[Anonymous]

I’ve been out of the industry for over 14 years but prior to that, I worked for 11 years in accounting and finance. My boss at my last job was laid off 6 months before I was. I was able to track him down via linked in and I sent him a polite request to fill out the one page experience form for VA for me. I have not heard back and cant get in touch with him any other way.

My experience before HIM was over 20 years ago and frankly I dont even remember my boss’s name at that company! I never expected to be going back to the corporate world so I dont even have copies of my old resumes (thats another problem for another day)

sooo… what the heck do I do? My husband suggested the old fashioned way – send him a fed letter with a SASE to return the form.

[MaLoTu]

I find that even though people have an LI account they do not check it regularly. I have gotten connection acceptances that I sent months ago … that I had forgotten about! This may be the case. I would say that your husband's advice may be the only option on the table right now.

[Missy]

How long ago did you message him on LinkedIn? You may just need to be a bit more patient.

Hate to say it but you may just have to find a job to get the experience requirement if worse comes to worse. If you don't remember names from 20 years ago, a boss from 14 years ago may not remember enough of your experience to sign off on it, kwim?

Keep trying through LinkedIn though……..

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I worked closely with him for six years as a direct report – I would hope that would be enough! I really dont want to have to go through a year's work just to get my license when I HAVE the experience ya know?

[Anonymous]

I hear you. I'm in a similar situation. I've only been with my current job for 8 months but I work under a CPA so she's signed off all of the forms she can. But going back to my old company who I was with for 8 years has not been fun.

The one manager who I worked under for 6 years and was my “sure thing” to sign off on my experience is on holiday in Europe right now and won't be back for another week or two (she's retired now).

I reached out her superviosr on LinkedIn and she added me as a connection. I messaged her my situation and asked her to sign off but haven't heard back yet and it's been a week…

Sacked up and contacted my last supervisor who was the one who laid me off for “budget” reasons. She actually agreed to sign my form and she dropped it in the mail. But I'm paranoid and haven't gotten it yet (she only sent it out yesterday) so I won't feel comfortable until it's actually in my hands.

Spent 8 freaking years at that company and not too happy how things have played out. Mostly because I'm impatient and want my license now. Worst case is sticking it out here until September but I HAVE the experience. I just can't prove it since it's been a pain finding someone to sign the stupid form. Anyway, hopefully I do, in fact, get my form back today and I can move on.

[Anonymous]

Allegra, you're lucky VA doesn't appear to have any cap on how long ago your experience happened.

In Oregon, “…qualifying experience and successful completion of the CPA exam must be obtained within 8 years immediately preceding the date of the application.”

[Anonymous]

yeah I know! I dont want them to change the rule and get stuck with having to get experience again!! lol

[Author]

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