[Anonymous]

Hello guys

I just received a letter from the CBA and they are asking me to pay the $185 initial license fee before sending me my CPA number. Does this mean I m officially approved or it is still under reviewing process?

Does anybody know?

Thanks!

[ImaCPA168]

Congrats! I think they're done reviewing your application. They sent you a payment request with a form you have to fill out about your address of record…name…etc., right? Fill that in, pay them, and you're done. After I paid my initial licensing fee, I got my license number and CPA certificate in the mail within approximately 3-4 weeks. It takes them a while to actually cash the check (I checked my bank account constantly). I'm guessing it also takes a long time for them to generate a sequential license number, standard letter, and certificate with your name on it–LOL!

Question for you: You're in California right? Why is your fee $185? Mine was $120. The letter I received that came with my certificate and gave me my license number also stated that future renewals are $120. Are they charging you for something additional? I was licensed in May 2013 so I paid my fee very recently. Which is why I'm curious about the big difference in amount. Don't want you to get ripped off… I mean, it's unlikely, but just know what you're paying for.

My problem is, I still don't come up in the CBA license look-up on the CBA website. I wonder how long it takes them to update their CPA license database. I haven't tried to call in to ask about that yet, I have other priorities right now 🙂 But having a license number and a certificate to hang on the wall is good enough for me…for now. I will follow-up later as my time allows. But if you experience something different, come back and let me know!

Congrats again!!!

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Jade CPA-to-be]

Will there be another fee? I paid $250 license fee with my application 2 weeks ago and has not heard from board anything yet.

CPA Licensed in California- Class of 2013

[ImaCPA168]

@ Jade CPA-to-be

YES!!! Lots of fees.

The $250 is the license application processing fee. That's how much CBA charges to review and process your application package. Based on how long I had to wait, you probably still have 5-6 weeks of waiting to go before they let you know whether you're approved for licensure.

Once CBA has “processed” your application and they are ready to issue you a license number, they'll hit you up for an initial licensing fee which is the fee crossovercpa and I were discussing earlier (above). I paid $120 for my inital licensing fee and not sure why crossovercpa is saying CBA wants $185 for his/her initial licensing fee. Hope he/she will come back and let us know.

But as far as you're concerned, save up for the next fee 🙂

And remember that you have to renew your CPA license every 2 years so there are renewal fees to consider in the future as well as CPE courses you may have to pay yourself if your employer doesn't provide enough training at work or reimburse for training courses you take.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Anonymous]

Hey Imacpa168

I made a mistake, it's asking me to pay $60, NOT $185, it was actually my mom who received the mail first. She did the unnecessary calculation for me

initial license fee if postmarked on or before 12/31/2013 =$60

” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” after 12/31/2013 =$120

She didn't read it but just added up the two numbers together

I wonder why you need to pay $120, probably it's July now and I'm only paying for half a year?

Btw, I feel like you are chinese! haha

[acamp]

LOL I just sent off my $250, nice to know they'll be yet another fee (that I'll have my employer reimburse).

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[ImaCPA168]

@ crossovercpa

$60! Now I feel like I got ripped off. LOL!!!

In all seriousness though, your fee of $60 may very well be prorated based on when they're going to issue you your CPA license relative to your license expiration date. You'll see in the initial licensure letter you get later that your licence expires on your birthday every other year…based on the year of your birth.

If you're born on an even year, then your licence expires on your birthday of every even year. If you're born on an odd year, then your license expires on your birthday of every odd year. So, your fee of $60 is probably prorated based on when they're going to issue you your CPA license and when your birthday (license expiration date) is.

Your CPE requierements are also prorated upon initial licensure. My letter said I'll need 60 CPEs when my license is up for renewal for the first time. Then after that, you'll need 80 for every two years.

And yes…I'm Chinese. How did you know? LOL!

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Onmyway82]

I just paid my initial license fee last week and I had to pay $120 so it was not prorated for me.

@ImaCPA168 – Will I have to wait about a month from now to get my certificate and license?

FAR- 70, 68, 90
AUD- 72, 85
REG- 74, 83
BEC- 81
ETHICS- 90

CA CPA
CMA

[Jade CPA-to-be]

@imaCPA168,

I bet crossovercpa saw there is #168 in your username.

@ onmyway82, nice to see you here again. thanks for your advice on passing CA ethics exam. I finally passed on 4th try. LOL.

nice to see all CA candicates here!!!!

CPA Licensed in California- Class of 2013

[Anonymous]

@ Jade CPA-to-be

You got it! that's how I can tell he/she is chinese!

Yes, which part of CA are you from?

@imacpa168

Yes I was born in an odd year, and I think you have your point! so I should be lucky paying only $60 (my boss pays it anyways)

What else does the initial letter tells you?

btw, which part of CA do you guys from?

Cheers!

[Onmyway82]

@Jade CPA-to-be- Good job!

I live in Orange County, been out here 5 years.

FAR- 70, 68, 90
AUD- 72, 85
REG- 74, 83
BEC- 81
ETHICS- 90

CA CPA
CMA

[Anonymous]

I wonder if that fee includes the wall certificate…

[evesocal]

crossover CPA: Yes, after you pay that $60 you eventually get the wall certificate. My wall certificate came before the little wallet certificate. And even though it was rolled up in a cardboard tube, it was wrinkled. I got it framed very nicely and you can still see the wrinkles. Thanks, CBA.

Pay the $60 and then keep checking the website for your license number. My number appeared online about a week or so before anything came in the mail.

Congratulations!

B: 75

R: 80

A: 77

F: 81

Ethics: 84, 92, and done!

Licensed in California

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[evesocal]

And btw hi, fellow Californians! I live in Los Angeles. The San Fernando Valley part of it. If you're from anywhere in SoCal you understand why I say L.A. 🙂

Heading up to Mammoth for a few days as we do each summer. Last year I brought my Becker AUD materials along and spent the whole vacation with them and took AUD as soon as I got back. Needless to say this year will be a much better trip.

Happy 4th to all and best of luck.

DONE with everything in Feb. 2013, licensed in May

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[Anonymous]

@evesocal

LA is nice, I'm from San Francisco Bay Area!

Do you mind to tell me the size of the certificate so that I can prepare myself for the frame? Or any suggestions on how I can get it framed nicely?

Happy 4th to you too Eve?

[Jade CPA-to-be]

I am in San Gabriel Valley Area. LOL

Do you guys think I should start looking for jobs now OR wait until I get license? Part of me I want to start looking now, but if I wait to get licensed, I may look more competitive. Any opinion?

CPA Licensed in California- Class of 2013

[Author]

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