Just curious anybody who graduated from the "Big 3" had any issues when applying for the CPA exam? I was looking at the requirements and it mentions for pathway 2 that you need a total of 150 semester credits. I also noticed it says "The Board accepts only courses from degree-granting colleges and universities, or other institutions of learning that are recognized by the U.S. regional institution accrediting agency or a national accrediting agency." Here is my question. I have about 30 units from CLEP exams, MCSE, A+ and other business law courses that I was given credit, as those were listed in ACE. None of these courses I completed is not part of national accrediting agency, but Excelsior College added those for credit under business. Does anybody know if dca.ca.gov will question this even if a college that is regionally accredited counted these toward my business degree? I don't know how much they will question it, because I was advised once I get my degree, the final transcript will show where I complete those courses. I wanted to contact them but it also states "the board will not discuss coursework over the telephone or via email without a current application on file." Page 10 http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/publications/exambk1.pdf As for business-related subjects, I do have 24+ for that criteria, but if they look at my business degree from Excelsior, would they subtract the CLEP, MCSE, A+, and other business law courses I obtain from non-accredited sources for the 150 credits? I am thinking by the time I get my 24 accounting credits, I will be around 160, but don't know if they will review the Excelsior transcript and noticed the 20 upper division business law credit from http://www.aeiclaimslaw.com/college.htm These courses were added to ACE and Excelsior counted them. Sorry for the long winded post. I'm undecided if I should just complete my degree at Excelsior College for B.S. in General Business (4 classes left) and get my 24 accounting credit at local community college or switch to Excelsior's B.S. in Business accounting concentration. Joe
I have no knowledge of CPA requirements. However, assuming you live in California, it sounds like your best option is to complete the BS in General Business then take any additional courses you might need through community college(s). This should save you some money. As an alternate to the CC courses consider taking post grad courses; these could then be used towards a MBA or other masters degree.
here's what the folks at the California Sciety of CPAs say: Response: Any units earned at a California community college or other accredited educational institution will count toward satisfying the 150-hour requirement for Pathway 2. Pass/fail classes that are passed also can count toward the 24 semester units of accounting-related classes and 24 semester units of business-related classes that are mandatory for both Pathway 1 and Pathway 2. In another thread I posted a link to the Georgia CPA folks who specifically stated that CLEP was not acceptable. I recommend you get the credit review from the source. Best of luck...
Thanks for the links. I was just not sure if they would scrutinize the Excelsior transcript and start subtracting from my business degree, or only focus on 24 accounting and 24 business credits. I'm fine on business side, and plan to get 24 units plus my degree to hit 150. Not sure if they question my CLEP for U.S. History, or 20 upper division business law credits that has noting to do with the 24 business units I already have from a community college. I agree, it would be much cheaper for me to get my 24 to 30 accounting units at my community college because I qualify for bog waiver, so I don't have to pay for tuition, just the books. Other question, not sure which classes to get. I completed ACCT301 Fin.Accounting Fall 2008 and taking ACCT311 Managerial Acct this semester. Both Fin. and Man accounting is counted toward my business units. Classes I am looking at. The asterisk is what I am considering: ACCT 103 Intermediate Accounting I (4sh) ACCT 104 Intermediate Accounting II (4sh) ACCT 107 Auditing (3sh) ACCT 109 Profressional Ethics for Accoutants (1sh) ACCT 111 Cost Accounting (3sh) ACCT 125 Federal and State Taxation (4sh) ACCT 153 Government Accounting ACCT 341 Accounting on the Microcomputer (2sh) Below is list of all their accounting courses http://wserver.arc.losrios.edu/catalog/Accounting.pdf Joe
By the time you complete the B.S. (General Business) at Excelsior College and the 24 credit hours in accounting from the local community college you will be ready to apply for CPA eligibility. At the same time you could enroll in an MBA degree or MS (Forensic Accounting) degree. Why would anyone question the business law credit hours?
