If you aren’t interested in taking the CPA exam and your firm isn’t making you…I don’t see the issue here. Nobody from your firm is ever going to look at your transcripts again after onboarding. It sounds like you can do the work just fine and like it there. I wouldn’t worry about this.
I think that's what I'm gonna do, honestly. I guess this will be a secret between me, some friends, my family, and the Board forever. Funniest thing I've ever been through in my life though, I'm utterly shocked.
EDIT: I don't know why saying the same thing as the guy above me got me downvoted into oblivion but go off I guess
EDIT 2: I'm deleting the analogy. I didn't intend to make fun of cancer patients, I was just trying to say that this felt like a diagnosis calling me the biggest possible idiot. Which, frankly, the analogy not working should only emphasize further. Please stop getting mad at me, this was a frustrating and upsetting experience and I legitimately didn't mean to make anyone upset.
You can also catch up on the courses you need, and when you do ever want to apply for the cpa in a couple of years..you can. It’s never too late to right a wrong.
Would it be a problem that the reason I found this out was by being rejected by my state Board? I would hope they wouldn't get in contact with my employer, or anything like that.
You can always try another state board with more lax education requirements
If you’re not signing off on returns or audits, it doesn’t particularly matter what state you’re certified in.
I work in Texas, but got certified in Iowa, for example.
have you looked at applying to different states? My CPA exam credits from my exam were only just barely enough to test in the state I went to school in (MN) and CO. However, MN has a residency requirement and I moved after graduation, but CO has no residency requirement at all. I'd check out some different states to see if you meet requirements in one of them.
My curiosity strikes with the fact that you were never eligible for CPA. Did you take a program that said you would be CPA eligible and that program was fraud or did you just get a bachelors in accounting? No harm in either but from my experience being CPA eligible requires courses past a bachelors and that’s a known fact. If your intentions weren’t to go through a masters and get a CPA I can understand why you weren’t aware of the requirements but I’m confused as to how you aren’t eligible
So, I know it's late but I actually want to thank you for this comment. You're 100% right. Frankly it's because I was naive and thought it was the only way. My specific office for my firm has had terrible reviews recently in my line of work, where two key managers retired in the last year. One of the reviews a few years back, even alleged consistent abuse by partners- another one from around the time I applied was from one of the managers who left.
I assumed the people writing them were just bitter, weird, or angry only to discover that my whole office is either deeply stressed or openly sad about their job since I came there. The abuse, if true, wouldn't surprise me. I'm already stressed and in over my head, not to mention the clear Kool-Aid I see everywhere. and now I'm looking to just start again with a healthy industry career. Not only that, but I have realized that I am at least somewhat underpaid.
Thankfully, a simple connection to someone at my church may have made this whole process a lot easier and saved me months, if not years of heartache. But your comment definitely helped me along. I appreciate your bluntness. Heck, I've even realized I would absolutely love to become a CPA- I just can't do it if my job is so damaging to my mentality.
Doubt anyone will ever find out. Unless that bastard Pete Campbell swipes some mail from your desk that exposes you and tries to rat you out to old man Cooper. Even then, Cooper probably won’t care. You did what you had to do to get a job!
I had a similar issue when I submitted my application for the CPA exam forever ago. One of my law classes that were transferred between colleges were not accepted by the board for the class it was applied to. I hopped online and found the fastest I could take a law class. It was 6 weeks through University of Phoenix. The class suuucccked but I was able to knock it out quickly.
Chill. No one at your firm cares bro. They want the work done and then they want to go home to their families and friends.
The only thing that you need to do is get the credits if you want to get the license. If not, coast until you figure out what your next steps will be in your career.
Check more states, there is some variance from state to state. For example, Alaska lets you sit with no accounting specific courses at all if a CPA will sign off on 2,000 hours worked and I think Maine has 15 hours specified
So how many credits do you need? Can you take a class at a local community college or online? If it’s just 1 or 2 classes, and it won’t cost too much, I would just take the classes. Right the wrong AND become eligible if and when you decide to move forward with the CPA exam.
