Month: March 2017

Recent Changes in the California CPA Exam Educational Requirements

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

As of January 01, 2017, the California Board of Accountancy implemented additional educational requirements to sit for the California CPA exam.  The California Board of Accountancy now requires:

1) A baccaleaureate degreefrom an accredited college or university (any subject),
2) 150 semester hours of total college/university study,
3) 24 semester units of accounting study,
4) 24 semester units of business-related subjects study,
5) 20 semester units of accounting study,
6) 10 semester units of ethics study, to include one 3 unit semester (or 4 unit quarter) course in accounting ethics or accountant's professional responsibility.

The above-listed educational requirements are in addition to verified work experience where the CPA exam applicant must have documented work experience under a licensed CPA.  See the California CPA Applicant Licensing Handbook for more information about the experience requirement.

California CPA Licensure Tip Sheet

California Board of Accountancy Educational Requirements

California CPA Applicant Licensing Handbook

Uniform CPA Exam

 

My Career Technical Education Teaching Credential

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

Today (Saturday, March 25, 2017) was my last day of classroom studies for my Career Technical Education teaching credential.  Neither CSU Sacramento, nor the Sacramento County Office of Education offer this credential program any longer.  As such, I enrolled in the Ventura County Office of Education Career Technical Education teaching credential program.  They offered a Santa Cruz cohort class that I was able to enroll in; thereby decreasing my commute from Ventura to Santa Cruz. This was my third and final trip to the Santa Cruz training facility.

PRELIMINARY CTE CREDENTIAL

While my Adult Education teaching credential covers the same subject matter as my Career Technical Education teaching credential, I feel that the additional training and insights I have received will help make me a better educator and that in turn should result in a better educational experience for my students.  My credential should be clear by this summer!

IRS Loses Court Case to Regulate a Disbarred Attorney in Preparing Tax Returns and Offering Written Advice

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility lost a court case against disbarred attorney, James Sexton, Jr. that tried to regulate Sexton’s preparation of tax returns and offering services of written advice.  The court issed a declatory judgment, rejecting the IRS Office of Professional Repsonsibility motion for summary judgment. Furthermore, the court issued a permanent injunction against the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility from pursing further enforcement against Sexton in this matter.  Sexton successfully argued that the Loving case applied to his situation because, as a disbarred attorney, the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility did not have jurisdiction over him.  He was not representing clients before the IRS because, as the Loving case determined some years earlier, preparing tax returns does not constitute practice before the IRS and the IRS cannot regulate those who do not practice before the IRS.

College Credit for Working

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

Did you know that you can receive college credit for working at your job?

Solano College and many other colleges offer work experience programs that will give students college credit for their work experience.  Keep in mind that there will be coursework to complete in addition to working at your job.  I have spoken with Professor Debra Berrett who is the Solano College Work Experience Coordinator, and she will be giving a presentation to one of my classes at the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School.  The date has yet to be determined, but I would like to invite all interested Fairfield-Suisun Adult School students to attend.

More information on the Solano College Work Experience program can be found at:
http://www.sccworkexperience.com/

April 15th filing deadline for 2016 tax returns has been moved back to April 18, 2017.

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

FEDERAL TAX DEADLINE FOR FILING 2016 INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURNS HAS BEEN MOVED TO
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017

April 15, 2017 falls on a Saturday which would normally push the IRS federal tax filing due date to Monday, April 17, 2017; however, because Monday, April 17, 2017 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, the IRS federal tax filing deadline has been moved to Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.irs.gov/uac/2017-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-23-for-nations-taxpayers-with-tax-returns-due-april-18

The Importance of Credentials in the Business and Accounting World

Posted on | by Steve M. Windham, LLM, MBA, EA

In today’s increasingly complex and interconnected world, education and credentials are becoming more important and relevant for business and accounting professionals.  While many credentials require both verified experience and education, some only require one or the other.  Take some time to explore different credential options that are within your reach.  Remember that while you may have knowledge of a particular subject, credentials often set you apart from the competition.

In addition to business and accounting courses here at the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School, we also offer a tax preparation course for the California Tax Education Council registration.  We are also in the process of offering Microsoft Office certification training.  Please see our catalog for more information on these courses.

Please see the following Accounting Today article on education and credentials:
http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=390635#{“issue_id”:390635,”page”:0}