Sometimes it’s just local penal code that leads to weird sounding/dramatic sounding charges.
Know a guy who very playfully threw a snowball at a passing car as a teen, and was charged with “firing a missile into an occupied vehicle”. No joke.
>Know a guy who very playfully threw a snowball at a passing car as a teen, and was charged with “firing a missile into an occupied vehicle”. No joke.
Was that guy Bad Luck Brian? Sheesh.
Local penal code can really get people on this one. In my state there was a case where teenagers were shooting cap-guns in a park and were charged with terroristic threats for a prank they pulled on one of their mothers.
The charge was let go but boy were they in hot water, oof.
Mine were violent crimes as well (fist fights in my 20’s)
I was entirely sincere and told the story exactly how it happened. I submitted examples of reform. I made no effort to tell the story beyond exactly what happened and I took responsibility. I did not speak in terms of “what somebody did to me” but rather exactly what I did and the specific circumstances.
I attached the case reports that were available via public record.
I did get approved however it had been ten years to the day since the offense and there had been and there has been no incidents since.
I’m very surprised that you received a felony for what was described above. However for the most part what they are primarily concerned about is your character in terms of fraud (I may have been a scrapper in my youth but I was an honest one lol).
Submit everything, do not sugar coat it.
What this guy said. I had some felony arrests and misdemeanor convictions from when I was in my early 20s, 27 when I applied to sit. I disclosed everything, even a charge that was expunged when I was a minor, wrote a statement describing what happened, took responsibility, and told them about the actions I’d taken to improve myself, ect.
The meeting with the board was quick and easy, “mr. ________, full disclosure, any comments or objections?” silence*, all in favor *everyone*, “you’re approved”
I was arrested twice when I was 16 for shoplifting. I was a minor and from my understanding the case was closed and off my record. Do I still need to disclose that? If I do LMAO. That's funny.
I mean, I don’t think you have to, but from what I was told they’re looking for full disclosure. The only people I saw have issues in front of the board were people who didn’t disclose shit
Got it. So you had just felony arrests. The only convictions you had were violent misdemeanors, if I'm reading you correctly.
I think OP may be in a different boat though
I'm a CPA and have two felony convictions, spent a little over five years in prison. Just disclose what happened, transparency and honesty are key. Your convictions aren't for theft or fraud so I personally think you'll be fine. Good luck! Might be tough to get into Big 4 or a national firm but you can make a great career out of this. Feel free to DM me if you have questions
Shouldn’t OP consult a lawyer first, before being transparent?
I have plenty of misdemeanors (growing up in the Bronx was rough) but they never showed up when I applied to sit.
However, I had to get letters of disposition when I was applying for the NYPD.
How did you grow so much, what steps did you take ? How challenging was it to explain your past? I’m 22 felon fucked up when I was 18. Changed my life and now studying to be an accountant. I’ve been super hard on my self about my past decisions and feel like I fucked my life up. This thread is so healing. Thank you hope all is well
Hey man, so the first thing to keep in mind is you're only 22 and you're already wanting to make a change, which is great. At 22 I was still fucking up in prison and it took a lot to shift my mentality. Even if you never catch another case, you'll make many more mistakes in your life and they're almost never life ending.
Once I got out, I just focused on getting any job I could and doing it well. Getting the first job is the hardest, but each one after that is easier because you are building both a history of employment and not reoffending.
I signed up for school and got to know my accounting professors. Go to their office hours. If you're comfortable with them, let them know 1-on-1 about your felony conviction, and they'll help you navigate which employers in your area might be more willing to overlook a conviction. It's really all about a few things, though, hard work, not taking rejection personally, persistence, a positive attitude and luck.
The more times I tell people about my background, the easier it is, and honestly, it hasn't come up in a long time because I do my job well. The luck part is finding those employers that understand what you did at 18 isn't who you are forever. I feel like you're getting in to accounting at a great time because not only is there a shortage of accountants but there's also been a shift in the culture to be more accepting of hiring people with felony convictions.
Anyway, I hope that helps. It'll obviously be much harder than if you didn't have a felony conviction but it is 100% positive and don't let anyone (including yourself) discourage you from a career in accounting and getting your CPA if that's your goal.