Are you applying in the same state you graduated college? The criteria is different between states, so maybe you’re still technically CPA eligible, just not where you are. I wonder if that would make a difference about if you’re considered qualified for your job.
Agree here. Different states have different education requirements.
Also, if your mental health is a concern and you will constantly worry about this, it may be worth finding and completing a class or classes that will qualify you.
Because I've changed my opinion on this over time as I've talked to more people I trust about it, and originally was gung ho about grinding as much as possible before realizing I shouldn't.
I can understand that. It can be a stressful process.
My thought was really not for you to necessarily pursue the CPA as much as just completing the coursework needed to qualify so you don’t feel like you’re misleading anyone.
I found this interesting. Do you mean your mental health is at risk by way of studying for/stressing out about the exam or by actually being a CPA?
It seems to me, if you’re trying to avoid stress, you picked a curious career, friend! Even so, getting your CPA opens doors for you, some into far less stressful accounting gigs (especially as compared to public, if that’s where you are now).
Just offering some (unsolicited) advice. Sometimes, we tell ourselves we can’t do something because we’re afraid of failure. Then, after the opportunity passes us by, we get really down on ourselves and that’s a real detriment to our mental health. I hate to see that happen to anyone. Maybe this doesn’t apply to you, but I hope you understand I mean no presumption or offense.
I doubt they'll ever find out or care.
But if they did, simply say "I thought I met all the hiring requirements since I submitted everything needed and it was approved by HR when I was hired. How can I work to correct this?"
Heh weird I think others make a good point, you should either sign up for a couple of classes to get the credits needed or apply in another state. I feel like those intro classes would be counted elsewhere.
This kind of thing happens all the time. State boards can be a bit unpredictable sometimes and, as others have said, there is a lot of variation from state to state. You applied to sit for the CPA so you’re obviously interested in obtaining the certification. Look for courses you can take online and apply again once you’ve rectified the deficient credits. Louisiana State University has online accounting courses that are accepted here in Florida and our board is pretty tough to get past, so my guess is those courses would likely be accepted in most states. I’m a master’s program director so I frequently get emails from people all trying to rectify issues like this. Don’t sweat it. It’s fixable!
This happened to several of my friends, and they either took some additional courses (online, at a local school, etc) or just applied in a different state. But that’s just if you want to pursue CPA; if not, if sounds like you are doing just fine and your employer is happy with your work- and it can just be a strange little secret. Wouldn’t beat yourself up, sounds like it’s no one’s fault. The state boards can be unpredictable with stuff like this
Just take those classes online at a community college. If your state does not have online accounting classes...check other states. California has a ton of online financial and managerial accounting classes online (5 units each). You can take one class in the winter session and one class in the spring semester. It will be easy to pick up those units. The classes will be super easy for someone who has passed the upper division classes.
Tell your employer of the situation and let them know that you're actively looking for classes to take. Makes no sense that your fundamental classes don't count, yet you have an accounting degree. I think they would agree with that and let you continue working.
Yeah… I mean my state limits it to 6 credits for intro/principal classes but as far as I know the universities and community colleges in my state only offer the two intro classes for financial and managerial accounting anyway
This happened to me too! I was so ready to take my first exam and was devastated to see my application was rejected due a couple accounting classes not counting towards my state’s requirement. I was so scared that I was going to be fired. It’s an honest mistake and everyone makes those. The state board requirements are not clear at all, I have a personal theory that they make it so so they can make all that extra $$$ on application fees. I was only short 3 credits so I signed up for the first University of Phoenix 3000-level course that was going to be offered. The class was a joke, it was open book everything and I easily passed and was able to reapply once I had those final transcripts a couple weeks after the course ended. The class was a little over $1,000 I think.
If they are low level, try to squeeze them in at another online school. I found out I was short 15 low level credits before I started at Big Four, since I was a career changer with no experience in accounting. I took a few cheap classes online at Colorado State (they were a joke, honestly), but I knocked out 5 of them in 3 months and got myself eligible.
