Going straight to private accounting?

WailingConstant
Sun, 22 Dec 2013 01:26:27 +0000

Answer: Absolutely not, all of the states that require experience towards their CPA licensure require that it come from the public arena. As mentioned, if you do not plan to work in the public accounting area, your goal is to get a license from a state that doesn’t require such and with the new Substantial Equivalency regulation, you won’t have an issue representing yourself as a CPA regardless of where you received your CPA licensure. Now, with the states of MA and CO the CPA license is restricted, for example the MA CPA License says you cannot sign off on financial statements, but all other accounting services you can perform.



Untrue. Maybe some states specifically require public accounting experience, but not all. Specifically, not mine. I am an auditor for my state, and my job serves as attest experience. See below the relevant literature:



The experience required to be demonstrated for issuance of an initial certificate
pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-12-309 shall meet the requirements of this rule:

(a) Experience shall include providing any type of services or advice
involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial
advisory, tax or consulting skills.