[lawboy86]

so how do you update your linkedin profile that you passed all 4sections of the CPA (before you are actually certified)? i was thinking maybe under under “Education” in the notes, something like this: “passed all four section of the CPA examinations”?!

any other ideas, guys?

AUD: 81
BEC: 81
REG: 75
FAR: 64, 79!! DONE THANK GOD!

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

What do you have, “CPA Candidate”? I was thinking about that.

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm not telling you what is right or wrong, just my two cents. In my opinion, even if you are clear (I know, I know) that you have only passed the exams, but not certified, it seems a little misleading. I may be WAY off base, but that's just my take on it. I passed the exams in April 2010 but had to wait for experience to be certified. I just filed my licensing application last week and should be certified within a couple months. Regardless of my progress in being certified, I have left my linkedin untouched until my license number pops up on the board of accountancy's website. That's just my take, not necessarily the correct approach.

[ROLLTIDE4EVER]

By the way, are you guys on premium subscription?

[Marivy22]

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Just PlainPA]

At a minimum, I would wait until I applied for the certificate/license, then once the state accountancy board has your name in its database under the “Pending” status, I would include the CPA in the “Certifications” section of the LinkedIn page, and under “License Number”, I would put “Pending”, and then update it once I they issued me my certificate/license number.

AUD - 79
BEC - ?? 10/1/15 (Tentative)
REG - ?? 11/?/15
FAR - ?? Winter 2016

[jamesjohnson11]

I think all the people saying wait until you have the license or experience are totally wrong. Finishing the exams is a major accomplishment, and it basically means you are a cpa. I have friends who have passed but dont have the experience and they put “all exams passed, currently fulfilling experience requirement” on their linkedin. This is what i will do as soon as I pass.

People taking the cfa exam put cfa exam level 1 candidate all the time. This basically means nothing. It means you signed up for the test.

As soon as you pass all sections I would note it on linkedin. if you are studying and havent passed any yet or have passed some I would put it on your resume.

R PASS
A PASS
B PASS
F AUGUST

[Anonymous]

@jamesjohnson11: I agree. When you are looking for a job many of the requirements state: “CPA Certified, in the process of obtaining, or exam eligible”. By putting down that you have passed even 1 part you are much more marketable because it shows that you are not only eligible to sit for it, but in the process. I would think that someone who puts down they have passed 3 parts are much more marketable than someone who has only passed 1.

@BaseballCPA: I do understand your point though with the potential for not actually receiving your license if there is a discrepency along the way with the registration process and the AICPA. However, I would think employers would be aware of this.

[VAactgGrad]

Do indicate your accomplishment of having passed the CPA exam in your LinkedIn profile. After passing the exam, I added a note indicating so in the “summary” section of my profile. After becoming certified, I followed the practice adopted by many and amended my last name in my profile with “, CPA.”

While I did not indicate my candidacy in the CFA program until after having passed the level 1 exam, it was a personal choice. I think it could be beneficial to mention it if you are a level 1 candidate. It does take a certain level of commitment to decide to pursue the designation and embark on the rigorous journey.

[The Dingo]

@jamesjohnson11

RE: “Finishing the exams is a major accomplishment, and it basically means you are a cpa.”

No, it absolutely does not. It means you passed a test, which is only part of the license process. There is no “basically a CPA” classification from any State Board.

2 things, one of which can get you in serious trouble:

1. Most recruiters will tell you they talk to employment candidates all day who state they have passed all or some of the exams, and while they may grant you the slightest of incremental recognition at a firm, in industry, the phrasing “CPA Required” on a job description means they want a CPA, not a dude who passed a test. Also take note how many individuals need multiple attempts…

2. Remember the professional responsibility section in REG?

“Bueller….Bueller….” ???

If you've passed all 4 sections, then congrats, but you're a guy who passed a test, you're not a CPA….

“Hold yourself out” as a CPA and you're lying, unethical, diminishing the value of the credential and potentially asking for trouble from your State Board and Partner.

