What do you guys think about this? I think it's terrible. - Page 3

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  • #189155
    Mary 2496
    Member

    This has been irritating me more and more because it’s a discredit to the accounting profession.

    Someone that I know very well just graduated with a degree in accounting. S/he gained employment with a local, very large and well-known public accounting firm. For the first four months of employment, this person was given the “task” of passing the CPA exam. S/he would sit in their assigned office all day, for eight hours, and do nothing but study even though they were on company time. Okay – sounds great. Because this is the person’s only “job,” s/he passes the exams quite quickly (in about a five or six month period).

    S/he has zero professional experience in accounting. I know this for a fact. After s/he passes the exam, one of the CPA’s in the same office signs off on that person’s paperwork so that the license can be issued for this person. The CPA fills out the necessary areas and states that the applicant has more than two years of experience. (It is one to two years experience depending on education level achieved, per Ohio law.)

    I was really disappointed at this, not because the person was issued a license, but because this is really a well-respected CPA practice nationwide. I was a bit upset that they’d downplay the profession like this, so to speak, as the firm is known for its commitment to sound ethical practices.

    Any thoughts?

Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 79 total)
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  • #612316
    acamp
    Participant

    Oh the horrors, the HORRORS!!!

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    #612317
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I guarantee if those people still took the ethics course it wouldn't change a thing. EVERYONE knows what is right and what is wrong, but they still continue to do the wrong thing (given this scenario). You think Bernie knew what he did was bad? Of course he did… an ethics course wouldn't change a thing for that guy.

    #612318
    Mary 2496
    Member

    True story ^^

    I know it has definitely changed one thing. Because I do know this happened and I also know for certain that the CPA signed off on it when s/he shouldn't have, our firm will never refer business to this particular firm again.

    Thanks for everyone's input – I appreciate it!

    #612319
    mla1169
    Participant

    and on that note I agree with you, if they are representing YOUR firm (even if only via referral) you are spot on to disassociate yourself from them.

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    #612320
    Rocky123
    Member

    @Dunkin

    That is true. The bad will still do bad no matter what.

    I'm curious though. From those who took the ethics course, what did you learn? Is it common sense or are there specific rules that CPA's need to be aware of?

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    #612322
    Mary 2496
    Member

    @ mla1169 Thanks, I really appreciate your input. I know that you've been in the field a long time and your advice is very much appreciated!

    I also must add – I am new at all of this (the whole “in charge” thing.) My mom ran our firm from its inception. It was planned that I take over after I obtained my CPA license. Due to a severe situation with my grandma, mom had to retire in May on about a day's notice. Still learning the ropes even though I've worked with mom for decades. I truly appreciate the input as I am stressed to the max and may blow at any second! (I kid, I kid.)

    #612323
    JimmyA
    Member

    In industry and public accounting, there is a big difference between a CPA and someone who has just passed 4 exam sections.

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    #612324
    Rocky123
    Member

    @Mary

    I enjoy reading your posts. You bring up interesting topics.

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    #612325
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I just took it on Monday since I had free time. It gave me some CPE credits as well.

    Luckily, since I just tested for AUD, everything in the ethics course was mostly covered in AUD.

    It mainly is common sense, but you can download the PDF and look up keywords for answers when you get in a jam.

    #612326
    Rocky123
    Member

    @Dunkin

    How long does it take to complete the ethics course? One day? Or is it like studing for a section of an exam. Thanks.

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    #612327
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I thought it was a lengthy study then take an exam at a prometric, but I was WAY off.

    It took me about 4 – 5 hours total. I purchased the On Demand course through the AICPA website. You log in and go through all the slides and presentations. Then I downloaded the book as a PDF and took the exam, which was 45 questions.

    The results are immediate and they're sent in to your state board.

    I decided to do it now because once I pass all four sections I didn't want to delay the application for certification process because it's long enough already.

    #612328
    Rocky123
    Member

    Do you know how long the credit for the Ethics course lasts? Does it expire at some point?

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    #612329
    koz124
    Member

    Just an FYI, every state's ethic exam is different. Also in some states you cannot take it prior to finishing the exam. For the most part, I agree that Wisconsin's had a lot of material that was relevant to AUD. However, it also delved into some of the state's regulations which mandated research.

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    #612330
    klink24
    Participant

    @taxman, no, the regular Joe in me does not say it's okay to blatantly lie and commit fraud. The regular Joe in me says mind your own and stop getting in other folks' business.

    I'm just not naive enough to think that accounting firms or any business operates on a strict moral compass. All of them have done, are doing, or will do something someone thinks is unethical. It's just the way of the world and I'm a realist, not an idealist. You have to determine where you draw the line on a company's level of unethical actions though. If someone signing off on a CPA applicant's experience prematurely is your line, then so be it.

    Good thread though with good discussion.

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    #612331
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    koz is right. I'm in IL so it can be different in another state. I'm pretty sure it doesn't expire, I don't see why it would.

Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 79 total)
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