Official Transcript (CPA)

[RizP]

I am working on my accounting degree and I will eventually need 150 hours on a transcript to complete the CPA requirements.  The university where I am working on my degree only allows 78 transfer hours.  The additional 30 hours can be on any subject or any level. I just need the 30 hours in addition to the BS to meet the qualifications.  My dilemma is that I would like to take the lower level courses at Sophia, Study.com, Straighterline, etc., (a lower cost provider) and not be limited by my college's 78 hour rule.

Is there a service or university that will record these extra hours on an official transcript that I can send to appropriate entities to verify my college credit?

[lacussucceed]

You mean to bypass the 78 transfer limit?

[RizP]

You mean to bypass the 78 transfer limit?

No, what I mean is that I need an official college or place that would issue a transcript with all my college courses together. Since I will be taking the CPA exam, I'll need a total of 150 hours of credit. So, what i'm looking for is a place that would assemble all the courses I took.

[Marcus Aurelius]

You had better check with the AICPA first. Alternative credit may not work for the CPA requirement.

[rachel83az]

You mean to bypass the 78 transfer limit?

No, what I mean is that I need an official college or place that would issue a transcript with all my college courses together. Since I will be taking the CPA exam, I'll need a total of 150 hours of credit. So, what i'm looking for is a place that would assemble all the courses I took.

If I understand you correctly, the CPA exam wants 150 credit hours but doesn't care where they came from. Your current college will only take in 78 hours from outside sources, so you'd have to take another 72 at that college. You would prefer to bring in the 82 (I think) from Sophia, some from your current institution, and some from Study.com, etc simply in order to be eligible for the CPA exam. 

If this is the case and you're not trying to bypass the transfer limit, then you may be wanting Charter Oak's credit registry: https://www.charteroak.edu/credit-registry/

It will not bypass the 78 credit hour limit. Depending on what's going on, they may want to see original transcripts instead of Charter Oak's transcript. But it would provide a single transcript with all your credits on it if that is exactly what you need.

[lacussucceed]

You really need to check IF CPA allows for alt credit. It's one thing to have it transferred in, it's another to meet the requirement by transferred credits. If the original source matters you will be out of money for basically no result. If it is allowed, you need to look for credit banking / credit registry / ... But please first make sure this source is allowed for your CPA.

[BrianFallon]

Check your state's accountancy board for what credits they will take.  I am in the same boat and right now but cleared my plans with the Accountancy Board.

If your state's Board DOES NOT take your credit, an option is to graduate with 120 hours and enroll in a fifth year M.Acc program.  Look at University of North Alabama.  

I agree not to do a lot of work unless you know you will be able to get those three letters after your name.

[freeloader]

If your state's Board DOES NOT take your credit, an option is to graduate with 120 hours and enroll in a fifth year M.Acc program.  Look at University of North Alabama.  

Just curious—why North Alabama?  It’s AACSB accredited and RA and there is some space to specialize within the degree, but N Alabama is not an exceptional school (it’s not Alabama or even Auburn, for instance) in terms of its reputation and its more expensive than a number of other AACSB accredited masters.  ($475/credit). 

I am eyeing Emporia State in KS. Also RA/AACSB and it’s $350/ hour. Less opportunity to specialize, but I don’t feel like that is worth the difference in cost. 

Good (though not perfect) info on cheapest AACSB masters in accounting: https://www.geteducated.com/online-colle...g-degrees/

[bjcheung77]

RizP, I also recommend verifying with your state requirements as some states are different. There are alternative ways to get CPA in each state, but the majority requirements are the same 150 credits, 30 credits in Accounting, etc. You need to find out the exact details of those requirements and know what can and can't be used.

What you're looking for or asking about is a credit banking system. I think of it as a waste of money without knowing if it is what the CPA is looking at, ask them if a credit bank would work as many schools will offer that, including the Big 3. The pricing is different from school to school. Get all the details, review and then decide.

[BrianFallon]

If your state's Board DOES NOT take your credit, an option is to graduate with 120 hours and enroll in a fifth year M.Acc program.  Look at University of North Alabama.  

Just curious—why North Alabama?  It’s AACSB accredited and RA and there is some space to specialize within the degree, but N Alabama is not an exceptional school (it’s not Alabama or even Auburn, for instance) in terms of its reputation and its more expensive than a number of other AACSB accredited masters.  ($475/credit). 

I am eyeing Emporia State in KS. Also RA/AACSB and it’s $350/ hour. Less opportunity to specialize, but I don’t feel like that is worth the difference in cost. 

Good (though not perfect) info on cheapest AACSB masters in accounting: https://www.geteducated.com/online-colle...g-degrees/

Whoa - they raised their tuition.  Way up.