[Anonymous]

This lazy partner who is indecisive and likes to run away from problems is refusing to sign off my attest hours. I really don’t know if he’s just lazy, or if he is doing this in spite. I have worked here for 2 years doing government audits all the way from planning to report writing. Here are the excuses he gave me:

1. Firm policy is to only recognize “in-charge” hours.

2. You didn’t do any audit planning. Planning is scheduling staff and creating templates, not risk assessment, materiality calculation, or documenting internal controls.

3. The financial statements you prepared were not full disclosure. Full disclosure financial statements require MD&A.

I explained to him that CA CPA board does not state “in-charge” as a requirement.

I also told him that I took the Audit exam, and risk assessment, documenting IC is part of planning.

I also told him that MD&A are unaudited and has nothing to do with the “full disclosure” principle.

He then said that signing off hours is subjective, and they can refuse to sign if they want.

Should I go through the whole formal process and make copies of all my workingpapers and hours for 2 years? I was thinking I could just make copies of the Audit Programs where it shows my initials next to each procedure, and also keep a copy of all my hours in a QuickBooks report that I was lucky to get previously from them.

[Whatdidyou]

^ Your solution is to steal workpapers from your firm?! I don't think that'll help you get your license buddy.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[MrsB]

Is he the only one that can sign off on your experience? If so I think it is time for you to find a new job.

F 80
A 86
B October
R November

[Anonymous]

“Buddy”, you should do some research before you post. Otherwise, it makes you look unintelligent. Obviously, I wouldn't take the originals, and I specifically stated above that I would make copies (if you read).

Here is a paragraph straight from the CA CPA Licensing Applicant Handbook:

“Applicants may be required to appear before the QC to present audit work papers, or other evidence, substantiating that the experience meets the requirements of Sections 5092, 5093 or 5095 of the Accountancy Act and Sections 12 or 12.5(b) of the CBA Regulations. It is your responsibility to present work papers that demonstrate your ability to understand the requirements of planning and conducting a financial statement audit or perform other attest services with minimal supervision that results in an opinion on full disclosure financial statements.”

Just think about it logically; how else would one substantiate their specific experience in the required audit areas when the CPA refuses to sign hours?

[Anonymous]

MrsB, I did find another job. I was sick and tired of working for this unethical, joke of a firm where management runs from work, forcing me to do Senior functions while being paid as a staff. Me leaving is part of the reason why he refuses to sign. Sorry, I am ranting. But, I was really hoping to leave peacefully, and this was the last thing I expected.

[Whatdidyou]

@Charlie: Sorry, know your going through a sucky situation right now. I should've used a different tone.

“”Buddy”, you should do some research before you post. Otherwise, it makes you look unintelligent. Obviously, I wouldn't take the originals, and I specifically stated above that I would make copies (if you read).”

IMO making copies and taking them out of the office for your own purposes without the partner's consent/knowledge is the same as stealing. Make sure you get consent.

But from what you've quoted, it sounds like occasionally they'll (your state board) ask for further verification to make sure people aren't randomly signing off on hours. I'm not sure if they'll accept workpapers in place of that though, you'll have to call your state board to find out.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Anonymous]

No worries, and thanks for the help. I guess my main questions are: Have any of you gone through this process? If so, what did you use as proof? Also, were you successful?

I imagine this is a rare case because most people aren't stupid enough to incur extra time and risk their license to impede a CPA candidate's licensing process.

BTW, MY LAST DAY AT THIS JOKE FIRM IS TOMORROW!!!

[Herbieherb]

My former boss was like this too…luckily I had an alternative…it sucks

NEW YORK- DONE

[porschify]

It seems like this issue is coming up more and more. Its a shame that alot of people are having to find a new job because someone above them wont sign off on their hours, there should be some kind of appeal process to appear in front of the state board.

Does the firm provide formal reviews? If so maybe that would lend some documentation instead of making copies of firm owned documents.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Whatdidyou]

Yes, one thing to be learned is to ALWAYS get everything signed off before notifying your employer that you are quitting – otherwise they really do have zero incentive to help.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[grio19]

Charlie, there are steps that you can take through the California board of accountancy to get him to sign your hours. I am not exactly sure about the process, just have heard from others that they have helped them out to get the hours signed. Might be worth a phone call to them.

AUD - 8/6/12 - 83
BEC - 8/31/12 - 77
FAR - 11/12
REG - 1/13

[porschify]

@Whatdidyou Some employers wont sign off until your have completed all of the exams (such as my former)

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[HustlinHustlin]

What a joke. You'd think if you asked while you were there the partners would be willing. The more CPAs you have in the firm the better off the firm will be.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[Anonymous]

@HustlinHustlin Go Niners!

Yup, a joke firm. I know for a fact that they would sign my hours without even looking at anything. If you read my other posts, I talk about how unethical this firm is and how they violate so many standards and regulations. If I passed all the exams and was still working there, they would sign off my hours even if I only had 10 attest hours.

Yesterday, the Partner refused. Today, after presenting undisputable evidence contradicting his arguments and after I started making copies of WPs in front of him, he has changed his mind and will now reconsider. He said, “I never said I wasn't going to sign your hours”, which is a lie. In any case, I will let you guys know what the outcome is, if it even goes to the CPA board.

[TaffTax]

@charlie310 So, what happened? Did that partner finally sign off on your hours?

[Author]

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