CPA designation with only an Associate Degree 60 credit Hours!!

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by xecuter, Jul 23, 2008.

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  1. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    Hello all,

    I have been a while on this forum, read most of the threads and let me say this: you are all "experts" and to be honest, I learned a great deal from you guys and found answers to many questions I had.

    I was having some trouble registering on the forum but thanks to Admin "Bruce" who completed my registration manually!!!

    Ok, I am currently doing my Accounting diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (Will graduate in May of 2009) and have read many threads about the CPA designation but never really found any about getting a CPA with only an Associates degree and 60 credit hours of course work completed instead of 120 or 150 hours!!

    Yes, I can see that the Delaware CPA only requires an Associate degree with 3 years of work experience. So simply if you are not planning on working as a CPA in your state or if you are an international student and only want the designation to "show off" or to increase your current salary a few thousands a year!

    Here is a link to the requirements of the CPA, Delaware:
    http://www.beckercpa.com/delaware/index.cfm

    And here is another link that has so much info about getting a CPA:
    http://www.cpanet.com/cpa_forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8103&PN=1

    Now my question is: would this CPA be a good designation to get? Would it be as respected as other CPAs from different States?

    P.S. "Please do not make fun of my English Language because I am an international student in Canada and I am sure there will be a few mistakes in my posts"

    Thanks
     
  2. Vincey37

    Vincey37 New Member

    What do you intend to do after you are a CPA?

    Generally speaking, you may not practice public accounting if you do not have a license in the state you wish to work in.

    - Vincey37 (passed the CPA exam but not yet licensed)
     
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I believe that Vermont also allows you to sit for the CPA exam with only an associate's. But Vincey is right. You'll need to earn your CPA designation in the state wherein you wish to practice.
     
  4. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    Vincey, I know I will not be practicing in the Us but it's enough to have the CPA prestige. It will make it a whole lot easier to get a job.


    Ted, You're right, Vermont used to accept Associates but not any more. They now require a Bachelor degree. Delaware is the only state that has an Associates degree requirement.
     
  5. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    I'm glad that you asked this question because I am in a similar situation. The Texas CPA requires that you receive at least half of the required accounting classes in an actual classroom.
     
  6. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    Glor, What about the LSU? You cannot complete the courses through the LSU independent program?
     
  7. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    The LSU independent study courses are not held in a classroom, so I doubt that would work.



    Tom
     
  8. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    This is taken from the Texas CPA website:

    "At least 15 of these hours [from the 30 credits of accounting courses] must result from physical attendance at classes meeting regularly on the campus of the transcript-issuing institution."

    Additional rules state that the classes must be without repeat and that the applicant must also have a series of 24 business credits that are all from the upper level.

    I'm taking classes towards a BS in business administration from Franklin University in Ohio. I am considering taking some extra accounting courses since it seems that a lot of federal jobs require at least 24 credits of accounting (trying to stay with a federal job to keep my retirement), and since I was at it I figured I'd take a full thirty in case I had a chance to take the CPA. I guess I won't be worrying about that now.
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

  10. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    Do they actually make an effort to verify this?
     
  11. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    That is a good question. I would think that they wouldn't. They do require transcripts though, so who knows.
     
  12. DBA_Curious

    DBA_Curious New Member

    I hold an MBA and a CPA license. As someone who did exactly what this thread author is considering, here's my $0.02.

    If you pick up a CPA license from a state that's not substantially equivalent with most others (and Delaware is one of those less than 'substantially equivalent' states), you'll be able to use your CPA designation on resumes and such but working as a CPA at a CPA firm will be dicey, unless, of course, said firm is in Delaware and ONLY has clients in Delaware.

    If you goal is to get this solely to facilitate a management career, and not a public accounting career, it will work well for you. Just be aware that if you seek reciprocity in a different state, you may be denied.

    It all depends on what your goals are. I know some states expressly forbid even community college credits for the CPA exam. Pretty silly in my opinion but it is what it is...
     
  13. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    If you pick up a CPA license from a state that's not substantially equivalent with most others (and Delaware is one of those less than 'substantially equivalent' states), you'll be able to use your CPA designation on resumes and such but working as a CPA at a CPA firm will be dicey, unless, of course, said firm is in Delaware and ONLY has clients in Delaware.

    DBA, thanks for your advice but that is exactly what I intend to do. For me, as an international student, I will not be working in the US and not planning to. But if I go back home with a CPA it's really easy to get a job at any of the BIG FOUR.

    They always mention in their job requirement that holding a CPA is an added asset. They do not really care where you got your CPA from. So why not do it?
     
  14. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    Randell,

    I checked South Carolina and Vermont. They do not require 150 hours but if you read through their requirements, they still need a Bachelor degree.

    Unlike Delaware. They only require a 2 year Associate with a few accounting courses.
     
  15. xecuter

    xecuter Guest

    Glor,
    What if you take classes at lets say Univ of wyoming, Univ of North Dakt. how would they know if you earned the credits through distance education?

    I called these schools and they confirmed that there will be no distinction on their transcripts saying that you earned the credits through distance education.
     
  16. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Even then, you have to be careful. Suppose, for example, that you live or work in California, but that your CPA license is from Delaware. Your out-of-state license is legally worthless in California: it gives you no legal right to practice, and no legal right to the CPA title.

    If you have a valid Delaware CPA license, then it's legal to advertise that fact in California -- as long as you add some kind of disclaimer or parenthetical note to make it clear that your CPA license is from Delaware and not California. Otherwise, your use of the "CPA" title could be perceived as misleading, and could subject you to legal penalties.
     
  17. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    xecuter, I think you may be right. I checked a different part of their website and it said something about allowing distance courses as long as they are equal to courses taken at a traditional classroom. But then that blurb about half being in a classroom was a couple paragraphs further down the page, so who knows that they really require. I really don't think that they have the time to check up on every class that every applicant takes, and since my school also has a campus then I might be ok.
     
  18. DBA_Curious

    DBA_Curious New Member

    It would be very hard for me to argue with you because that's what I did.

    True but the way you manage that is you write: Certified Public Accountant - License issued by state of XX (permit # xxxxxx)

    No state would go after a person because of a clearly disclosed resume blurb. On the other hand, if the person was somehow holding himself out as a CPA (as in signing audited financial documents as John Doe, CPA), then yes, you're correct. If you live in a state or maintain an office in a state and practice public accounting in that same state, you need that state's license.

    However, most states are moving towards substantial equivalency which does give a right to practice in a reciprocal manner so long as a person doesn't live in the state or maintain a permanent office in the state. For instance, my VA license gives me a right of practice in most states so long as it's a temporary assignment. If I move however, I should obtain a new license from my new state of residence IF I'm employed in a public accounting capacity within that new state.

    It's clear as mud. I know...
     
  19. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Vermont requires 120 hours (but no degree) to sit for the CPA exam. South Carolina requires 120 hours (but no degree) to sit for the CPA exam but 150 hours to receive the CPA license. Now, who exactly would accumulate 120 hours but take no degree?
     
  20. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    haha...i would

    i'm at 170 with no degree...but that's a long story that would be better suited with its own thread

    at least i have a really well-rounded education...
     

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