You can be cited for practicing without a license, it's no joke, and don't let it happen to you.

If anyone here has confusion about being “basically…a CPA” then I encourage you to call your State Board and inquire if you can refer to yourself as a CPA without being licensed.

@BaseballCPA Has taken the correct approach.

This is a valuable discussion and I think it's important that everyone consider tempering the enthusiasm and personal interests with the value of the certification and the integrity of the profession.

[mla1169]

The only way to “hold yourself out as a cpa” is to put a comma after your name followed by the letters CPA.

It is perfectly acceptable to put within the education blurb that you have passed 4 CPA exams. Any employer who seeks a CPA knows the difference between passing the exams and having a license.

It is GOOD for an employer to know you have passed the exams…it means they don't have to pay for you to take them, it obviously shows a higher caliber of knowledge than someone who hasn't taken the exams, and it shows a level of drive and commitment that is valuable to an employer.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[The Dingo]

@mla1169

RE: “The only way to “hold yourself out as a cpa” is to put a comma after your name followed by the letters CPA.”

No, it's not.

And to reflect the earlier statement I quote: “Finishing the exams is a major accomplishment, and it basically means you are a cpa.” <– Is also untrue.

I would invite you to re-visit the professional responsibility and ethics sections of the exams and your own State Board licensing requirements. An individual can can face sanctions and endanger his / her future license potential.

[littlenumberrobot]

I think mla1169 meant that when it is official you put the CPA, not anything of this half way to being a CPA… in between stuff. AT LEAST that is how I have interpretted it. I know for certain CA you cannot use the letters CPA until you get your license number. I have been reading this thread, very interesting information and opinioins. Thought I would finally input. The only place I have put that was I pursuing my license was my resume. No one else needs to know until it is a done deal. I haven't passed any and I dont think I would add it to my resume when that time comes.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[mla1169]

I'm not giving opinion, I've well researched this question before I had my license.

And I'll decline your thoughtful invitation since I am well aware of the responsibility and ethics sections of the exams.

If one has a question, PLEASE don't consider anonymous advice on a message board to be sufficient due diligence.

Created with Compare Ninja

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jamesjohnson11]

@TheDumbo. You are wrong. Passing all four sections is a major accomplishment, and means you need one year of experience you are probably already achieving at your current workplace. So yes it does mean you are almost a CPA. Last time i checked having all four parts done and waiting to complete your experience which you are currently fulfilling is “basically done.”

You clearly didn't read what I said because I never said put that you are a CPA. I never said call up HR and order 4,000 new business cards with CPA on them or go into outlook and put CPA after you name. I said that you should put you have completed the exams and are CURRENTLY FULFILLING THE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT. But i do love that you are so willing to quote the professional guidelines. Next time read the comment someone wrong and stop always trying to object to everything.

@mla totally agree.

R PASS
A PASS
B PASS
F AUGUST

[Anonymous]

I agree with the majority of posters on this thread. While meeting with a recruiter today she was absolutely delighted I had 3 parts of the exam passed. I think the perception among MOST CPA candidates is that passing the exam is the HARDEST aspect of “becoming” a CPA. As long as you are not misrepresenting the facts of your situation, I think more disclosure is BETTER. What makes employers/recruiters mad is when you put CPA on your resume and then put “ASPIRING or CPA eligible”. I don't think you should indicate the fact that you are eligible to take the exam. That is one thing that doesn't mean a thing. I think that way because some people just will never follow through with it. On the other hand, if you have multiple parts passed in a short time frame, I think it's great to show your initiative and be clear on that being a goal. Stating you are a CPA candidate on your resume with 1, or 2 or 3 or 4 parts passed is perfectly ethical. I'm convinced the real concern by state boards is people claiming to be a CPA who are not. I'll finish by saying the easiest requirement to fill in becoming a CPA is the experience requirement. Some on this board take things way too far, which is easy to do when you are anonymous.

[Author]

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