[m.v]

I am working in a small firm for the past one year after graduating from school and just last week, Federal authorities and IRS filed charges on my boss who is a CPA. Not really aware of all of those charge details, but my question to you guys is, can he sign my statement of experience requirement for CPA certification? For now, his license is still valid. If he cannot sign it, does the state board accept if I could show the W2 from this firm?

I am totally lost at this point and thank you guys for all your input/advises.

[Anonymous]

You probably want to go ahead and have him sign it while he's still a CPA.

Just sayin'.

[ruggercpa2b]

You might want to call the board because someone posted a while back that they worked for a guy who passed away and the state board would not recognize that person's time at that firm.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[san4596]

Unless you are waiting for your last score at this very moment, I would look for another job asap and get out of there. The Fed and IRS don't just file charges without any substantial evidence, and I would not want to be labeled along with that CPA in the community. CPA's among various firms talk to each other, and it could cause employment issues.

Ex: Had a guy work at my firm for a year, and he completely Burned, Blew-up, and took a dump on this bridge. It's been over a year and a half since he was officially fired. Manager rec'd a call from another firm asking about this guy a week ago, and told the whole story. On top of that, he did not even include my firm on his resume. The other CPA just remembered talking to my manager about them. Needless to say, he did not get the job.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Anonymous]

I was just thinking that you should go ahead and get him to sign your experience form ASAP, but then I got to wondering, if he signs the form before he loses his license, will it still be valid?

[stoleway]

Remember he is currently innocent until he's proven guilty, you better get it done now before its too late!

You could also look up his license to see if he is still in good standing.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[Texan_Stuck_In_OK]

I second what stoleway said. Have him sign it now! And, you can look him up at https://www.cpaverify.org/

A 88, B 76, F 84, R 76 Passed 2014

Licensed in OK

[san4596]

There is one thing ya'll are forgetting. The experience sign off is not sent in until after you pass the exam. If he loses his license, they probably would not count it, and there is the other fact of your reputation.

I understand “Innocent until proven guilty,” but come on. You do not just get randomly picked in these situation like an audit.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Texan_Stuck_In_OK]

It depends on the state…I just had to show 1800 hours of experience within the last four years. OP, check with your state. But still…couldn't hurt to have him sign it anyway.

A 88, B 76, F 84, R 76 Passed 2014

Licensed in OK

[stoleway]

If the state thinks your experience under this CPA is not worth it, worse case scenario is that you will be informed.

You basically don't have anything to lose here ( since this is 50-50), if your experience gets rejected , move on and get another experience.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[mla1169]

Chiming in to agree with those who say check with your state. I'm not sure it matters the date it was signed but the date the application was received and depending how far along you are with testing who knows what his status will be when you're ready to apply for licensure. Could be ok or his signature could have no value.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[m.v]

Thank you so much guys for all your input. Yes agree that he is innocent until proven guilty but I am just thinking of what if scenarios and the time available….agree with San4596 about the reputation thing….Texan_stuck_in_OK thank you for the website….it is very useful….

Yes, will check with the state board. Thank you all

[How many letters do you need]

Not sure where you are in your exams, but I would get him to sign it and get it filed immediately after passing your last exam. Once you are licensed I don't think they can take it away but I would be concerned about being stuck in limbo. If he is no longer a CPA when you file for your license even though he was when the experience happened, I'd be willing to bet a lot of states deny it. Lucky for you federal trials can last a while and the state Board might take some time as well. Still, if you haven't passed all four yet time is of the essence. Also, I concur with above, get the hell out of there. Federal charges against our kind don't happen often, people in your area will remember it and you really don't want to be associated with it in any way down the road. Of course it's always a great reason as to why you left “they arrested my boss” is one people don't get to use very often.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

Check with your board to see if experience can be sent in now. I know that in LA, the CPA must have an active certificate.

I know a lady that is sitting in jail as of the 4th quarter of last year and her license type says licensed/active certificate but the certificate says expired. Generally, when somebody is convicted of a federal crime their license shows revoked.

[Author]

Replies