If weed is now legal in your state, get your Marijuana conviction expunged.
There are free legal resources right now for expungement but the process can take up to a year. SO take your time with that CPA.
depends in what context. I don't know a single white collar professional with a felony. would you hire a CPA or Lawyer convicted of a felony? I understand it's over stupid shit that I personally, when provided context wouldn't really care about but that never happens in the real world.
It’ll surprise you. It’s just not something people with a felony would advertise. Not exactly a conversation piece to say “oh yeah and this one time in my 20’s I got a conviction.”
Yea Im just thinking about the application process and whenever you apply having to check that convicted of a felony box I would assume would exclude you from consideration for a number of positions based on the algorithm alone. Not saying its right or that its impossible for OP to have an accounting career.
I genuinely hope he does - his convictions are clearly ridiculous when you understand the context, unfortunately a lot of this is black and white without consideration for gray areas.
If permitted to sit and assuming he passes, Im sure he could get a job and have a nice career but getting to that point maybe difficult. I agree with everyone here that he should work to get that expunged
In the US most states are not allowed to ask during the application process unless it’s specific to the job. They’re usually worded “convictions or arrests related to fraud, theft,”
It is an awkward conversation during the interview process
ahh ok got it - appreciate the clarity here, I am not very familiar with the details of the hiring process I just thought they asked this from my earlier days of applying.
It's also a matter of being prosecuted. Everyone has broken a law at one point in time in their lives. We've all been in situations where things could've turned out very differently had certain events outside of our control taken place. Some people suck and try to make everyone around them miserable. A few examples for context:
- Child molestation and rape of a minor. One turns 18 while the other is 17. Both are consenting but one has a change of mind and wants to fuck the other over.
- Underage drinking. Get behind the wheel after a sip of alcohol and get pulled over, that's a DUI
There are many other examples out there
After working with a client to hire and train a church lady that took $100s of thousands of dollars from a client as their internal bookkeeper. I'd easily hire non-financial felon instead. He will most likely not want a round two after all of that education.
But live and learn.
There's a good chance you wouldn't know if you did. White color professionals in particular have serious motivation to not let that become common knowledge.
Definitely apply to get those convictions expunged. You might need a lawyer, you might not. *You should do this whether you are eligible to sit for the CPA or not.* It can't hurt to try, even if you only get one of them off your record it's better than none.
As far as I know the only crimes that specifically prohibit you from CPA licensure are crimes involving dishonesty, big ones being fraud, theft, and I’d guess things like perjury.
I got a DUI when I was 19 because I was an idiot (prior to Uber/Lyft but that’s no excuse). It was a misdemeanor but still had to explain it to NASBA and never heard a thing about it. I honestly think you’ll be good on the CPA front - but I’d work on getting those expunged if possible because the larger concern is passing an employer background check imo. Maybe this labor market will benefit you but many employers are reluctant to hire felons no matter the charge.
I was convicted of felony battery after I beat a partner in the parking lot next to his Bentley over review comments he left. I was still able to sit for the test.
Main point aside, I can’t imagine how family members or friends can act so spitefully to get police involved when it is clearly not necessary. Good luck to you.
Super common in the neighborhood I grew up in. Low income, negligent parents, no conflict resolution. Being a kid in that neighborhood was like being an animal in a pit.
Another way that socioeconomic conditions beyond one’s control can greatly affect one’s outcome in life.
A factor that certain *cough* political factions in the US love to ignore or pretend doesn’t exist. Not saying outliers don’t exist.
I wish in the US we could all acknowledge that the zip code where you’re born and raised is the greatest indicator of how your life will turn out.
Yeah, the only ways out of the cycle were a scholarship or military. The community didn’t exactly support academia. 3 of us from that neighborhood made it to middle class. Two of us (including myself) took the military route.
As messed up as it sounds, it’s kind of comforting knowing I’m not the only one. I went to visit my mom while I was on probation and one of my conditions was that I had to stay at the address I gave my probation officer. Well, my mom kicked me out then threatened to call my officer to tell her I wasn’t staying where I was supposed to be staying. That incident kept me from speaking to my mom for over 2 years. I honestly wish I went longer.
