[Anonymous]

I’m starting to think that the TNBOA has decided that since I’m accustomed to waiting on test scores, that must mean I’m totally comfortable with the idea of waiting on my initial licensure packet. Here’s a brief recap of what I’ve done since I passed during the first window of ’11.

Passed the ethics exam during the first week of April.

Called the TNBOA 2 times in order to inquire about the whereabouts of my licensure packet.

Emailed the TNBOA a copy of my work experience affidavit.

Results of my efforts – nada… so friends, here’s my question to you. What is the longest anyone has ever had to wait in order to receive their licensure packet?

[jjm1181]

Does anyone know if Tennessee requires work experience in a CPA firm or anything like that to get licensed? I keep seeing posts where other states require this and when I look at their state requirements, I don't see that listed. So now I'm worrying that Tennessee might have the same requirement and I didn't know it. As far as I know, all Tennessee applicants need are credit hours. Anyone know?

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[yankeeaccountant]

@jjm1181

Yes Tennessee requires experience hours. Here is the info:

Experience Requirements

The experience requirements as outlined in T.C.A. Section 62-1-106(j) include: • Providing services or advice using accounting, attest, management advisory, financial

advisory, tax or consulting skills • Employment in industry, government, academia or public practice • No fewer than 2000 hours of experience earned in no less than one year or more than

three years • Experience must have been accrued within the ten years immediately preceding the

application for certification • Licensees who wish to sign reports on financial statements on behalf of a firm must

provide two years of experience in the last ten years in compilations, reviews, and audits.

The address is:

https://tn.gov/commerce/boards/tnsba/documents/CPA%20Requirements.pdf

Good luck!

[katiekanton]

Yes, you must “complete one year of experience in accounting acceptable to the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy”.

The TN requirements are:

*150 credit hours

*24 hours accounting

*24 hours business

*pass CPA exam

*pass Ethics exam with a 90% or better

*one year experience

https://www.tn.gov/commerce/boards/tnsba/documents/CPA%20Requirements.pdf

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[katiekanton]

That's funny Yankee… you posted yours while I was typing mine and we both found the same document. Jinx.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[yankeeaccountant]

@jjm1181

I forgot to mention that the state has an affidavit that you can complete if you have your hours already finished. I just submitted mine last week. I had to have the firm that I had gotten my hours with sign off on the form.

[jjm1181]

Thanks yankeeaccountant. I've held an accounting position in corporate america for 5+ years. No public experience. So if I read that correctly then I am good to go unless I want to sign financial statements at which point I would need public experience. Is that right?

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[yankeeaccountant]

@katie

LOL!!

[yankeeaccountant]

I think the only caveat is did you work under a CPA? The form needs to be affirmed by a CPA. Here is the link to the form :

https://www.tn.gov/commerce/boards/tnsba/documents/ExperienceAffidavit.pdf

Hope that helps!

[katiekanton]

jjm1181, I could be wrong, but the way I read that is if you want to be an auditor and sign the reports (on financial statements), you have to have two years of experience in audits and reviews in the last ten years.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[yankeeaccountant]

@katie

you owe me a coke!!

[katiekanton]

I do! I'm about 2 minutes behind you on each post!

_____________________

So guys, I think I'm understanding that if we want to move this process along and get our application packets ASAP after passing, I need to go ahead and take the Ethics exam say in early December and get it out of the way, and get my affidavit ready? Is that it?

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[jjm1181]

I did have 2+ years under a CPA. Looks like I'll be making a phone call tomorrow to clarify :). I just want the designation as I don't plan on ever working for a public firm.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[yankeeaccountant]

@katie

That is my plan. I submitted my affidavit last week, and I am taking REG and Audit this window (hopefully to finish!!) so that I can move this process along.

Have you checked into the material for the Ethics? Is it all online or is there a book to order?

[katiekanton]

I have looked into it, but didn't really find a definite answer. I know you'll find this shocking but the TN website can sometimes be less than straightforward. When you look up “ethics exam” it says “The AICPA ethics exam can be accessed at…” and it gives a link to the AICPA website and the TSCPA website.

The TSCPA link appears to be a seminar on a specific date at a specific location, but what's confusing is that at the bottom you choose CD or Book. Do you get those first and read them and then take the exam on the 31st? Or is the 31st a seminar to help you fill out the open book test later on your own? Anyway, it's $119. The AICPA link takes you to the AICPA store where it looks like you can buy the cd or book for $148.

I'm cheap, so I may do the seminar on the 31st. Really, I can't think of a better way to spend New Year's Eve, can you?

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

@katiekanton & @yankeeaccountant

The AICPA & the TSCPA are both offered in a book format or a cd format. Even though the TSCPA says it is a seminar, that is not true, it is the same test that is offered through AICPA, which you take at home and submit the scores online. I was confused about this also so I called to clarify. As I stated in an earlier post you work the the questions that are provided in the book (or cd) and then enter you answers online at the website provided and then you will immediately get you score. You need to get at least 90% on the test and have 3 attempts at doing so.

Hope this helps.

[Author]

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