[Anonymous]

So here is my story, I worked in a small public accounting firm in NYC several years ago. and there was only one CPA which i worked with who can sign for my experience. however, he is no longer in the office and I am not able to get a hold with him.

and recently I just gotten a controller job offer, which is a big jump compare to my previous salary.

I am happy with the job offer, but at the same time i know the clock is ticking again because I heard that the CPA exam scores in NY will be no good after 5 years and i need to study CPE or something ?

I dont know if I should still actively look for any other opportunities that I can work with a CPA for 2 years experience ? I think it is getting harder and harder with my age and title to find another job work under a CPA and get my 2 year experience ?

feel free to share your thoughts

[Anonymous]

I'd try to get ahold of him again. Harder this time.

Linkedin, Public databases, drilling down through employers. Get a private investigator if you need too.

[Rocky123]

I agree with Bill. Do whatever you can to track him down!!! You've worked too hard for this.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

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Rocky123, CPA

[Liss, Master of Coin]

I don't know what NY requirements are. But is there someone at your new company that can sign off in a year or 2? (whatever the NY requirement is)

If you can't find the person, are there other options?

Can you transfer your passing scores to a state that doesn't expire? (as far as I know, CA doesn't expire)

Or transfer the passing scores to MA or CO (while they still have the education in lieu of experience option); that way you can be licensed, just not in NY.

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

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[Rocky123]

In my state, if you didn't work directly for a CPA, you can have your supervisor sign off on your work experience. THEN, you can fill out an additional form and have any CPA that knows you sign off on it. Could be a friend, etc.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

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Rocky123, CPA

[Anonymous]

‘Most anyone can be found if you get the right people to find him. Skip tracers and PIs may be needed, or just some drilling down online. Maybe try Googling ways to find a person's contact information and give the various methods a shot? At times, it can be as simple as searching their name on a White Pages type site and looking through the results till you see one that matches, but that can be hard if they have a common name like Joe Smith. CPA registries may be easier to look through.

However, you can probably pay a PI or skip tracer quite a bit for the pay bump you'd get taking the current job. Still have a chance that when you find the guy he won't be licensed anymore or won't be willing to sign off, but it's worth a shot.

[Anonymous]

Update: one of the non-CPA partner from the company helped me to contact him in regard of signing my experience. but the CPA does not want to sign my experience because he think i was actually under supervision by other partner (not a CPA) and not him. I also tried to call him and see if we can work it out but he is not picking up my call and not replying my message. (does not even want to say no directly to me)

I did more research online and seeing people say that the passing CPA exam scores is good for 10 years in New York ( i will need to contact NYS accounting board to confirm that), if that is the case, I guess I should update my resume and post it career website saying I am actively looking for a position to work with CPA to fulfill my experience requirement ? The only issue is that i think it is difficult to find a controller similar level of position that is under supervision of a CPA ? I also doubt company will hire me even I try to apply for a lower level position as an accountant ?

Feel free to share your thoughts

[Anonymous]

In that case…I would consider becoming a CPA in a state that doesn't require the CPA who is signing off to be your supervisor. For example, I am a Controller currently. My boss is not a CPA. However, we have 2 CPA firms that we use as consultants, and in my state (KY), I could have one of them sign off on the fact that I have been doing accounting work. So, if you plan to remain in private accounting, then being able to sign off on taxes and audits in NY won't be an issue, so a license for another state might be an option. You'd just have to transfer your scores to another state.

IMHO, to take a step back career-wise (offered Controller, take job as Staff Accountant instead) in order to get the CPA designation would be somewhat backwards. If NY has some sort of reciprocal agreement, you may be able to do something like after being a KY or MA CPA for 5 years, you could then become a NY CPA without having to have a NY CPA sign off on your experience; otherwise, you could continue as a CPA of another state and it probably wouldn't ever matter.

[Anonymous]

Thank your for your opinion Lilla, transferring passing score to another state maybe one of the option to fulfill experience requirement, but i am afraid there maybe other issue come up; such as I am grandfathered for 120 credits with 2 year experience, and other state may have different rules for education requirement. and also the if I have to work in that state 2 year and verify by a CPA in that state. Eventually, I will still want to transfer back the CPA license to NY.

I am not sure if I open a small accounting company in NY with a CPA and work with him count ? Can a CPA partner sign off the experience for a non CPA partner ?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if or which states still accept 120 credits, so you may be screwed there. Getting some cheap online or community college classes will fulfill it for many states, though – I spent less than $1000 total for my extra 30 credits, all are undergrad. As far as experience, though, there's better news – at least with some states (like KY where I am), the experience doesn't have to be in KY and doesn't have to have a KY CPA sign off. A friend of mine is a student in Japan and will be able to have his experience in Japan count for a KY CPA license, and his boss who is a CPA in another state (don't remember which one) can sign off on it. KY just requires 1 year of any accounting experience and requires the signer be an active CPA who was licensed at the time the experience was gained, but if you know a NY CPA who would be willing to sign off (whether friend, consultant at the company you work for, or any other relationship), you'd be all set – could sign off on the work you're doing currently or at any prior time.

NY is much stricter, though, so not sure if one partner could sign off on the other or not. Might require that the CPA supervise you. Either way, starting a firm just to get a sign-off doesn't sound like a very smart idea. 😐

[On2Sum]

GO TO THE STATE CPA WEBSITE OR EVEN THE AICPA WEBSITE AND SEARCH FOR THE CPA YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. IF HE STILL HAS AN ACTIVE LICENSE, HE CAN BE TRACKED DOWN WITH THE MOST RECENT ADDRESS THEY HAVE ON FILE.

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[Anonymous]

Thanks Lilla, your opinion is pretty helpful. My current plan is to take some classes to fulfill 150 education credit (assume i dont need a master degree for that), that will cut my 2 years experience to only 1 year for NYS CPA license. Then i will consider if I will just take 1 year off to work under a CPA just for CPA license. or I will transfer to another state. :/

[Anonymous]

Contact the state board to figure out what Plan B is. Surely you aren't the only one to hit the bad luck lottery.

[Anonymous]

i dont think there is a limit once you pass your exams, is there?

[Anonymous]

I saw people on forum spoke about NYS passing scores will not expire , but if experience cannot be fulfill in 10 years; then i will need to take some CPE courses. Nevertheless, I will still need to get my experience sign off in order to get my license.

[JS867_5309]

Check and see if there's an alternative in your state. In NC, you fulfill the experience requirement if you work for 2 years directly under the supervision of a CPA OR if you work 4 years in the field. My company's only CPA is too far up the ladder to feel comfortable singing and management won't help me work it out. I just have to stick it out for 15 more months and I'll have the 4 year requirement. For that, your supervisor doesn't even have to comment on the quality of your work, just confirm your job description and employment dates.

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