[Anonymous]

I have done some research online and also on this blog but wanted to get some clarification on the CPA certificate.

I reside in California but do not have any public accounting experience. If I just want to get the CPA for credential purposes to move up the corporate latter within a non-accounting field I can get the CPA certificate in a state such as a Montana and call myself a CPA, correct?

I would not be trying to practice as a public accountant or anything. Just purely to be able to tell co-workers that I am a CPA and for resume/e-mail purposes. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Thanks in advance for your help.

[jokami]

Well you really are brave… Pursuing a CPA license just for credential is admirable… But on the other hand; why? The CPA license does not make you a better person, perhaps a better prepared candidate; and if you are not interested in anything accounting related, I don't think it might make a salary bump either (unless of course it is a accounting oriented job).

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[Anonymous]

@ jokami – Thanks for your input. Its a long story but I would prefer not to go into details. I am just looking for some experience from someone on this board who has pursued the certificate rather than the license.

[Anonymous]

Umm, you should probably explain why you would do that or no one will have any incentive to help you out…sounds pretty silly to me, but then again, I don't know the circumstances because you haven't elaborated yet.

[Anonymous]

i kind of have a simliar question. I still need 7 classes after i finish the exams to meet the education requirement. Is there a way for me to get a certificate after i pass all exams? or do i have to wait till i finish all my requirements to get anything? I'm in florida and i only ask because it will take me another year and a half to get all those classes done at nights. 🙁 any input is truly appreciated. thanks!

[Marivy22]

@Argonaut

Based on previous thread, you will not be able to use the CPA title unless you are certified in the state that you are working on.

For example, I am getting certified in VA, but I live in FL. I decided to do it in VA because of FL's experience requirements (work under the supervision of a CPA for one year). I will eventually look for a job that will fulfill that requirement and apply for the certification in FL (if possible), until then I cannot use the CPA title in FL at all (resume or emails).

You might find accurate information by contacting your board of accountancy.

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[Minimorty]

Agree with Marivy.

Argonaut, you cant hold yourself out to be a CPA while residing in California if you are not certified by the California Board of Accountancy. It doesnt matter if you are practicing in the public accounting arena or not. The whole thing is pretty shady too if you ask me. If you dont meet the experience requirements, then you shouldnt be a CPA in the state anyway. Passing the exam is just one of the requirements to holding a CPA license. It seems as though people pass the test and all of a sudden think they are CPAs. That is not how it works. There is also an education and experience requirement. While the education requirement is usually satisfied prior to testing, the experience component is typically not. I still wish they would up the experience to 3 to 5 years before awarding the license.

[Anonymous]

I'm in NY and went to college here, but ironically, two of my Accounting instructors are CPAs of Maryland. After researching, I see that Maryland doesn't require work experience to become a CPA. Just pass the tests and you're a CPA!

[MDCPASOON]

@ CPAMan, Maryland requires 2000 hours (1 year) of practical work experience before you can be licensed. The work experience must be endorsed by an active licensed CPA.

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BEC - 82
REG - 90

[Herbieherb]

Pure genious

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

@MDCPASOON- Really? I must've been mistaken. So, I wonder why my Accounting instructor became a CPA in Maryland. One of them grew up in NY, went to school in NY, but became a CPA in Maryland? And he's working in NY? Makes no sense….

[Herbieherb]

Cpaman it probably changed a few years ago

NEW YORK- DONE

[lawboy86]

@ Argonaut

i'm in the same boat as you… for some reason, when i posed the same Q a little while ago, i got little help from our fellow another71 members….

anyways, shoot me an email: nathan@peacemancapital.com so we can discuss it further. i am in the middle of doing research on exactly this topic…

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[Anonymous]

@ lawboy86 – Just shot you an e-mail.

[TexasGrad]

@dreambigCPA….did you ever get an answer to your question? If I take the CPA within the next year I will be in the same boat, having taken the exam but not having the education requirements needed.

[Anonymous]

If you live in one state and have a CPA certificate from another state, the rule depends on your home state.

So if CA says you must have a license (and it requires experience) to call yourself a CPA, then your CPA certificate is useless for the purposes of calling yourself a CPA.

[Author]

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