[nolan3387]

I tried researching, but I cannot quite find a concrete answer.

My friend says he has his CPA license, but he has NO public accounting experience. I heard there was talk about changing the rules so you didn’t have to have public experience, but I was not sure if it ever passed.

I have been working directly under the controller (who is a CPA) for three years. I have done multiple tasks related to audit, financial statements, J/E’s, variances, ect. I also worked public (Audit) for 4 months (realized that was not what I wanted)…

Anyway, my friends claims all you have to do is have 1 year accounting experience to obtain your license (could be either public or private).

My question is, does anyone have a concrete answer of whether this is true or not? Will my 3 years working directly under the controller qualify me to obtain my license after I pass my last exam??? OR, will I have to suck it up and go back to public to finish my “experience” requirements?

Again, this is for Michigan.

Thanks in advance for the replies!!!!!

AUD - 87
FAR - 82
BEC - 75 - Danced with the bubble and I won!!!!
REG - 73, 80

[Anonymous]

Good question. I just completed an application for a State of Michigan license. I had a couple years of public experience, but it's from 19 years ago so I'm not sure it would work anyway. However, there's a long list of things on the qualifying experience list that should help you qualify. Here are the ones that I am relying on:

From the State of Michigan:

Qualified experience is experience gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice in 1 or more of the following areas:

(n) Management and supervision of accounting functions and preparing financial statements for profit or nonprofit entities.

(o) Professional accounting-related work in a public accounting firm.

Source: http://www.michigan.gov/accountancy

I applied back in September, but the State won't receive my scores from NASBA until this week (very surprised that it's taken this long, BTW). My organization is audited every year, and the partner from the auditing firm called the State and talked with them and then had no problem signing my experience verification form. Hopefully I'll know within the next couple weeks if it fully meets the requirements, but all indications are good at this point.

[Anonymous]

Actually meant to delete item (p) above and include this one instead:

p) Other work generally associated with the profession of public accounting.

Anyways – check out the list on the State's website.

[nolan3387]

Thanks for the reply!!!

We are also audited every year, so I am thinking the assisting with that will meet one of the requirements. I also help with the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements. We have an overhead audit and a financial audit annually. I have assisted with both over the 3 years. Keep me updated on your license process, and thanks for the help!

AUD - 87
FAR - 82
BEC - 75 - Danced with the bubble and I won!!!!
REG - 73, 80

[Anonymous]

Good luck and go nail REG! Hopefully I'll hear something this week or next and I'll definitely let you know. The people at the State office have been very accessible and helpful, though they've had nothing really to report since they didn't have my score report yet.

[Mary 2496]

If you call the state board directly, they should be able to clarify for you. I know that I was confused on one issue related to Ohio and they had me speak with an official when I called the board, who cleared it right up.

[Anonymous]

@Nolan: Update – license number posted at State of Michigan as of today!

[MBAin2014]

Question on Michigan qualifying experience, does it need to be within a set period of time from passing the exam? State is closed today and curiosity is killing me. The experience from the last 8 years that qualifies is from a CPA my former employer is in a dispute with over inappropriate investment vehicles. Back in 2003-2005 I worked in a tax department preparing federal, state, and local returns. Passed all four parts of the exam between May and October of this year. Any feedback would be appreciated.

BEC 88 (05/14)
REG 91 (07/14)
AUD 83 (08/14)
FAR 90 (10/14)

[Author]

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