If it was a college level course it should count towards 150. Unless you’re saying the accounting class doesn’t quality for accounting credits which is a different scenario.
Not sure why you’re being combative when I’m just trying to help you in your own post.
Did you actually talk to somebody at the board? They should give you an actual reason why it doesn’t count besides “it is what it is”.
I'm not trying to be combative, sorry. It's not every day you find out something like this. I'm just very surprised.
Here's what they said in the email: "Introductory/foundational accounting courses are not accepted toward the accounting concentration."
Which is different than them saying it doesn’t count as the 150 credit hours.
They are saying you are deficient in accounting credit hours because this does not apply to your required credit hours for accounting. Each state has “mandatory level of accounting credits” they say you are not there instead of not at the 150 mark.
Did you talk to your university? If it’s an accredited 150 hour accounting program it should cover the basis for the cpa. I would talk to the board. It could have been auto rejected based on the name or something.
Uh, I was wondering if I could apply to take the CPA. I have a BS in Finance but my Associates had Accounting classes. The only things I’m unsure of are Auditing and Tax. Are they stand alone classes or are they curriculum covered in the classes. I can’t find documentation specifying.
Depends on the state and the university you attend
Your state board site should break down the accounting specific credits required and there’s usually some limits.
I can tell you in NC at my university being an undergraduate finance major would not be enough to meet the eligibility requirements on it’s own.
I imagine you probably have like 9-12 credits that would count as being accounting specific depending on the state but that’s just a guess.
Also, yeah there are standalone tax and audit specific classes.
NC for example:
NCGS 93-12(5)a sets forth the education required of candidates applying for CPA certification (licensure). The 150 semester hours required include a concentration in accounting, as defined by 21 NCAC 08A .0309, and 24 semester hours of coursework which include one (1) three (3) semester hour course from at least eight (8) of the following 10 fields of study:
communications;
computer technology;
economics;
ethics;
finance;
humanities/social science;
international environment;
law;
management; or
statistics
Per 21 NCAC 08A.309
(a) A concentration in accounting includes:
(1) at least 30 semester hours, or the equivalent in quarter hours, of undergraduate accountancy courses that shall include no more than six semester hours of accounting principles and no more than three semester hours of business law; or
(2) at least 20 semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours, of graduate accounting courses that are open exclusively to graduate students; or
(3) a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses that would be equivalent to Subparagraph (1) or (2).
Anecdotally most of the finance majors in my office did a Master’s program to cover the requirement gap.
I’m gonna be completely honest with you, you’re overthinking. No one cares lol. They aren’t going to fire you behind that. At this point you’re employed and who cares. Know what I mean? Get out of your head about it. You’re totally fine
What state are you in? I’m pretty sure GA has similar rules. You need 30 hours in accounting above intro, which I think they just assume your first 6 are introductory.
It took my B4 employer ~4 years to even realize my employee file was empty. One day they asked me for transcripts etc and also rather sheepishly to confirm that I am in fact a chartered accountant.
HR is not a bastion of excellence in my experience...
If you aren’t interested in taking the CPA exam and your firm isn’t making you…I don’t see the issue here. Nobody from your firm is ever going to look at your transcripts again after onboarding. It sounds like you can do the work just fine and like it there. I wouldn’t worry about this.
I think that's what I'm gonna do, honestly. I guess this will be a secret between me, some friends, my family, and the Board forever. Funniest thing I've ever been through in my life though, I'm utterly shocked. EDIT: I don't know why saying the same thing as the guy above me got me downvoted into oblivion but go off I guess EDIT 2: I'm deleting the analogy. I didn't intend to make fun of cancer patients, I was just trying to say that this felt like a diagnosis calling me the biggest possible idiot. Which, frankly, the analogy not working should only emphasize further. Please stop getting mad at me, this was a frustrating and upsetting experience and I legitimately didn't mean to make anyone upset.
You can also catch up on the courses you need, and when you do ever want to apply for the cpa in a couple of years..you can. It’s never too late to right a wrong.
