[DoubleBogey]

I work in private and there are no CPAs at my place of employment. The state code says I need to work 2 years in such a field. Does that 2 years start after I have passed the entire exam? What kind of CPA type work should I be doing to fulfill the work requirements? (I work for a small company so there are not big departments- 3 people in Accounting).

[alloverit]

Check with your state board.

The general rule is that you need 1-2 years of accounting under the supervision of a CPA. It can be fulfilled before or after passing the exam.

In your case, you would need to fulfill the requirement after passing the exam, unless there is a CPA working in another office that routinely reviews your work. That doesn't appear to be the case, however, if I'm understanding your situation correctly.

[Kodiak]

Definitely check on this because it is usually experience under a CPA which means a CPA has to sign off on your application.

[DoubleBogey]

The only CPAs we have that review any work are the auditors. I tried to get them to hire me first but they weren't hiring since they had a batch of fresh interns arriving at the time

[alloverit]

Okay.

Again, I would check with the state board to see if that's okay. If they're external auditors I'm guessing not. But checking with the board is a MUST!

Because if you can't find someone who is acceptable to sign off on your experience you might have to actually switch jobs…not a decision to be taken lightly.

[Recked]

Check out the NASBA experience verification service. Your state may or may not accept it.

[DoubleBogey]

This is what the state board says under the CPE section.

(2)  The following shall be deemed the equivalent of 
one year of experience in public accounting:  Two years' 
full­time employment in the accounting field in industry, 
business, government or college teaching; or any combination of 
the above; or any combination of the above and experience in 
public accounting. Such experience in industry, business, 
government or college teaching must be properly supervised, have 
sufficient quality and depth, and meet one of the following 
criteria for the duration of that qualifying experience: 
(a)  For qualifying experience in industry or business, 
the candidate must have been employed by a person or entity in 
the performance of duties primarily involving the use of 
financial accounting and auditing skills; the installation of 
internal control systems; the use of management advisory, 
financial advisory, or consulting skills; or compliance with 
accounting aspects of tax or regulatory laws. 

[Recked]

Find the experience verification form and read the instructions.
See if there is a requirement that the supervisor be a CPA licensed in your state.

[DoubleBogey]

@Recked I am in AL so NASBA doesn't handle my jurisdiction. I have a few months to figure it out. I just passed my first section in March and only have 120 CR hrs, but if I pass the two sections I take this window then I'll really be needing to know. Also, my state board is very hard to catch and talk to over the phone, and is located 3 hours from where I live.

[Recked]

Did you just choose to ignore this part????

https://www.asbpa.alabama.gov/PDF/rules/30-X-5-.06.pdf
For the purposes of this section “public accounting shall mean full-time employment by a public accounting firm as a staff accountant and supervised by a practicing certified public accountant or registered public accountant holding a valid permit to practice in this or any other state. In addition, experience as a registered public accountant shall qualify as public accounting experience.

From my reading of that text it appears you need to be supervised by a CPA licensed in your state.

[Recked]

The Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy is considered a two-tier state. That means an Exam Candidate may pass the CPA examination and still receive a CPA certificate but not a permit/license to practice.
All CPAs are required to document his/her work experience before being issued a permit/license to practice.

I think you can receive a CPA certificate, but perhaps not be licensed to practice?
I suggest you email Teresa Taylor, you have lots of time to receive a reply.
I suggest using a throw away or generic email, just in case you dont want your name tied to this question.
https://www.asbpa.alabama.gov/experience.aspx

[Recked]

one year of experience in public accounting, or its equivalent as defined in (2) below

What does that even mean? lol

Strongly suggest you get a written clarification on this from Teresa Taylor.

It almost reads as if they allow industry experience, but my initial instinct is that they will still require the industry experience to be under a licensed CPA.
I think that's the normal requirement in MOST states, so I would be surprised if Alabama were any different but hey… its alabama so…

[DoubleBogey]

Thanks Recked. It seems really confusing to me it seems to say both but the fact that industry is in CPE worries me. Thanks for the help. I'm super scatter-brained and that really could come back to bite me if I don't clarify it.

[fxbinbin]

there are states that require your qualifying experience to be immediately preceding you passing the entire exams. You need to check with the Board you're hoping to receive license from.

[Author]

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