[75orbust]

I am from MN and not sure if it is the same in other states but we need 3 personal references to apply for certification. I am not exactly sure who I should use- co-workers, old bosses, college professors, family friends? They need to have known you for two years, not be related to you, and know your professional qualifications, so that might narrow it down a little. Who did you guys all use?n

n

FAR-1/04- 86 KAPLAN Review
REG-5/12- 89 MN Licensed CPA
BEC-7/17- 81 ETHICS - 100
AUD-8/31- 85

[Oceanman]

I just used some family friends who own their own businesses, one of which was a CPA. It sounds the same but this was to apply for the exam. Although I don't have my NTS yet I was notified yesterday that I was qualified. Im in LA by the way.n

n

FAR-92
AUD-94
REG-87
BEC-(April)

[Anonymous]

First congrats on passing the Exam!!

n

If it were me I would use co-workers, current bosses, and previous bosses to the extent you have three before using family friends. If these individuals are CPA's even better. I believe using a work relationship for a reference looks more impartial than using a family friend.n

n

[75orbust]

Yeah thanks for the advice. Problem is I am pretty fresh out of college with just over a year at my cpa firm job, so most of my work relationships are not applicable because I have not known them for 2 years. And the majority of the people from my internships also fit into that category. I doubt they put a ton of stock into those anyway, the are probably a formality.n

n

FAR-1/04- 86 KAPLAN Review
REG-5/12- 89 MN Licensed CPA
BEC-7/17- 81 ETHICS - 100
AUD-8/31- 85

[Anonymous]

I moved from MN to PA a few years ago. When I applied to take the CPA Exam in PA they required that I have three references who have known me for at least three years. At the time I had worked for my current boss for less than 3 years. I wrote a short letter and mailed it in with my application. The letter basically stated why I used my current boss as a reference even though I had worked for him for less than 3 years. He was a cpa and I stated in the letter that he was the person I worked with on a daily basis and reported to directly. Of the three references PA required only one to be a CPA. So I chose my boss and included the letter. The other two references were personal (family friends). I'm not sure if they are more strict when actually applying for the CPA license rather than to take the exam.

n

You are right I think the reference part is just a formality. I'm sure they are way more interested in making sure you have the work experience met.n

n

[Oceanman]

I just used some family friends who own their own businesses, one of which was a CPA. It sounds the same but this was to apply for the exam. Although I don't have my NTS yet I was notified yesterday that I was qualified. Im in LA by the way.

FAR-92
AUD-94
REG-87
BEC-(April)

[Anonymous]

First congrats on passing the Exam!!

If it were me I would use co-workers, current bosses, and previous bosses to the extent you have three before using family friends. If these individuals are CPA's even better. I believe using a work relationship for a reference looks more impartial than using a family friend.

[75orbust]

Yeah thanks for the advice. Problem is I am pretty fresh out of college with just over a year at my cpa firm job, so most of my work relationships are not applicable because I have not known them for 2 years. And the majority of the people from my internships also fit into that category. I doubt they put a ton of stock into those anyway, the are probably a formality.

FAR-1/04- 86 KAPLAN Review
REG-5/12- 89 MN Licensed CPA
BEC-7/17- 81 ETHICS - 100
AUD-8/31- 85

[Anonymous]

I moved from MN to PA a few years ago. When I applied to take the CPA Exam in PA they required that I have three references who have known me for at least three years. At the time I had worked for my current boss for less than 3 years. I wrote a short letter and mailed it in with my application. The letter basically stated why I used my current boss as a reference even though I had worked for him for less than 3 years. He was a cpa and I stated in the letter that he was the person I worked with on a daily basis and reported to directly. Of the three references PA required only one to be a CPA. So I chose my boss and included the letter. The other two references were personal (family friends). I'm not sure if they are more strict when actually applying for the CPA license rather than to take the exam.

You are right I think the reference part is just a formality. I'm sure they are way more interested in making sure you have the work experience met.

[Author]

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