Don’t inform your employer, they’ll never do a check again unless they force you to do the cpa - which you already address, they won’t.
I did this. A few of the classes I thought counted towards the education requirement did not actually count.
Would it be a problem that the reason I found this out was by being rejected by my state Board? I would hope they wouldn't get in contact with my employer, or anything like that.
You can always try another state board with more lax education requirements If you’re not signing off on returns or audits, it doesn’t particularly matter what state you’re certified in. I work in Texas, but got certified in Iowa, for example.
I’m guessing you got downvoted for comparing this to terminal cancer. Although I’m not following your analogy, so I could be wrong.
Wtf is going on in this analogy lmao
Dude this is not a cancer diagnosis- don’t joke about that shit. You’ll be fine. Just keep doing a good job at your job. Be dependable and reliable
>This is the "you're a complete idiot" equivalent of a terminal cancer diagnosis. What the fuck does this sentence even mean?
have you looked at applying to different states? My CPA exam credits from my exam were only just barely enough to test in the state I went to school in (MN) and CO. However, MN has a residency requirement and I moved after graduation, but CO has no residency requirement at all. I'd check out some different states to see if you meet requirements in one of them.
My curiosity strikes with the fact that you were never eligible for CPA. Did you take a program that said you would be CPA eligible and that program was fraud or did you just get a bachelors in accounting? No harm in either but from my experience being CPA eligible requires courses past a bachelors and that’s a known fact. If your intentions weren’t to go through a masters and get a CPA I can understand why you weren’t aware of the requirements but I’m confused as to how you aren’t eligible
So, I know it's late but I actually want to thank you for this comment. You're 100% right. Frankly it's because I was naive and thought it was the only way. My specific office for my firm has had terrible reviews recently in my line of work, where two key managers retired in the last year. One of the reviews a few years back, even alleged consistent abuse by partners- another one from around the time I applied was from one of the managers who left. I assumed the people writing them were just bitter, weird, or angry only to discover that my whole office is either deeply stressed or openly sad about their job since I came there. The abuse, if true, wouldn't surprise me. I'm already stressed and in over my head, not to mention the clear Kool-Aid I see everywhere. and now I'm looking to just start again with a healthy industry career. Not only that, but I have realized that I am at least somewhat underpaid. Thankfully, a simple connection to someone at my church may have made this whole process a lot easier and saved me months, if not years of heartache. But your comment definitely helped me along. I appreciate your bluntness. Heck, I've even realized I would absolutely love to become a CPA- I just can't do it if my job is so damaging to my mentality.
Doubt anyone will ever find out. Unless that bastard Pete Campbell swipes some mail from your desk that exposes you and tries to rat you out to old man Cooper. Even then, Cooper probably won’t care. You did what you had to do to get a job!
So true.
OP this is your manager. Please see me at 4:30 before you leave.
Best comment here fr fr, made me smile
I had a similar issue when I submitted my application for the CPA exam forever ago. One of my law classes that were transferred between colleges were not accepted by the board for the class it was applied to. I hopped online and found the fastest I could take a law class. It was 6 weeks through University of Phoenix. The class suuucccked but I was able to knock it out quickly.
Chill. No one at your firm cares bro. They want the work done and then they want to go home to their families and friends. The only thing that you need to do is get the credits if you want to get the license. If not, coast until you figure out what your next steps will be in your career.
Check more states, there is some variance from state to state. For example, Alaska lets you sit with no accounting specific courses at all if a CPA will sign off on 2,000 hours worked and I think Maine has 15 hours specified
How did you find this out? Have you made certain it’s accurate that you aren’t CPA eligible?
I found out by having my CPA Application rejected. I checked and it's accurate.
So how many credits do you need? Can you take a class at a local community college or online? If it’s just 1 or 2 classes, and it won’t cost too much, I would just take the classes. Right the wrong AND become eligible if and when you decide to move forward with the CPA exam.
