[Anonymous]

Say you pass all four sections of exam:

1) How long do you then have to get the relevant work experience before those passed sections are null and void?

2) What if after passing you go work in public practice but don’t ever work an audit?

3) What if after passing you go work in private practice?

Thanks.

[momto5]

It depends on what state you are in. I contacted the state of Wisconsin to ask the time period question, and they gave a vague “3-5 years” answer. Guess they only keep records that long if you don't apply for a license. They told me that the scores are not considered valid until the state boards accept them. Kinda scary, so hope I can find something soon.

Your other two questions depend on the state as well. Wisconsin also gives credit for industry and teaching, so I don't believe participating in an audit is absolutely required. Check your state licensing board website for information.

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Anonymous]

Very good question – when my husband was going to get transferred to Oregon (we live in WA) I contacted the board there to see what I could do and their answer was I had 8 years to get the experience… so I think momto5 is correct in that it depends on your state board. I would contact them. I'm in the same boat as you and my husband did not get transferred so I need to contact WA state board and see what their answer is.

[Anonymous]

oh as for the other two questions you just need to work under an active licensed CPA from your state doesn't matter if it's private or public

[Anonymous]

You guys are right. I looked at my board's website (I'm in CA) and the work requirements beyond the exam are very general –no explicit mention of having to get audit hours or even work in public accounting.

That's surprising to me! Doesn't seem like a CPA designation would signify the same level of utility if all someone's ever done is work in an internal accounting department. I'm always asking people I meet who are CPAs “do you/did you work in audit or tax?,” and no one I've talked to has ever replied “neither. I got my CPA license while working in an A/R department.”

Anyways good to know. I just want the darn three letters on my business card so maybe I'll broaden my job search. Thanks everyone 🙂

[momto5]

@C_P_A_Hopeful28 – I DO work in the A/R department and for Wisconsin I don't believe that is appropriate experience. Wisconsin does not accept lower level accounting work or simple tax preparation; it needs to be higher level accounting, like being a corporate accountant (where I work anyway). Plus you have to be working under a CPA that can sign off on your hours. Just make sure to ask the right questions in your job search. I am currently on a job search as well, looking at small CPA firms. Good luck!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[acamp]

For California, this is the response I received from the CBA:

“Thank you for your email. After you have passed all four parts of the CPA exam, your exam scores will never expire and are good for life. You may apply for Licensure at anytime after you have received your official “Pass” letter from the CBA indicating that you have passed.”

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Oh and to your other question: For California there is a general license and a license with attest. The general is very general, 1 or 2 years of experience (depending on 120 units or 150 units of college) can be in just about any kind of accounting–from complicated corporate to small and unsophisticated so long as a CPA signs off that you completed the time requirement. So far as I remember there is no real specific areas that need to be signed off, whereas the attest side requires that a lot of different attest functions be completed.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

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