[Pete]

Hi,

I’ve managed to pass the CPA and CFE examinations a few years ago; however, I haven’t managed to fulfill the licensing requirements.

I’m currently working at a small organization as a staff accountant. Unfortunately, my organization isn’t performing well financially and will likely go bankrupt within a few years. A large CPA firm has recently contacted me regarding a para-professional job; it’s odd because the role seems to have book-keeping/tax elements and be more of a staff accountant/tax professional role.

I mentioned being interested in the position, but i’m not 100% set either way. The role almost seems like a step back in a few ways, but it’s at a large firm (so maybe not). Do you guys think it’s worth pursuing?

I think speaking to him is at the very least a valuable networking opportunity.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anthony]

Well if you take the job will it fulfill the license requirements?

If the shits is about to hit the fan soon, I wouldn't stay put. I would have been looking around for other opportunities. Look around first then if you can't find anything take it.

AUD - 82
BEC - 80
FAR - 81
REG - 82

FAR - 74 first attempt

[aaronmo]

I don't really understand this…what licensing requirements haven't you fulfilled? If you've passed the exams, you should be working under a CPA as per your state guide lines. I don't know your labor market, but this shouldn't be that hard to find. If you aren't getting CPA compliant experience, go somewhere where you are.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[jenpen]

I'm confused. In my area, para-professionals seem to be more admins than accountants. Why wouldn't you do a lateral move somewhere to become a staff accountant at a different firm?

Also – I second @Aaronmo‘s response.

AUD - 85
BEC - 84
FAR - 82
REG - 78

Ethics - 95
Licensed in IL & MO

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Pete]

What I’m finding is that a lot of people in industry let their license lapse, instead of paying the yearly fee. My former boss here, had his license, but let it lapse for that reason. Part of the reason I took the job. Didn’t realize it had lapsed at the time.

I’m not sure why, but the market around here is brutal. I’ve been applying to other staff jobs like crazy on LinkedIn, but not gotten a single bite. I did get a bite, but they ended up canceling the position.

I suspect the firm is attempting to get a staff accountant at a para-professional rate. The job description has book-keeping, plus tax prep work and states a “heavy tax prep background” is needed for the role.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[aaronmo]

I don't know the particulars, or your state law, but the above sounds like a law suit to me…if I went to a place with the understanding that I was getting CPA experience, and the partner let his license lapse and didn't tell me…I'd be livid and looking for blood. I would – politely at first – “suggest” he renew his license and sign off on my experience. This is not something I'd let go.

Hang in there…work the networking…get a job that gives you what you want. That “paraprofessional” thing sounds like BS to me…and if you're considering it, I'd make sure that I get (preferably in writing), something that says the direct supervisor considers it CPA eligible experience.

A “paraprofessional” can mean anything…but when I hear that phrase in connection with accounting, I think of a bookkeeper/office manager role…or someone who does payroll/AR…at a public.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[aaronmo]

Also – don't forget about using your state chapter as a resource…they have relationships with firms looking for people (at least ours does), and go to the networking events. If you want to add value, consider a degree/certification in information systems or analytics. CPAs who can also talk IT nerd are going to be well paid and permanently employed.

Footnotes – I work for a state membership association and do not have independence.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[vbmer]

There is no grounds for a lawsuit for an (ex-)manager letting his CPA lapse, something which is extremely common in industry, unless there was an explicit training contract in place that included such clauses. When I was getting my experience verified earlier this year, I looked up some (about 10) of my CPA classmates from my MBA program which I graduated from 4 years ago. I was surprised to see every single one of them let their license lapse, and the only 2 who were still CPAs were “registered CPAs” in IL because that doesn't require CPE. It's not because they ran off to become marketers or entrepreneurs, either. Heck, some of them even work at Big Four firms. Anyway, the point is, that kind of thing happens everywhere outside the relatively small world of public accounting, and it's not really a big deal, since you can always jurisdiction shop for a more suitable licensing jurisdiction, and then get your license by endorsement/reciprocity in your home state later, if that's something you need at all.

Taking the occasional pay cut is fine, imo, but I would not take a backwards step just to join a bigger organization. I would still take the interview though, go meet with the senior managers there. Once you're there, you can hopefully:
– impress them enough that they will like you
– explain your career goals and what you envision your next step looking like (something they'll likely ask anyway)
– ask them any other relevant questions the recruiter won't have answers to

If, after that, you decide there's a clear path to a professional job there, you should consider it. If not, I would pull out before they extend you an offer citing the reasons why. There will be no hard feelings, and if you impress them, it could make things slightly easier when you're looking for a staff accountant job at that office later. If your interview is not with client-facing managers or senior managers, I would run away.

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
FAR - 89
REG - 80

Manager, Big 4 Corporate Finance, CPA (WA)

[aaronmo]

^ Horse crap. You can file anything as leverage…whether or not it works, or you can get damages, is another matter. Getting served by a sheriff often makes people/organizations a lot more amenable to settling disputes. The more key issue is getting an attorney to file for you, unless you want to do it yourself.

Sidebar, never take advice from non-attorneys, or even attorneys in other states. The above is an excellent example of why. You're not looking for a courtroom victory, you're looking to get someone to renew a license and certify your experience, assuming that was understood when you took the position.

Letting your license expire in public is not a common thing, and that is where most CPAs will end up for their CPA experience.

If you took the job with the understanding that you'd be getting CPA experience, I would make it very clear that you expect your direct manager to do what it takes to make that happen.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[Lindsey_p87]

The real question is did Pete make it known to his manager that the CPA was a big reason for taking the job? Either way, I feel like it would be easier and burn less bridges to just find another job, especially since this company is going nowhere. Also, there's always the experience verification program through NASBA, which is what I'll probably have to do considering I'm in the same position as Pete – my CFO is a CPA but is inactive (we are in industry).

AUD - 79
BEC - 82
FAR - 79
REG - 86

DONE

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[aaronmo]

Granted, my perspective might be off, but the license is not that much money to renew. The CPE reqs are a pain in the arse, but you go to a few conferences, network, mingle, you're done. Most entities cover the licenses. I would NEVER let my license expire. Ever. I worked too hard for it to not use the letters.

(It's easy for me to say…I get free CPE, it's part of my job, and I'm at 120 hours this year)

Lindsey – I had no idea about that experience verification option (it's not in my jurisdiction); really great information…I'm going to share this with my membership team who get this issue a lot.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[Recked]

Just another note on this.
NYS does not allow a CPA to sign off on experience during a time frame they were not properly licensed.
it: If the license is not active during 6 months of a year's worth of experience, this will not accept that 6 months.
And yes, this is something they check. It took my application extra time to be verified because of the older records.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[Lindsey_p87]

I think the CPE is the main reason people let their license lapse, especially if not actively using it. Most companies pay/reimburse for it, but it's a time commitment as well. However, I agree with you Aaron, I'm working my a$$ off to get this license, I'll do the freaking CPE LOL.

AUD - 79
BEC - 82
FAR - 79
REG - 86

DONE

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[aaronmo]

PA requires 80 hours of CPE in the proceeding 24 months to renew. Brutal.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[Pete]

Thanks for the replies. I didn’t actively state I was hoping to obtain the license from my former boss. He’s a good guy and I would have no intent on suing my last organization. Even if I wanted to and they actively told me that I could full-fill the requirement, I wouldn’t sue. Btw – this was for an industry job (current job), not a public accounting position.

I’ve interned at the firm that I’m interviewing with before, so I do have a ton of contacts there, I’ve just been bad at keeping in touch with them. I told him I would be interested in learning about the position, but I’ll possibly turn it down at the end.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Author]

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