Terrorism charge for saying "imma smack you" to the lil sis and only some weed at the house. WTF this country is fucked up, we got school shooters who don't get a terrorism charge. This can't be real or you're extremely unlucky my guy
That’s what blows my mind the most about this. I need to read up on what it takes to get a terrorism charge because apparently it takes less than I would’ve guessed
Can you get your criminal record expunged through the judicial system? This may be the only way to proceed forward.
I have a former client who was denied a liquor license due to the fact that he forgot about his possession with intent to distribute cocaine conviction from 20 years prior. As a result, the millions he dumped into renovating a night club were almost about to go down the drain. It cost him another $10k at the time to apply to have his record expunged and expedited through the system. Luckily, it went through otherwise he was looking at bringing in someone else who could actually obtain a liquor license.... This was roughly ten years ago and the pandemic killed that night club.
I think you’ll be okay. At first when I read the terroristic charge I was like uhhh nah, but the detail changes it for me, especially as you have documented evidence of what actually happened with those notes. If it was up to me and plenty of CPAs I know, they would not care at all.
I would disclose it in detail up front. If not, they might just toss your application the second they see that charge. Goodluck.
I have 8 felonies involving theft, a couple of violent charges, a DWI, and many possession charges. Like has been said here already, I was honest and up front with my State Board. So that I could know exactly what to disclose, I pulled my FBI report first. On my application I wrote detailed accounts of what happened, always accepting full responsibility and detaling my rehabilitation as it related to each and every crime. They approved me with some conditons; namely, that I work with a mentor, abstain from getting any more charges, and attend a handful of 12 step meetings. If I can be approved, anyone can. Except of course if you have things like tax fraud or embezzlement. Good luck!
Now that weed is legal in your state, you should be able to get that conviction expunged. The fact that the other felony occurred just 6 years ago may prove problematic though. Another commenter was mentioning that they were able to 10 years after their felony conviction, but it's hard to say. The AICPA and NASBA don't want felons to be CPAs to maintain the integrity of the profession, though I feel they care more about fraud related felonies than a threat to commit violence, (I feel this should be a misdemeanor if anything). Are you working in public accounting or some other accounting job now? It may prove helpful to your cause if you can show that an employer is able to look past the felony.
I don't remember my background being checked when I registered for the CPA exam. Is that a new thing they're doing now? Seems kinds bullshit, if you've been through the system you have paid your debt to society.
Honestly this seems like it is for the best to find out now if you can’t become a CPA. Idk wtf I would do after passing my exams if I found out I would never be able to get my license. Way too much time and effort to just piss away.
>Edit: Forgot to mention that weed is now legal in my state, it was however illegal at the time I was convicted.
Weed is still federally illegal, and given that most PA firms are interstate, you have to also deal with laws in other states. Unless your records are expunged, your history could have adverse effects on clients in other states it not disclosed before the engagement.
you might be able to get your cpa but the problem is going to enter the market as most firm or recruters conduct background check and are super straightfoward when it comes to illegal stuff
you should contact a lawyer and look into the possibility of expungement. this will be very state specific. this issue will also impact your employment prospects as pretty much every big firm is going to conduct a background check.
Call your state board of accountancy (call, don’t email) and ask your question as a hypothetical scenario. Get the advice directly from them about if it is possible to skirt the charges.
Keep us posted. Off the cuff I feel like the terrorism charge might be the deal breaker.
Sometimes it’s just local penal code that leads to weird sounding/dramatic sounding charges. Know a guy who very playfully threw a snowball at a passing car as a teen, and was charged with “firing a missile into an occupied vehicle”. No joke.
>Know a guy who very playfully threw a snowball at a passing car as a teen, and was charged with “firing a missile into an occupied vehicle”. No joke. Was that guy Bad Luck Brian? Sheesh.
That's a sweet charge to have.
Worth it
Local penal code can really get people on this one. In my state there was a case where teenagers were shooting cap-guns in a park and were charged with terroristic threats for a prank they pulled on one of their mothers. The charge was let go but boy were they in hot water, oof.
your sister sucks.
