[Jun]

I recently got my CPA License from Illinois, but all they provide is a pretty ugly certificate you can print out, that has colours bleeding, a barcode, and an expiry date. I was hoping to get a real certificate saying that I’m a CPA, that I could frame and mount. Do you know if there is any other option? I’ve tried with ILBOA and IDFPR and both say there is nothing they can provide other than that ugly paper I can print myself.

Thanks.

[Recked]

Don't worry, NASBA is there to take MORE of your money.

https://nasbastore.org/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_4

Just realized that says for Colorado.
I don't see one specifically for IL, but I'm sure you can find a certificate company that will make one for you.

[Jun]

They list several states, but nothing for Illinois. I was hoping for something somewhat official, rather than making up something…

I suppose as a last result, I could just make a fake certificate it and frame it. It would just be nice if it was something that was awarded by NASBA, AICPA, or something like that.

[Recked]

The one in this frame looks pretty official. What does yours look like? The seal in the lower left hand corner?

[Recked]

Even the EA cert's look somewhat decent.
I ended up getting some “looks more expensive than it is” frame from walmart.com or amazon. Came with mahogany, matting and everything.

[Recked]

I see NASBA offers IQEX certs as well.

[Jun]

What Illinois sent me looks like the Illinois one you posted, but they now say I passed the CPA Exam, instead of saying I'm a CPA. Also the seal is a black and white print on the paper, not the actual seal. It's pretty small too. Overall, It's pretty lame compared to my other professional designations, and doesn't even acknowledge I'm a CPA (just that I passed “the CPA Examination”)

[Jun]

Thanks for the info though, much appreciated. Very kind of you to share all that.

[jenpen]

I was also recently licensed in Illinois. When I received my congratulatory email/letter, I was told I would receive my certificate in 6-8 weeks. I was just certified last month, so it hasn’t been 4 weeks yet and hasn’t arrived, and have no idea what it will look like. All that to say – I think you should get a certificate also, and not just the license. Hope this helps!

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Jun]

Hi Jennifer,

Congrats on passing BEC! Glad to see you made it through, after such a long road. You must be soooo happy.

So the Certificate is super basic/ugly, and just says you passed the CPA exam (doesn't say that you're a CPA).

The license is PDF where you can print it, and has dotted lines around so that you can cut it out. It also has a Blackberry type barcode and expiry date. Super hideous too.

Neither of those are worth wall-mounting. I'm looking into this now, but I think that I will get a membership with AICPA. They then send you a Certificate of Membership (you have to be a CPA to be a member), which appears to be more wall-mount worthy. This is the AICPA's official framing company, so I imagine this is what it looks like:

https://www.diplomaframe.com/aicpa/presidential-gold-engraved-certificate-frame-46939.aspx

I'll post back here if this works out well. I'm really hoping to get something nice to accompany my other designations…

[Go.For.Broke]

@Jen That's unfortunate your state prints an ugly certificate. I don't have a photo of mine to upload, but it's very nice (Georgia). The only option I can think of is that you join the AICPA or your state's society of CPAs, and perhaps you'd get a certificate for that, which may be nicer than the one you were issued.

[jenpen]

Yeah, I’ve got my license. We have to hang them in order to be available to the public or whatever, so my firm needed it for the wall collection.

My boss’ certificate says that he’s a certified professional accountant, and he said came already framed. Of course that was many years ago, so I’m not really expecting the frame. I wonder if it has something to do with you being international, Jun? I hope they didn’t change them too bad. I don’t want an ugly certificate in my office. :-/

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[aaronmo]

I felt like PA really did a nice job on it. I's simple, but dignified. I spent far too much on framing, but dang it looks good…and I earned a nice frame!

My parents got me this beautiful desk plaque with my name, CPA…I love it, but it looks a little pretentious.

[jenpen]

@aaronmo my husband got me a desk plaque, as well as a matching card holder thing with a clock and pen. It’s all too much, but I keep it on my desk anyway.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Jun]

I don't think it's because I'm international. When I reached out to them (both the ILBOA and IDFPR) they basically said that is all they provide anymore (changed from before). Their excuse is you can now just print it out.

I'm just going to go with the AICPA one. In my case, being Canadian, a certificate from AICPA will be more recognizable than the ILBOA or IDFPR anyway.

I'll let you know how it works out after.

That's very nice of your husband to get you that. My wife is a doctor, and I want to surprise her by framing her diplomas and hanging them near mine one day.

[aaronmo]

My (soon to be ex) wife announced we were done about a month before the license conferred. That was my gift 🙂

[Author]

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