[Anonymous]

HELP! So these new exam changes are really screwing with my plans. I’ll try to keep this short and sweet. Basically right now I live somewhere where I am very unhappy. The only reason I’m here at this point is for work. I have a good job but it can be boring at times and I would like to experience other work environments. I was going to wait until I was officially a CPA to start looking for new work and move somewhere I’ll be happier. Reasons for this is that I’m scared if I leave that the CPA where I work will not sign off on my work experience (as they have trusted me with a lot). Also I won’t get reimbursed for my last section until I pass. Fast forward to the exam changes… now I have to wait until AUGUST to even know if I’m going to pass? You can see how this throws a wrench in my life.

I have one exam left (retake) and I was going to rush getting it done in April, but I guess I mine as well take my time and make sure I am extremely comfortable with the material.

Anyways does anyone have any words for me?

[CJC14]

In my experience, what you are looking at as a wrench in your plan may be something bigger keeping you somewhere until your next path is ready for you. As long as you are not coming up to losing an exam credit I would take the extra time, get feedback from others who will be taking the exams with changes, and master the material so there is no doubt you will pass on the retake.

[Anonymous]

You are right. I should just make sure I pass this exam no matter what and just push my life plans back a little bit. It is just some rough news to receive considering the lack of happiness I have in my life right now.

[CJC14]

I've been there. I had a job with a horrible commute. I was desperate to get another job and was devastated when my dream job fell through. Turns out I need to stay at that job until I made it to the 5 year mark to be vested in their pension plan. I left the job shortly after I hit the 5 year mark and 3 years after I left I scored the EXACT same job that fell through and have now been there for 10 years. I just received a really nice payout from the pension plan to rollover into my retirement plan – all for staying there 5 years. You just don't know why you're being told “not right now”, but big picture it will work out.

[Jdn9201]

I feel for you, OP. Feel free to not answer, but is there something specific that is making you unhappy, or is it general boredom and the desire to try something new? Is there a specific reason or person that is drawing you away from where you are? I think personal happiness/well-being trumps CPA exams but it depends on what it is that's causing it, and whether or not it's to the point to where it's intolerable. Think about it this way – you may not like your boring job, but your boring job probably allows you more brainpower and time to study after work. The grass isn't always greener either. I wouldn't worry about exam reimbursement or your work experience – unless your boss hates you I doubt they'd have a problem signing off on it for you.
On the flip side, if it's a specific reason your desire to leave could motivate you to study harder and get done. From my experience, last year I had one part left and wanted to leave my current job to live close to my family again. I treated FAR as my ticket back home and it really helped to push me to get it done. Also, regarding reimbursement – be careful that it's no strings attached. Some companies require you to work x # of years after you receive tuition reimbursement, or you have to pay it back. If I were you, I'd either make yourself miserable for April or take the time you need to pass in August. I probably wouldn't make a move before then though. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Anonymous]

Your boss is legally required to sign off on your work experience in a timely fashion, so there is no need to worry about that part of it.

[Missy]

I'm not sure if a cpa is legally required in any state to sign off on work experience but it's certainly not legally required in all states. Op hang in there and keep your eye on the prize.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[ForgottenOne]

You DO NOT have to wait to pass all of the exam parts to get the experience form sign. As long as you have worked the required experience hours, you could ask them to fill it out now, save it, then turn it in whenever you r done with the exam

[Anonymous]

@jdn9201 I don't know anyone where I live.. I want to move closer to where I know people. Sounds like the same thing you had honestly.

@ForgottenOne Really?! That would actually open up a ton of options for me. Great news to hear.

[sweazy]

@ mla11692

I dont know about other states, but you'd have to answer to the State Board if you decide not to sign off on someone's experience here.

BEC: 77
AUD: 67, 85, 87
FAR: 74, 74, 79
REG: ___

[Missy]

I'm fairly sure in every state a supervisor that declines to sign experience would have to answer to the state board but that isn't the same as being legally required to sign. The board may want an explanation but that doesn't mean the supervisor will face any consequences for declining to sign. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to what an employer LEGALLY can and cannot do and its fairly unfortunate that people propagate these misconceptions online (i.e. your previous employer CAN'T give you a bad reference, they can as long as it is true, or an employer CAN'T fire you without warning, they can even if they don't like the color of your shirt that day). You'd be very disappointed to learn how few “rights” employees legally have.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Missy]

Wanted to add I take no delight in sharing the news that employees have almost no rights, I learned the hard way myself when I was terminated without cause by a less than moral boss and sure there were many attornies willing to take my case but the bottom line was IF I won the case, the award less my legal fees almost without a doubt would have been less than my severance and the attorney was very matter of fact that without proof of discrimination based on being a protected class it was almost certain I would lose. Sparked my interest in all things HR truth be told, and the more I study HR the more I realize how many of us operate under assumptions that are incorrect.

That said I'd assume 99.9% of employers would sign off on a current or former employees experience because its not worth dealing with having to explain another decision.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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