[fivehurdles]

I think I’m hosed —

n

Florida’s work experience requirement is stated as follows from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation:

n

ONE YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE: Must be under the supervision of a licensed CPA (This experience can be obtained prior to the application, while sitting for the exam or after all four parts of the exam has been passed. However, requirements to sit for the exam must be met before work experience commences.)

n

I’ve worked fifteen years under three different CPAs, but as an accounting professional with a BSBA in Finance. I finished up my 150 hour requirement with accounting courses to made me eligible for the exam in December of 2009.

n

In contacting the DBPR, I have confirmed that the that “clock” for work experience began for me upon completion of my last accounting course – December of 2009. My experience prior to that does not count with regard to the requirement.

n

The issue I have is that I’m a 44-year-old Controller with a firm here in Florida – the highest ranking finance professional on staff. I think I’ll need to get a different job working under a CPA in order to meet the requirement.

n

I don’t believe the intent of the work experience requirement was to put an individual into a situation where they would need to leave their current position in order to meet the requirement. But it seems right now that it will be the only option I have.

n

Has anyone else out there run into this issue? Any advice?

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Thanks!n

n

2011 Results:
BEC 65 83
AUD 57
FAR 30 (Can you get any worse) (11/10)
REG 70

2015-16 Results:
BEC 78
AUD 77
REG 76
FAR June 10

[Anonymous]

I believe NY allows professionals with 15-years experience to sit for the exam and subsequently obtain licensure. FL may potentially have something similar. Alternatively, obtain your license in another state and check reciprocity with FL. But if you're in industry, it normally doesn't matter which state you hold a licence.

n

Good luck!n

n

[Anonymous]

I believe NY allows professionals with 15-years experience to sit for the exam and subsequently obtain licensure. FL may potentially have something similar. Alternatively, obtain your license in another state and check reciprocity with FL. But if you're in industry, it normally doesn't matter which state you hold a licence.

n

Good luck!n

n

[suzzette1]

@fivehurdles

n

I believe we are in the same boat, I was a Controller for 6 years of 3 companies and was the highest ranking in management next to our CEO (owner) who is a non CPA. I called up the CA Board of Accountancy to inquire if they will consider my prior experience and if they acknowledge my experienced as a licensed CPA in the Philippines since 1987. The staff informed me that my previous work experienced must be supervised by a licensed CPA here in the US and it means that I have to start from scratch! Now I am looking for a job in public accounting so I can get a license here in CA.n

n

BEC 2/8/10 - 75 (studied hard & prayed less)
REG 5/15/10 - 88 (studied less but prayed hard)
AUDITING 8/9/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard)
FAR 11/30/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard) Thanks GOD! I'm DONE

[suzzette1]

@fivehurdles

n

I believe we are in the same boat, I was a Controller for 6 years of 3 companies and was the highest ranking in management next to our CEO (owner) who is a non CPA. I called up the CA Board of Accountancy to inquire if they will consider my prior experience and if they acknowledge my experienced as a licensed CPA in the Philippines since 1987. The staff informed me that my previous work experienced must be supervised by a licensed CPA here in the US and it means that I have to start from scratch! Now I am looking for a job in public accounting so I can get a license here in CA.n

n

BEC 2/8/10 - 75 (studied hard & prayed less)
REG 5/15/10 - 88 (studied less but prayed hard)
AUDITING 8/9/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard)
FAR 11/30/10 - 79 (studied hard and prayed hard) Thanks GOD! I'm DONE

[vaponte]

HI there, my problem here is a little bit different. I met the working experience requirement because I have been working under the supervision of a CPA since I took my last graduate course and was also approved to take the CPA exam. However, when I submitted the form including my current boss (a FL CPA) certifying the experience, I heard that the Florida Board of Accountancy is going to be rejecting it because my boss has a delinquent status on his license even thought is still active (his license went to delinquent status in 12/31/2010), the last day she certified the year working under her supervision. I don't know if this is going to be a big issue, probably need to wait until she fixes it or if I need to look for my previous supervisor signature to certify the working experience. I don't know what to do, this is a never ending story…n

n

AUD 83 (04/18/10)
REG 77 (07/03/10)
BEC 79 (08/30/10)
FAR 77 (11/27/10)

[vaponte]

HI there, my problem here is a little bit different. I met the working experience requirement because I have been working under the supervision of a CPA since I took my last graduate course and was also approved to take the CPA exam. However, when I submitted the form including my current boss (a FL CPA) certifying the experience, I heard that the Florida Board of Accountancy is going to be rejecting it because my boss has a delinquent status on his license even thought is still active (his license went to delinquent status in 12/31/2010), the last day she certified the year working under her supervision. I don't know if this is going to be a big issue, probably need to wait until she fixes it or if I need to look for my previous supervisor signature to certify the working experience. I don't know what to do, this is a never ending story…n

n

AUD 83 (04/18/10)
REG 77 (07/03/10)
BEC 79 (08/30/10)
FAR 77 (11/27/10)