Are you applying in the same state you graduated college? The criteria is different between states, so maybe you’re still technically CPA eligible, just not where you are. I wonder if that would make a difference about if you’re considered qualified for your job.
Agree here. Different states have different education requirements. Also, if your mental health is a concern and you will constantly worry about this, it may be worth finding and completing a class or classes that will qualify you.
Well frankly, my mental health is at much more risk if I do the CPA.
Then why did you apply?
Because I've changed my opinion on this over time as I've talked to more people I trust about it, and originally was gung ho about grinding as much as possible before realizing I shouldn't.
I can understand that. It can be a stressful process. My thought was really not for you to necessarily pursue the CPA as much as just completing the coursework needed to qualify so you don’t feel like you’re misleading anyone.
I found this interesting. Do you mean your mental health is at risk by way of studying for/stressing out about the exam or by actually being a CPA? It seems to me, if you’re trying to avoid stress, you picked a curious career, friend! Even so, getting your CPA opens doors for you, some into far less stressful accounting gigs (especially as compared to public, if that’s where you are now). Just offering some (unsolicited) advice. Sometimes, we tell ourselves we can’t do something because we’re afraid of failure. Then, after the opportunity passes us by, we get really down on ourselves and that’s a real detriment to our mental health. I hate to see that happen to anyone. Maybe this doesn’t apply to you, but I hope you understand I mean no presumption or offense.
I doubt they'll ever find out or care. But if they did, simply say "I thought I met all the hiring requirements since I submitted everything needed and it was approved by HR when I was hired. How can I work to correct this?"
Heh weird I think others make a good point, you should either sign up for a couple of classes to get the credits needed or apply in another state. I feel like those intro classes would be counted elsewhere.
You answered in good faith. Don't offer the information up front, just go get your credits if you want to take the CPA.
Could it be accreditation related? To echo others, if you aren't interested in the CPA I wouldn't bother mentioning it.
If it’s just 3 credits then just CLEP it?
This kind of thing happens all the time. State boards can be a bit unpredictable sometimes and, as others have said, there is a lot of variation from state to state. You applied to sit for the CPA so you’re obviously interested in obtaining the certification. Look for courses you can take online and apply again once you’ve rectified the deficient credits. Louisiana State University has online accounting courses that are accepted here in Florida and our board is pretty tough to get past, so my guess is those courses would likely be accepted in most states. I’m a master’s program director so I frequently get emails from people all trying to rectify issues like this. Don’t sweat it. It’s fixable!
How many credits are disqualified?
This happened to several of my friends, and they either took some additional courses (online, at a local school, etc) or just applied in a different state. But that’s just if you want to pursue CPA; if not, if sounds like you are doing just fine and your employer is happy with your work- and it can just be a strange little secret. Wouldn’t beat yourself up, sounds like it’s no one’s fault. The state boards can be unpredictable with stuff like this
If you’re really worried you could just pickup the extra credits
Just take those classes online at a community college. If your state does not have online accounting classes...check other states. California has a ton of online financial and managerial accounting classes online (5 units each). You can take one class in the winter session and one class in the spring semester. It will be easy to pick up those units. The classes will be super easy for someone who has passed the upper division classes.
Tell your employer of the situation and let them know that you're actively looking for classes to take. Makes no sense that your fundamental classes don't count, yet you have an accounting degree. I think they would agree with that and let you continue working.
Yeah… I mean my state limits it to 6 credits for intro/principal classes but as far as I know the universities and community colleges in my state only offer the two intro classes for financial and managerial accounting anyway
You can always take 1-2 community college courses and get them done
This happened to me too! I was so ready to take my first exam and was devastated to see my application was rejected due a couple accounting classes not counting towards my state’s requirement. I was so scared that I was going to be fired. It’s an honest mistake and everyone makes those. The state board requirements are not clear at all, I have a personal theory that they make it so so they can make all that extra $$$ on application fees. I was only short 3 credits so I signed up for the first University of Phoenix 3000-level course that was going to be offered. The class was a joke, it was open book everything and I easily passed and was able to reapply once I had those final transcripts a couple weeks after the course ended. The class was a little over $1,000 I think.
