[Anonymous]

Hi There

I would like to know from people that pass the exam did they have any difficulty getting their experience sign off by their former employer when you left the firm? If you did what did you do to get the problem resolved. Does the former employer required to sign off on the experiences or not? Thank you for your advice.

[ImaCPA168]

I don't know about all the various firms out there but if it's a Big 4 or mid-tier, then there should not be any problem with them signing off. Meaning they should not deny you if you have fulfilled the minimum requirements.

I worked at a Big 4 and did mine right before I left. I had friends who did it after. No one who met the requirements got denied. But sometimes it can be a lengthy wait. I heard that at my firm the person who did it only did it a couple times a year (say every 2 or 3 months). They would accumulate a stack of sign-off requests and then do them all at once. So depending on when we submitted our paperwork, we could be waiting a couple months or just a couple of days.

If you haven't left your firm yet, do it before you leave. If you are thinking about leaving, then get the process rolling ASAP. It takes more work and effort from you to do it after you are no longer with the firm. It's harder to track people down and follow up when you're not working at the same place or for them to contact you if they have questions. And it's just human nature that if something is hard, we put it off and it takes longer to do.

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[Anonymous]

Only one response from all the viewers out there. Common guys!! It hard to believe that anyone will stay at a firm until they pass the CPA exam just to have their experience get sign off. Advice from all viewers is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

In California you can file a complaint with the state board if employer (and I assume former employer) refuses to sign off.

[Author]

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