Can't find a CPA to sign off on experience for a license
Passing all the exams does not count toward licensure if your current employer or network lacks an active CPA willing to sign off on your hours. This leaves qualified professionals stuck unable to complete their certification because they cannot find a licensed supervisor who meets strict state direct-supervision requirements.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Searching for a new job in private industry that has an active CPA on staffDid this help you?
- 2Attempting to transfer grades and get licensed in another state jurisdictionDid this help you?
- 3Getting an Enrolled Agent credentialDid this help you?
- 4Pursuing an out-of-state CPA licenseDid this help you?
- 5Waiting to meet local experience requirements over yearsDid this help you?
- 6Contacting the state CPA board for guidance and reporting the refusalDid this help you?
- 7Negotiating and pushing back against internal firm hour policiesDid this help you?
- 8Checking state-specific rules on billable versus total hoursDid this help you?
- 9Working seasonally at tax firms like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt owned by a CPADid this help you?
- 10Working for Intuit TurboTaxDid this help you?
- 11Checking with the governing board to see if an external CPA or tax agent who reviews your work can sign offDid this help you?
- 12Waiting for an unavailable external professional to return from extended leaveDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Now my firm is saying I have to hit 2,000 billable hours not just working hours. Is this allowed? Is there anything I can do?”source ↗
“Hi there. I passed all exams and it’s been more than half a year I can’t find a way to get verified by the CPA.”source ↗
“The company I’ve worked for 5 years had outsourced CPA who potentially can sign but they say we are not doing this for our clients accountants…”source ↗
“Tried to look for another job where I will have direct CPA supervision and can request the verification more directly, but seems like I am not lucky enough to find a private industry company who has active CPA in staff.”source ↗
“I am not hanging out in the circle of accountants so I really don’t personally know any CPA who knows me and can sign off for me.”source ↗
“Looks like I’m really stuck with this problem. Did anyone go through this problem, are there other ways out from this issue that you personally know?”source ↗
“Once I complete the exam, I’m worried I won’t be able to find a CPA that will sign off on my hours.”source ↗
“It’s hard for me to just hop to a different job and because I currently bring in around 165k a year. Any job I go to will make drastically less starting out.”source ↗
“Alternatively, it’s hard to find a time to work a “second job” when my primary job is already pretty demanding.”source ↗
“California requires the CPA signing off on my experience to have directly supervised my work for one year. That did not happen, despite having over a decade of experience between two different accounting jobs.”source ↗
“CPA Ontario just came back asking me to resubmit my report along with my company’s organizational chart and externally audited financial statements.”source ↗
“I don’t think my boss will provide FS so I’m at loss now.”source ↗
“Unfortunately, no one in my company currently holds a CPA or equivalent membership and is therefore unable to sign off on my experience.”source ↗
“The Tax Agent I’m currently working with is away on holiday for two months, and he may extend his leave. So, I just wanted to check if there’s anyone who might be able to help me with the sign-off.”source ↗
Where this came up
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