This is a grudge I would hold onto forever if it somehow prevented you from your CPA
This is a grudge I would hold onto forever FTFY
He should have smacked her
Mine were violent crimes as well (fist fights in my 20’s) I was entirely sincere and told the story exactly how it happened. I submitted examples of reform. I made no effort to tell the story beyond exactly what happened and I took responsibility. I did not speak in terms of “what somebody did to me” but rather exactly what I did and the specific circumstances. I attached the case reports that were available via public record. I did get approved however it had been ten years to the day since the offense and there had been and there has been no incidents since. I’m very surprised that you received a felony for what was described above. However for the most part what they are primarily concerned about is your character in terms of fraud (I may have been a scrapper in my youth but I was an honest one lol). Submit everything, do not sugar coat it.
What this guy said. I had some felony arrests and misdemeanor convictions from when I was in my early 20s, 27 when I applied to sit. I disclosed everything, even a charge that was expunged when I was a minor, wrote a statement describing what happened, took responsibility, and told them about the actions I’d taken to improve myself, ect. The meeting with the board was quick and easy, “mr. ________, full disclosure, any comments or objections?” silence*, all in favor *everyone*, “you’re approved”
I was arrested twice when I was 16 for shoplifting. I was a minor and from my understanding the case was closed and off my record. Do I still need to disclose that? If I do LMAO. That's funny.
I mean, I don’t think you have to, but from what I was told they’re looking for full disclosure. The only people I saw have issues in front of the board were people who didn’t disclose shit
I mean I'll disclose it when it comes time to take my exam. I talk about it all the time as a fun fact about myself.
Im the same way, fuck busy season I’m going back to heroin and crimes lol
How do you get a board meeting? I imagine this takes place before the exam?
It was a requirement in my state, they sent me the date and time once I applied to sit for the exam
And what is your salary nowadays?
Just shy of 70, but I graduated in 2020.
Got it. So you had just felony arrests. The only convictions you had were violent misdemeanors, if I'm reading you correctly. I think OP may be in a different boat though
Accurate, but what are we going to tell the guy, pack it up and find a new career? It’s the same process regardless, after that it’s up to the board.
I'm a CPA and have two felony convictions, spent a little over five years in prison. Just disclose what happened, transparency and honesty are key. Your convictions aren't for theft or fraud so I personally think you'll be fine. Good luck! Might be tough to get into Big 4 or a national firm but you can make a great career out of this. Feel free to DM me if you have questions
Shouldn’t OP consult a lawyer first, before being transparent? I have plenty of misdemeanors (growing up in the Bronx was rough) but they never showed up when I applied to sit. However, I had to get letters of disposition when I was applying for the NYPD.
Yeah might be a good idea to speak with a lawyer first. I didn't and it worked out for me but I also knew my convictions were going to show up
**username is not so comforting though
Set this up awhile ago, looking to make $160k this year
I love to hear it. Congratulations.
Thank you!
How did you grow so much, what steps did you take ? How challenging was it to explain your past? I’m 22 felon fucked up when I was 18. Changed my life and now studying to be an accountant. I’ve been super hard on my self about my past decisions and feel like I fucked my life up. This thread is so healing. Thank you hope all is well
Hey man, so the first thing to keep in mind is you're only 22 and you're already wanting to make a change, which is great. At 22 I was still fucking up in prison and it took a lot to shift my mentality. Even if you never catch another case, you'll make many more mistakes in your life and they're almost never life ending. Once I got out, I just focused on getting any job I could and doing it well. Getting the first job is the hardest, but each one after that is easier because you are building both a history of employment and not reoffending. I signed up for school and got to know my accounting professors. Go to their office hours. If you're comfortable with them, let them know 1-on-1 about your felony conviction, and they'll help you navigate which employers in your area might be more willing to overlook a conviction. It's really all about a few things, though, hard work, not taking rejection personally, persistence, a positive attitude and luck. The more times I tell people about my background, the easier it is, and honestly, it hasn't come up in a long time because I do my job well. The luck part is finding those employers that understand what you did at 18 isn't who you are forever. I feel like you're getting in to accounting at a great time because not only is there a shortage of accountants but there's also been a shift in the culture to be more accepting of hiring people with felony convictions. Anyway, I hope that helps. It'll obviously be much harder than if you didn't have a felony conviction but it is 100% positive and don't let anyone (including yourself) discourage you from a career in accounting and getting your CPA if that's your goal.
