TESC alumni - needs addl credits for CPA

Discussion in 'CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit' started by RMSHR3, Nov 1, 2013.

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  1. RMSHR3

    RMSHR3 New Member

    So I finished my degree in 2012 (it is good to be back).

    I am planning to attempt the CPA exam but am missing some accounting credits. I have a few courses as part of the degree and another one from the MBA. I was planning to take the remaining through StraighterLine and 'bank' it at TESC. However, the registrar office is asking to open a credit bank. I have a feeling that that is probably not the right way to go. When I called them upm, they said it will just show up in the same transcript except under the section 'Other' (which seems to agree with this post).

    TESC and Credit Banking

    Does anybody have any experience with this and suggestions on what is the best way to proceed - open a credit bank or continue with SL/transfer the credits and see what happens?

    Thanks.
     
  2. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    You would have to check with your state regulatory agency to see if a credit bank transcript would be accepted. Technically, credits on a credit bank transcript haven't been officially accepted by a school. Here's a little secret I learned from someone else on the other forum (you seemed to have discovered that post, but I will clarify what it means). If you graduated from TESC and apply for a new program, they will automatically put your newly evaluated credits on to your official transcript. As an alumnus, applying is free. I already have a BA from TESC, and when I applied for the BSBA, the credits I earned after the BA were permanently placed on to my official transcript. I can't remember if my credits show up under "other." I don't even know if I still have the latest version of my transcript.

    I can't guarantee you that it's still the case or that TESC won't eventually catch on.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 2, 2013
  3. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Would they REALLY just take the credits without needing to see the transcripts from the original institution? I'd be surprised, but I come from no accounting experience. Maybe I will be surprised.

    I have two alternatives, if you are up for considering them. You can find an online community college that offers accountng courses (example: Clovis Community College) or find independent study courses (example: Louisiana State University). But you'd still want to double check if your state has a limit on how many online or independent study courses they accept towards meeting eligibility to sit for the CPA.
     
  4. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    That's what I was thinking. I was wondering if they'll require that the accounting credits come from a regionally accredited institution or just an accredited institution. Straighterline is not an accredited college, and the TESC transcript will say the credits came from elsewhere.
     
  5. instant000

    instant000 Member

    Just make sure that you meet your prospective state's requirements, as some states require some credits be gained in the traditional way. That is, CPA requirements, as far as I can tell, are state-specific.

    See Texas, for example:
    TSBPA - Examination - Requirements Overview

    I just don't want you to waste any time on your coursework.

    Hope this helps.
     
  6. RMSHR3

    RMSHR3 New Member

    I was planning on applying in NH. I have till July to take advantage of their 'non-standard' requirements.
    New Hampshire | NASBA

    "...12 must be in accounting earned either within the bachelor’s degree or earned outside the bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or college that is accredited.....Education requirements must be met through academic coursework completed at an accredited institution. "

    The wordings here seem to indicate that SL may not work?

    I am thinking a TECEP might clarify. TESC has 2 TECEP courses at the ACC level which will work perfectly. The problem with TECEP is that I will ahve to wait till Dec before I can take the test and then another 2-3 weeks for it to show up in the transcript which effectively pushes off the application process to next year. No big deal and probably may be the only viable option.
     
  7. RMSHR3

    RMSHR3 New Member

    There seem to be other (probably better) options than TECEP. The only constraint I have is that I wanted to get done with the admin-related stuff before the winter semester starts (December).

    The UNA program looks quite promising (everything online)
    University of North Alabama Professional Accounting Prep Program - Enroll

    However, I am not sure that I am reading this correctly. Their enrollment page says that it is possible to finish a course in 1 month. So 4 exams (along with a few assignments thrown in between) - all within 4 weeks? I am going to call them up on Monday (I missed the deadline by 1 day - may have to beg a little) but if anybody has some info on this, can you please let me know?

    Thanks.
     
  8. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    A popular option for relatively cheap, self-paced courses is LSU's independent study courses like Maniac Craniac mentioned. Unless they specify that the institution has to be regionally accredited, Penn Foster might do. They offer several self-paced accounting courses. Some of them are also ACE-approved which will get them on to a TESC transcript.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2013
  9. friartuck

    friartuck New Member

    It's one thing to sit for the CPA exam, another to become licensed. NH requires that your experience be supervised by a licensed CPA. If this is true for you, then the path you've described might be a good one. If not, you're just taking the exam to no productive end.

    Also, where are you located? I believe that NH under the old rules was a non-conforming state and you'd have trouble x-fering license, or working as a CPA in another state.

    If you've been working under the supervision of a CPA you might also try Penn Foster individual accounting courses. I think there are about 4 or 5 that would work for you at about $300 a shot and they're self paced.

    What everybody else said, consult with your CPA board because each jurisdiction has very specific requirements not only for education but experience.

    Good luck.
     

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