[jenbee9]

@fivehurdles – I am afraid I might have the same issue. I'm a FL candidate with only REG to go. I, too, am a Controller and have worked under a CPA for eight years. However, depending on when they determine the commencement date of my work experience, I could be short. I applied to take the exam about the same time as you. At that time, the requirement to sit was 120 hours. So my question is – wouldn't the clock start when you met the requirements to sit, not necessarily your last accounting course? Please let me know if you have received any additional information from the state or if you have anything else to share. Thanks.n

n

[jenbee9]

@fivehurdles – I am afraid I might have the same issue. I'm a FL candidate with only REG to go. I, too, am a Controller and have worked under a CPA for eight years. However, depending on when they determine the commencement date of my work experience, I could be short. I applied to take the exam about the same time as you. At that time, the requirement to sit was 120 hours. So my question is – wouldn't the clock start when you met the requirements to sit, not necessarily your last accounting course? Please let me know if you have received any additional information from the state or if you have anything else to share. Thanks.n

n

[Anonymous]

RE: FL licensing. Does anyone know (have ideas?) if you are an IL Licensed CPA can you transfer as work exp work that you did while you were operating your own CPA practice (as sole prop)?… or, do you need to go and work for some other Licensed CPA (which sounds crazy)… but???

n

I want to move to FL (from IL) in ~2-3 yrs, and it sounds like I'm going to get tripped up w/the work exp req?n

n

[Anonymous]

RE: FL licensing. Does anyone know (have ideas?) if you are an IL Licensed CPA can you transfer as work exp work that you did while you were operating your own CPA practice (as sole prop)?… or, do you need to go and work for some other Licensed CPA (which sounds crazy)… but???

n

I want to move to FL (from IL) in ~2-3 yrs, and it sounds like I'm going to get tripped up w/the work exp req?n

n

[fivehurdles]

Hi Jenbee

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You are correct I believe — the clock starts when you've met your requirements to sit. For me, that was with the completion of my last accounting course.

n

I have a different route than most as my B.S is in Finance – my 120 hours there do not meet the 120 hours required to sit. I achieved my requirements to sit by taking all the required accounting courses and met my 150 hour requirement by taking these additional classes. I could have a second B.S. in Accounting if I took 8 more hours.

n

I think I'll just stick to the CPA

n

fivehurdlesn

n

2011 Results:
BEC 65 83
AUD 57
FAR 30 (Can you get any worse) (11/10)
REG 70

2015-16 Results:
BEC 78
AUD 77
REG 76
FAR June 10

[fivehurdles]

Hi Jenbee

n

You are correct I believe — the clock starts when you've met your requirements to sit. For me, that was with the completion of my last accounting course.

n

I have a different route than most as my B.S is in Finance – my 120 hours there do not meet the 120 hours required to sit. I achieved my requirements to sit by taking all the required accounting courses and met my 150 hour requirement by taking these additional classes. I could have a second B.S. in Accounting if I took 8 more hours.

n

I think I'll just stick to the CPA

n

fivehurdlesn

n

2011 Results:
BEC 65 83
AUD 57
FAR 30 (Can you get any worse) (11/10)
REG 70

2015-16 Results:
BEC 78
AUD 77
REG 76
FAR June 10

[jenbee9]

Fivehurdles – I went the exact same route. My B.S. is in Finance and went back to get the required accounting courses and ended up with a B.A. in accounting. This has been a long, long process. At this point I am tired of studying and just want my life back! Also, it doesn't help that the FL licensing requirements are a moving target. Good Luck!n

n

[jenbee9]

Fivehurdles – I went the exact same route. My B.S. is in Finance and went back to get the required accounting courses and ended up with a B.A. in accounting. This has been a long, long process. At this point I am tired of studying and just want my life back! Also, it doesn't help that the FL licensing requirements are a moving target. Good Luck!n

n

[NJCPA2B]

fivehurdles, It's great you were able to get a job as a controller without an accounting degree.

n

My friend who moved to Florida 2 years ago switched careers back to accounting and passed the CPA exam and sent in his application. Flordia accepted the Experience he got from an employer 12 years ago, actually wasn't even his actual supervisor who signed-off on the experiece. However, he's short 12 upper accounting credit to get his CPA license.

n

My point, if you got your degree in accounting and graduated with 120 credits, you can sit in Florida, but to be licensed you need 150 credits.

n

Maybe you can stay in your current job and hire a licensed CPA and wait a year and then have him sign off on your experience.n

n

BEC=77, FAR=78, REG=73,74,80, AUD=70,69, 84 DONE!

[Author]

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