So, I passed all four parts of my exam a few months ago and as soon as I found out I finished, I sent my boss and one of the partners at my firm a copy of my scores, sheet showing I passed my ethics exam, and a file showing the hours worked (to support my 500 hr requirement). As of today, I’ve gotten zero response from the partner (who is supposed to fill out my form E) and limited information from my boss. It’s been over a month and a half and I’ve been asking them to let me know what the status is of my experience form. I am one month shy of my work experience at this firm, and have my 150 hour requirement fulfilled, so I know I’m ready to send in my paperwork.

I’ve done my homework and read up on which pathway I qualify for, and what forms I need to fill out, but it seems like the partner is dragging his feet in getting me my form. Although I’m one month shy of 1 year at the firm, I have three additional months of experience from my internships, so I definitely meet the one year experience requirement.

From what I’ve read on the accounting board’s site, you can still get your license with general experience (and not be able to sign off on audits, which is fine by me), and then when you have sufficient experience (probably closer to two years at my firm) I can reapply to be able to sign off on engagements. I have 500 hours of work experience but if they don’t feel that I have enough technical knowledge, I’d like them to just fill out the form where I’d be licensed but not able to sign off on engagements.

I’m VERY frustrated right now because I feel like they are just giving me the run around. Every time I try to follow up on my paperwork, they tell me that they will get back to me, or give me some kind of lame excuse. The least they can do is give me a simple update on what is going on! I know that after asking three times, the board allows you to file a complaint with them and they will intervene, but I don’t really want to go that route because I’d like to keep this civil. But I’m running out of patience… more than a month and a half is a long time to wait for a simple response.

Any suggestions on what I should do? Would you go to the board?

Thanks Calvol,

So here's the update:

I ended up talking to several people at my office and started to get very discouraged as they said that the Company probably wouldn't let me do the option where only one yr of experience is required as opposed to the full 500 hours related to audit exp. Anyway, I ended up talking directly to the partner in charge of the experience form and he agreed to sign my paperwork as soon as my 1 yr anniversary is reached... which is in several weeks. I went in with all my paperwork to show him that there is another option and that this is the one I'd like to pursue. I was really happy that he finally agreed to sign my form and am glad this is over with!  

Yay!