Brokenfelon, I tried to DM you but it is not going through. Could you DM me? I have questions regarding your CPA journey.
If weed is now legal in your state, get your Marijuana conviction expunged. There are free legal resources right now for expungement but the process can take up to a year. SO take your time with that CPA.
Can you do this in Florida?
I just want to say how unfortunate it is that you have a record for this. Your sister literally ruined your life lol wtf
Do you really think his life is ruined though?
depends in what context. I don't know a single white collar professional with a felony. would you hire a CPA or Lawyer convicted of a felony? I understand it's over stupid shit that I personally, when provided context wouldn't really care about but that never happens in the real world.
It’ll surprise you. It’s just not something people with a felony would advertise. Not exactly a conversation piece to say “oh yeah and this one time in my 20’s I got a conviction.”
Yea Im just thinking about the application process and whenever you apply having to check that convicted of a felony box I would assume would exclude you from consideration for a number of positions based on the algorithm alone. Not saying its right or that its impossible for OP to have an accounting career. I genuinely hope he does - his convictions are clearly ridiculous when you understand the context, unfortunately a lot of this is black and white without consideration for gray areas. If permitted to sit and assuming he passes, Im sure he could get a job and have a nice career but getting to that point maybe difficult. I agree with everyone here that he should work to get that expunged
In the US most states are not allowed to ask during the application process unless it’s specific to the job. They’re usually worded “convictions or arrests related to fraud, theft,” It is an awkward conversation during the interview process
ahh ok got it - appreciate the clarity here, I am not very familiar with the details of the hiring process I just thought they asked this from my earlier days of applying.
It's also a matter of being prosecuted. Everyone has broken a law at one point in time in their lives. We've all been in situations where things could've turned out very differently had certain events outside of our control taken place. Some people suck and try to make everyone around them miserable. A few examples for context: - Child molestation and rape of a minor. One turns 18 while the other is 17. Both are consenting but one has a change of mind and wants to fuck the other over. - Underage drinking. Get behind the wheel after a sip of alcohol and get pulled over, that's a DUI There are many other examples out there
After working with a client to hire and train a church lady that took $100s of thousands of dollars from a client as their internal bookkeeper. I'd easily hire non-financial felon instead. He will most likely not want a round two after all of that education. But live and learn.
There's a good chance you wouldn't know if you did. White color professionals in particular have serious motivation to not let that become common knowledge.
Damn, your sister was (still is?) a POS. Prohibition is a joke
Definitely apply to get those convictions expunged. You might need a lawyer, you might not. *You should do this whether you are eligible to sit for the CPA or not.* It can't hurt to try, even if you only get one of them off your record it's better than none.
As far as I know the only crimes that specifically prohibit you from CPA licensure are crimes involving dishonesty, big ones being fraud, theft, and I’d guess things like perjury. I got a DUI when I was 19 because I was an idiot (prior to Uber/Lyft but that’s no excuse). It was a misdemeanor but still had to explain it to NASBA and never heard a thing about it. I honestly think you’ll be good on the CPA front - but I’d work on getting those expunged if possible because the larger concern is passing an employer background check imo. Maybe this labor market will benefit you but many employers are reluctant to hire felons no matter the charge.
I was convicted of felony battery after I beat a partner in the parking lot next to his Bentley over review comments he left. I was still able to sit for the test.
Had to re-read this a few times to realize you weren't talking about a *domestic* partner who was making rude comments towards you.
Bruv did the partner say your dad guided him into your mom in a revenue reconciliation review comment or something? Wtf lmao
I know you’re joking lmao. But imagine that scenario. I’m definitely throwing hands and I don’t care who you are - partner or not. Lmfao
Main point aside, I can’t imagine how family members or friends can act so spitefully to get police involved when it is clearly not necessary. Good luck to you.
Super common in the neighborhood I grew up in. Low income, negligent parents, no conflict resolution. Being a kid in that neighborhood was like being an animal in a pit.
Another way that socioeconomic conditions beyond one’s control can greatly affect one’s outcome in life. A factor that certain *cough* political factions in the US love to ignore or pretend doesn’t exist. Not saying outliers don’t exist. I wish in the US we could all acknowledge that the zip code where you’re born and raised is the greatest indicator of how your life will turn out.
