[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for helping me get through these exams!

I have officially passed all four parts of the exam and in the process of applying for a non-reporting CPA license though Massachusetts (https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/docs/dpl/boards/pa/apnonrep.pdf). I am opting for the non-reporting designation due to the fact that I am not working at an accounting firm, but in a corporate role (accounting/finance). Since I have my Masters in Accounting I am able to bypass the 1000 hour requirement. The non-reporting license works for me as I don’t ever intend on issuing reports on financial statements in my career.

I am currently applying in MA, but my job will be relocating me to Indiana in the next 3-4 months. Has anyone had any luck transferring a non-reporting license to a state that does not offer a non-reporting license? It would be a shame if I put in all this hard work and I wasn’t able to transfer the license.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

hey, i also just got my non-reporting license in MA. Join me for the facebook, so we can discuss the CPE requirement. Find me at XIN YI LIANG

[latenight]

I'm getting mine in MA too because an MBA will allow me to bypass the experience requirement (although I have already met the experience requirement in New York State). I just don't want to go through the hassle of verifying the experience because I no longer live in New York and won't be practicing there. I live in Connecticut but miss the educational requirements by 3 credit hours. They want 36 in accounting, I have 33 in accounting.

I see that Arizona will accept an MA license as substantially equivalent. So, some states (at least one) will it appears.

AUD - 87
BEC - 76
FAR - 96
REG - 94

[Anonymous]

I moved from NY to MA last year. Does anyone if MA knows if the board accepts on-line class from UCLA extension to complete the 150 hrs. requirement? I know I can call but …. if anyone knows ???

[mgnyc]

I know this is an old post, but does anyone have any more info on what it's like to have a non reporting license?

I don't live or work in Massachusetts and I don't work in Public and I don't work under a CPA in industry so I was thinking of getting the non reporting just so I could put the letters CPA on my resume. The rest is details.

@AECR, is you new position public? If not why would it matter if you can transfer your license?

Aud 73, 79
Reg 70, 60, 67, 76
Far 70, 66, 72, 87
Bec 77

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a Colorado, education in lieu of experience license? I'm on my own now as a tax practitioner (EA), so don't really see a future with a CPA writing off my experience. I'd still like to have a CPA license from somewhere, but don't really need it to practice.

[HighMileageDude]

Hi I am also interested in a non-reporting CPA license in Massachusetts. one of the things I'm concerned about,just like the first poster, is the mobility. This website indicates that Massachusetts is a state with lots of mobility (can get it there and practice in many other states).

But Let's say I get the non-reporting license in MA & then I relocate to another state looking for an accounting job. If my CPA license is non-reporting, is it restricted such that I can't put it after my name on my resume in that state where I'm applying for a job?

Thanks very much in advance.

[HighMileageDude]

@earob my understanding is that a Massachusetts license (may have to be an unrestricted full reporting?) has a lot more mobility than a Colorado one

Check https://www.cpamobility.org/

For most states, with a CPA license in Massachusetts, it says and I quote:

“Individual mobility is available (with no further filing or fee) if you hold an active unrestricted CPA license in your principal place of business. ‘CPA license' means a CPA license granted by the state board after all education, exam and experience requirements have been met.”

So is a non-reporting Massachusetts CPA license unrestricted? And if you obtained a non-reporting CPA license because you didn't have the experience, is the CPA designation recognized in other states? (such as CO)?

[neika822]

Any updates on this? I'm 13 days short of a year of public experience (shoot me!), so I'll be getting a non-reporting license. To answer a question above, I believe a non-reporting license IS a restricted license.

There's not too much information out there for us to learn more.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[HighMileageDude]

Any updates on this?

[HighMileageDude]

I called and spoke with someone at NASBA about this. They said as long as it's an active CPA license you should be fine.

[HighMileageDude]

A non-reporting CPA license in Massachusetts is an attractive option for someone who passed all 4 exams and just wants the CPA title but isn't going to actually sign off on financial statements until he/she gets the 1000 attest hours.

I hold a non-reporting in MA, and to be honest, I still really have no idea what the answer to this question is. I should know in a few weeks. When I call the state board where I'm seeking reciprocal licensure, they tell me to call NASBA. The NASBA person gave me great news, but I just hope he/she understood my circumstances with non-reporting. ….just told me simply that as long as the MA license is active (well, of course it's active, but it's a non-reporting license (restricted right?) in MA even?) then it should be fine?

I did some quick research on my own so I know Massachusetts is considered a SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT state, which basically means that if you go elsewhere, as long as the Massachusetts CPA license (even a restricted non-reporting? are they sure? im not so sure) is active and in good standing, you're fine. Even a non-reporting license is a “license to practice,” not just a certificate like the kind given in 2-tier states, right?

Reciprocity says:

“Holds an active license from a substantially equivalent jurisdiction”

[HighMileageDude]

The following is copied and pasted from NASBA website…

https://www.nasba.org/licensure/substantialequivalency/

Substantially Equivalent States

The National Qualification Appraisal Service has found the following jurisdictions to have CPA licensure requirements that are substantially equivalent to those of the UAA.

Alabama*

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California**

CNMI

Colorado**

Connecticut*

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Guam

Hawaii*

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas*

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana*

Nebraska*

Nevada

New Hampshire**

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma*

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont**

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

* These states are two-tier. A certificate is initially obtained which does not allow the individual full privileges as a CPA. After additional requirements are met, the certificate holder may receive a license or permit. Only those CPAs holding an active license or permit are considered substantially equivalent.

** These states currently have more than one path to licensure, with at least one path meeting the 3E criteria of the UAA (baccalaureate degree or higher with 150 semester hours, minimum 1 year experience and Uniform CPA Examination). Based on their current laws/rules, these states have passed legislation terminating the alternative paths within the time limits set forth by the UAA. (The ** notation is informational and does not affect a state’s current SE status. At such time as the alternate paths to licensure expire and the 3E criteria is the sole path to licensure in these states, the ** notation will be removed.)

[mla1169]

I seriously doubt any state would consider a non reporting license to be “substantially equivalent”. Bottom line is its not. Besides everyone and their brother would be jumping on this loophole.

For what its worth I hold a non reporting license in MA

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[HighMileageDude]

Both Colorado and Massachusetts allow one with 150 credits and a Masters to become licensed.

Colorado has the education in lieu of experience option for new applicants.

Massachusetts gives a non-reporting license, which has all the benefits of a CPA, except you can't sign off on reports.

So, basically, we're saying if you get a non-reporting license in MA, is it going to be impossible to become licensed in another state without first getting those 1000 hours to upgrade oneself to a full-reporting license in MA?

[neika822]

Try it, and let us know 🙂

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Author]

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