[Anonymous]

I’m just curious…not applying for new jobs or anything right now but how do most people present their CPA status if they’re not yet licensed?

Is it the best thing to say that you have sat for the CPA exams when you haven’t passed any sections? I’m guessing not, although my current workplace liked that I was on the CPA track when they hired me. I never told them about my failures, I just said “I haven’t gotten my scores back yet.” They were fine with that, because the position I applied for and got was not one requiring the CPA or being a candidate.

But, as far as what to include on a resume or post on LinkedIn or just general information sharing with others, do people include their scores or “have passed 1/2/3/4 parts of the CPA exam”? Or “Have taken CPA exams”? I included “Have sat for 3 sections” on my resume and elsewhere but have since taken it off. I think some people don’t include the info until all 4 have been passed and they’re just needing to the work experience.

[Allsheneededwassome]

I wouldn’t put anything on my resume until I am licensed. Although I will say that I have seen applicants (typically interns) put down how many parts they have passed etc. I just think it depends how fresh you are out of school. After 10 years of work experience the number of parts I’ve passed etc doesn’t carry much weight on my resume.

However I don’t see anything wrong with casually mentioning how many parts taken/passed during the interview process..if asked and if required by the position.

[Anonymous]

I agree, it's better if you say nothing until you're licensed. Unless maybe you're right out of school and applying for a job in public accounting or someplace where they're expecting you to have all 4 parts passed in a short amount of time. Or, already have passed them all. I'm so glad I'm not 22-25 years old and a CPA candidate looking for a job in this day and age…..it was so much easier to walk right into jobs without much effort 20+ years ago. I watched people do it all the time. Nowadays, it's like there aren't enough jobs to go around and if you land a good one, you're really lucky, and that goes for us older folks (age 30+) too. The job market is super competitive and you're lucky to even get an interview. Getting your resume to the top of the stack is no easy feat. I remember a job interview I had last year – the interviewer had a stack of resumes that was like a ream of paper. She had to shuffle through it to even find mine. I knew right then and there that I would not be getting that job!!

[Allsheneededwassome]

It’s tough out there. I now only switch through networking with older colleagues. While it’s competitive it’s still a small world and technology makes it so easy. I know someone who knows someone that I’m hiring or is hiring me. LinkedIn has made it so easy.

[Valar Dohaeris]

I used to include “CPA license pending – passed all four sections of CPA exam”. Something to that effect.

BEC - 85
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[r00shine]

I put that I passed all 4 sections on my linkedin. It would probably be on my resume if i was job hunting.

[Tim]

Even with years of experience many employers will greatly value your active pursuit of licensing. I would absolutely put any passed sections on your resume. I went for one corporate accounting job where they highly valued the CPA license (most people there already had it and they paid for becker/etc) and my plan to get CPA was a big topic in my interviews and I had not yet taken a section. They even mentioned that other people had said they would get their license and then didn't follow-through. I did not get the job but I think I might have if I had already proven that I was on the path to licensure.

[ohiocpacma]

I could go both ways on this. But, the longer the period of pursuing a CPA may send the signal that you're not the best candidate for the job. The hiring manager may jump to a conclusion that the candidate can not finish a project or that they are not very smart. Which may not be the case, but I think it would be easier to explain in an interview why it has taken a long time to complete the exam (without disclosing it on a resume).

[Tim]

@ohiocpacma I just wouldn't disclose how long you've been working on it if you've been working on it for a long time. It's not like you need to list each section with the date passed next to it.

[Author]

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