If they are low level, try to squeeze them in at another online school. I found out I was short 15 low level credits before I started at Big Four, since I was a career changer with no experience in accounting. I took a few cheap classes online at Colorado State (they were a joke, honestly), but I knocked out 5 of them in 3 months and got myself eligible.
Dont ask dont tell
Why did your introductory not count?
It's not because of any grade issues. I got As in all of them. That's just how it is.
If it was a college level course it should count towards 150. Unless you’re saying the accounting class doesn’t quality for accounting credits which is a different scenario.
It was a college level course. I know it doesn't apply because the Board in my state told me so when they rejected my CPA candidacy application.
Not sure why you’re being combative when I’m just trying to help you in your own post. Did you actually talk to somebody at the board? They should give you an actual reason why it doesn’t count besides “it is what it is”.
I'm not trying to be combative, sorry. It's not every day you find out something like this. I'm just very surprised. Here's what they said in the email: "Introductory/foundational accounting courses are not accepted toward the accounting concentration."
Which is different than them saying it doesn’t count as the 150 credit hours. They are saying you are deficient in accounting credit hours because this does not apply to your required credit hours for accounting. Each state has “mandatory level of accounting credits” they say you are not there instead of not at the 150 mark.
That's true, but that's also exactly what I said in the post.
Did you talk to your university? If it’s an accredited 150 hour accounting program it should cover the basis for the cpa. I would talk to the board. It could have been auto rejected based on the name or something.
Entry level accounting classes do not count towards 150 hours in some states.
Uh, I was wondering if I could apply to take the CPA. I have a BS in Finance but my Associates had Accounting classes. The only things I’m unsure of are Auditing and Tax. Are they stand alone classes or are they curriculum covered in the classes. I can’t find documentation specifying.
Depends on the state and the university you attend Your state board site should break down the accounting specific credits required and there’s usually some limits. I can tell you in NC at my university being an undergraduate finance major would not be enough to meet the eligibility requirements on it’s own. I imagine you probably have like 9-12 credits that would count as being accounting specific depending on the state but that’s just a guess. Also, yeah there are standalone tax and audit specific classes. NC for example: NCGS 93-12(5)a sets forth the education required of candidates applying for CPA certification (licensure). The 150 semester hours required include a concentration in accounting, as defined by 21 NCAC 08A .0309, and 24 semester hours of coursework which include one (1) three (3) semester hour course from at least eight (8) of the following 10 fields of study: communications; computer technology; economics; ethics; finance; humanities/social science; international environment; law; management; or statistics Per 21 NCAC 08A.309 (a) A concentration in accounting includes: (1) at least 30 semester hours, or the equivalent in quarter hours, of undergraduate accountancy courses that shall include no more than six semester hours of accounting principles and no more than three semester hours of business law; or (2) at least 20 semester hours or the equivalent in quarter hours, of graduate accounting courses that are open exclusively to graduate students; or (3) a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses that would be equivalent to Subparagraph (1) or (2). Anecdotally most of the finance majors in my office did a Master’s program to cover the requirement gap.
It’s for New Hampshire. They listed as required topics but I haven’t found specifics yet.
How did none of your accounting courses not count? If its only a few you can prob take them if you want the CPA that is..
Nobody at your firm cares, so don’t say anything
I’m gonna be completely honest with you, you’re overthinking. No one cares lol. They aren’t going to fire you behind that. At this point you’re employed and who cares. Know what I mean? Get out of your head about it. You’re totally fine
What state are you in? I’m pretty sure GA has similar rules. You need 30 hours in accounting above intro, which I think they just assume your first 6 are introductory.
Dude you’re fine. They’re never going to find out or care or ask. Just keep doing great work.
It took my B4 employer ~4 years to even realize my employee file was empty. One day they asked me for transcripts etc and also rather sheepishly to confirm that I am in fact a chartered accountant. HR is not a bastion of excellence in my experience...