This might be a stupid question, but I feel confused by PA's requirement.

It says "two years, 3200 hours, with 800 hours in the attest function with a baccalaureate degree" and "experience must be gained under the supervision of a currently licensed CPA of PA". I am not sure if this means I have to work in a public accounting firm for 800 hours, or if this means I just need to work in any firms with the supervision of a CPA? Because I am going to work in a consulting firm, so I hope to know that if my experience will be counted.

Any information is appreciated. Thank you so much!!!

Hello , it depend about you are pathway 1 or 2 . do you need it Audit Experience or not ?

good luck

I am in the process of calculating my hours.  I am in PA.  1600 hours are allowed per year.  The 3200 hours needed include the 800 hours in the audit/attest function.  All of the 3200 hours require your direct supervisor or manager to be a CPA.  The 800 hours can either come from public accounting (any position in that field satisfies the audit hours) or working in a private internal audit department that has an established audit plan and reports to an audit committee.  Basically any large corp should have this.  They make it pretty hard here unless you are in public, but if you are lucky and happen to have met all but the 800 your company may be willing to work with you by allowing you to transfer or perform some work for IA while retaining some of your current duties.  And if you aren't in public, PA board will do a phone interview with your current supervisor to verify the hours.  Either way if you dont report to a CPA, none of the experience counts.  Pretty terrible huh?  Im the 'need the 800 boat' and our IA offered to work with me.  I guess at this point it depends on the offer they make me if I stay or not.  Most mid level audit jobs seem to say something like 'candidate must have passed exam' or 'working towards CPA certification' so I think they understand (at least in PA) that the requirements are a bit tough to meet.  I do SOX testing for IA now and none of that counts because technically I am not in the department.  It's tricky.  Call or email someone at PA state board of accountancy, they are really great and will help guide you through the process of deciding what experience you may have. 

corollamn30 wrote: Can I get my CPA license in Pa by being supervised by a CPA in the state. Is that the only experience I need to get certified or do I have to work in public accounting for two years. I work for the state government. If I can get my certification just by being supervised by a CPA how many years is needed in PA to get certified this way. Does anyone know or can help me out with this.

Go here:  http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=43 2421