[memp567]

I am a Junior at a great University and currently have two excellent internships. However, I still manage to act like a complete idiot and was caught by the police drinking 4 months away from my 21st birthday. Long story short, I ended up at the magistrate. I have not formally received an underage yet. I have community service and a few other things to do then the judge plans on re-visiting the case in 3 months. There is a very good chance this will not appear on my record and I will have no underage charges associated with my name, however, on the off chance that I do receive an underage am I still eligible to sit for the CPA exam? If so, would this be a huge deal to employers? It is only an underage charge there is no drunken disorderly charge or anything like that. Thanks I appreciate the help. I have been a nervous wreck for weeks that I flushed my entire future down the drain.

[acamp]

I believe misdemeanors need to be disclosed but do not necessarily prohibit you from getting a license, a felony on the other hand would be a different story.

Not sure if this charge would even result in a misdemeanor but I've seen other threads where people with DUIs (a misdemeanor) get licensed without an issue, and I would imagine minor drinking is in the same area if not less.

I would imagine if you keep clean until your next hearing they will let it go, so dont do anything stupid!

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I believe misdemeanors need to be disclosed but do not necessarily prohibit you from getting a license, a felony on the other hand would be a different story.

Not sure if this charge would even result in a misdemeanor but I've seen other threads where people with DUIs (a misdemeanor) get licensed without an issue, and I would imagine minor drinking is in the same area if not less.

I would imagine if you keep clean until your next hearing they will let it go, so dont do anything stupid!

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[impska]

1. It's hard to believe that an underage drinking charge will be a big deal to anyone. I've heard some firms care about DUIs, but if you weren't driving, don't worry too much. I've never heard of something like that preventing a person from getting licensed as a CPA.

2. The judge is revisiting your case in 3 months, which is a clear sign that he/she intends on dismissing this charge if you stay out of trouble and do your service.

So follow the requirements (and any optional recommendations) to a T. Miss no deadlines, don't skip even a single hour of community service. Give it your all and aim for a recommendation from a supervisor on your service. Then go to your hearing and tell the judge how contrite you are and how concerned you are that this will interfere with your ability to get a job as an accountant.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[impska]

1. It's hard to believe that an underage drinking charge will be a big deal to anyone. I've heard some firms care about DUIs, but if you weren't driving, don't worry too much. I've never heard of something like that preventing a person from getting licensed as a CPA.

2. The judge is revisiting your case in 3 months, which is a clear sign that he/she intends on dismissing this charge if you stay out of trouble and do your service.

So follow the requirements (and any optional recommendations) to a T. Miss no deadlines, don't skip even a single hour of community service. Give it your all and aim for a recommendation from a supervisor on your service. Then go to your hearing and tell the judge how contrite you are and how concerned you are that this will interfere with your ability to get a job as an accountant.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Texas CPA]

I am thankful the drinking age was 19 when I was in college.

If underage drinking precluded employment, there would be very little hiring. As long as it was not a DWI, then I would think you are ok.

As someone who hires employees, I might ask about it just to make sure there was nothing else there. Otherwise, on a scale of 1 – 10 of criminal offenses, I would consider college age underage drinking a 1.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[Texas CPA]

I am thankful the drinking age was 19 when I was in college.

If underage drinking precluded employment, there would be very little hiring. As long as it was not a DWI, then I would think you are ok.

As someone who hires employees, I might ask about it just to make sure there was nothing else there. Otherwise, on a scale of 1 – 10 of criminal offenses, I would consider college age underage drinking a 1.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[samdiegoCPA]

Nope. I got an underage drinking violation when I was also 4 months from turning 21. The cops singled me out in a crowd of thousands on the beach when we could drink on the beach in San Diego! Rude! Anyway, I totally forgot about that til now and I am 1 exam away from being done.

Also, tons of underage drinking tickets are given out. Some of my most successful friends got them, and nothing has ever happened regarding employment, certification, licensing, etc. It is an extremely tiny charge. I just had to pay a fine and done.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[samdiegoCPA]

Nope. I got an underage drinking violation when I was also 4 months from turning 21. The cops singled me out in a crowd of thousands on the beach when we could drink on the beach in San Diego! Rude! Anyway, I totally forgot about that til now and I am 1 exam away from being done.

Also, tons of underage drinking tickets are given out. Some of my most successful friends got them, and nothing has ever happened regarding employment, certification, licensing, etc. It is an extremely tiny charge. I just had to pay a fine and done.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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