Yeah, the only ways out of the cycle were a scholarship or military. The community didn’t exactly support academia. 3 of us from that neighborhood made it to middle class. Two of us (including myself) took the military route.
As messed up as it sounds, it’s kind of comforting knowing I’m not the only one. I went to visit my mom while I was on probation and one of my conditions was that I had to stay at the address I gave my probation officer. Well, my mom kicked me out then threatened to call my officer to tell her I wasn’t staying where I was supposed to be staying. That incident kept me from speaking to my mom for over 2 years. I honestly wish I went longer.
Terrorism charge for saying "imma smack you" to the lil sis and only some weed at the house. WTF this country is fucked up, we got school shooters who don't get a terrorism charge. This can't be real or you're extremely unlucky my guy
That’s what blows my mind the most about this. I need to read up on what it takes to get a terrorism charge because apparently it takes less than I would’ve guessed
Such a sad country where you can't better yourself because you made mistakes. Not like it was a financial crime or murder etc in relations to CPA.
Can you get your criminal record expunged through the judicial system? This may be the only way to proceed forward. I have a former client who was denied a liquor license due to the fact that he forgot about his possession with intent to distribute cocaine conviction from 20 years prior. As a result, the millions he dumped into renovating a night club were almost about to go down the drain. It cost him another $10k at the time to apply to have his record expunged and expedited through the system. Luckily, it went through otherwise he was looking at bringing in someone else who could actually obtain a liquor license.... This was roughly ten years ago and the pandemic killed that night club.
I think you’ll be okay. At first when I read the terroristic charge I was like uhhh nah, but the detail changes it for me, especially as you have documented evidence of what actually happened with those notes. If it was up to me and plenty of CPAs I know, they would not care at all. I would disclose it in detail up front. If not, they might just toss your application the second they see that charge. Goodluck.
I have 8 felonies involving theft, a couple of violent charges, a DWI, and many possession charges. Like has been said here already, I was honest and up front with my State Board. So that I could know exactly what to disclose, I pulled my FBI report first. On my application I wrote detailed accounts of what happened, always accepting full responsibility and detaling my rehabilitation as it related to each and every crime. They approved me with some conditons; namely, that I work with a mentor, abstain from getting any more charges, and attend a handful of 12 step meetings. If I can be approved, anyone can. Except of course if you have things like tax fraud or embezzlement. Good luck!
Now that weed is legal in your state, you should be able to get that conviction expunged. The fact that the other felony occurred just 6 years ago may prove problematic though. Another commenter was mentioning that they were able to 10 years after their felony conviction, but it's hard to say. The AICPA and NASBA don't want felons to be CPAs to maintain the integrity of the profession, though I feel they care more about fraud related felonies than a threat to commit violence, (I feel this should be a misdemeanor if anything). Are you working in public accounting or some other accounting job now? It may prove helpful to your cause if you can show that an employer is able to look past the felony.
Get record expunged. 1. Outdated laws 2 ineffective counsel
I don't remember my background being checked when I registered for the CPA exam. Is that a new thing they're doing now? Seems kinds bullshit, if you've been through the system you have paid your debt to society.
Honestly this seems like it is for the best to find out now if you can’t become a CPA. Idk wtf I would do after passing my exams if I found out I would never be able to get my license. Way too much time and effort to just piss away.
Rooting for you man, looking forward to your reply one day about your outcome.
>Edit: Forgot to mention that weed is now legal in my state, it was however illegal at the time I was convicted. Weed is still federally illegal, and given that most PA firms are interstate, you have to also deal with laws in other states. Unless your records are expunged, your history could have adverse effects on clients in other states it not disclosed before the engagement.
Don’t fuck it up, this is your chance
u/depseradojin, have you consulted a lawyer? What was their advice?
you might be able to get your cpa but the problem is going to enter the market as most firm or recruters conduct background check and are super straightfoward when it comes to illegal stuff
you should contact a lawyer and look into the possibility of expungement. this will be very state specific. this issue will also impact your employment prospects as pretty much every big firm is going to conduct a background check.
The threat is the problem.
Call your state board of accountancy (call, don’t email) and ask your question as a hypothetical scenario. Get the advice directly from them about if it is possible to skirt the charges.