torontobluejays wrote: I currently live in ontario, canada. i graduated last year and i am currently working full time as a staff accountant. i gave 2 bec exams and got 67 and 70. also gave an reg exam and got 65. i applied through the state of michigan. I am not sure if i want to continue down this track. is it possible to work full time and still have time to study for exams. also even after passing the exam, what are the chances i can get the work experience required to complete the cpa license.? should i consider doing mba?

MBA is absolutely worthless for bean counters, unless you're aspiring to do something else in life (and at this point, I wouldn't blame you). Go for an MSA, MST, or the ultimate combination of Jesus-Christ-I'll-never-repay-my-student-loans-in-this-lifet ime, JD + MST.

Working full-time and having time to study for exams depends on your willpower, firm you're working for, and overall workload (which highly fluctuates depending on your assigned client). If one of those things don't work out in your favor, forget about it.

Hi torontobluejays,

First of all, on whether to continue this track:

A lot of people here have been taking the exam and having a full time job at the same time. It is very tough but is doable.

Did you study on your own or take review courses? In my opinion review courses are crucial. It doesn't have to be live; home study DVDs are good enough esp if you don't live in the States.

So, don't give up!

But...

May I ask why you didn't try to get a CA from Canada in the first place? Or have you got it already? I am sure you have a reason.

Also, why do you pick Michigan? (because it is close to where you live? I understand you live in Ontario). The reason is that Michigan requires CPA certificate applicant to have 1 financial audit experience from an accounting firm or a (US) governmental agency.

I don't know whether you are working in an accounting firm. In case you don't, you might as well pick other states that have less restrictive working requirement. Many states requires only 1 year working experience in either public or non-public accounting.

By the way, you can register in one state and actually take the exam in another, in just you didn't realize this.

Hope it helps,

Stephanie

As somebody who is currently residing in Canada, just wanted to shed some light.

You can not take the CA exams in Canada unless you get a job offer from one of the approved accounting firms.

Just imagine if AICPA decided to adapt such a rule, probably 70% of us on this forum would not be eligible to sit for the exam.

The OP seems to be a newcomer to Canada (has been here for 5 years or less) which puts him in a disadvantage compared to local graduates when competing for jobs.

Just to let you know, Canadian CAs are only required to take the IQEX exam instead of the regular CPA exam. IQEX consists of 150 mcqs

I recently gave a detailed reply on why Canadians pursue the CPA and its value in Canada

http://www.cpanet.com/cpa_forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29326&am p;KW=caper

Quote: Also, why do you pick Michigan? (because it is close to where you live? I understand you live in Ontario). The reason is that Michigan requires CPA certificate applicant to have 1 financial audit experience from an accounting firm or a (US) governmental agency.