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Expert: Consuelo Herrera, International Accountant and Fraud Examiner - 4/7/2008


Question
I read another question / answer on this subject but am still slightly confused.  Is the CPA certification the same around the world?  Specifically, would CPA certification received in the Philippines be recognized in the US?

Thank you for your time and attention.

Answer
Dear Greg,

No, the CPA certification is not the same around the world. For example, if you are a CPA in the Phillippines, you need to meet the requirements of the State Board of Accountancy in order to obtain the approval for sitting for the CPA test. To earn the license as a CPA in the United States among others, you must pass the four parts of the CPA Exam:

Regulation
Business Environment Concepts
Auditing
Financial and Reporting.

Many CPAs from other countries never have earned the CPA designation because it meant to go back to school to obtain the credits required for being accepted as a CPA Candidate and receive the NTS, Notice To Schedule, that allows a candidate to take the CPA Exam.

For example, I am a CPA in my country; I went back to school and now I am a CPA Candidate but until I pass the four parts and meet the additional requirements, I cannot use the CPA designation in the USA.

The AICPA has excellent material that will give you all the insights you need concerning the CPA designation and the requirement to achieve that certification.

www.aicpa.org

Hope it helps


Kind regards,

Consuelo Herrera CAMS, CFE

Auditing

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Consuelo Herrera, International Accountant and Fraud Examiner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning internal and operational auditing, fraud prevention procedures, internal control, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, COSO control concepts, and management oriented auditing. I would love to provide business-owners with suggestions on how to prevent and detect fraud so that they are proactive in protecting their wealth since the very beginning of their entrepreneurial affairs. I can answer questions to both English and Spanish population. I am very committed to keep my standards up today so I know many resources where I can direct those seeking advice.

Experience

I have rendered services for private companies, profit and non for profit, in two countries. As independent consultant I have provided advice to managers in implementing procedures that streamline their operations and enhance their activities. As a staff accountant in a US CPA firm, I performed regular auditing procedures for different engagements.

Organizations
AICPA (American Association of Certified Public Accountants), ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners), ACFEI (American College of Forensic Examiners.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Sciences in Business Administration – Accounting University of South Florida USF – Tampa Florida Catholic University – Colombia Title earned: Specialist in Tax and Customs Central Foundation University – Colombia Title earned: Certified Public Accountant. On August, 2006 I passed all four sections of the Certified Fraud Exam which tests for proficiency in the following areas: Criminology and Ethics, Financial Transactions, Legal Elements of Fraud, and Fraud Investigation.

Awards and Honors
As employee of Forensic Technology Inc. a Canadian company with locations and sites worldwide, I was the winner of the 2005 President's award in the category of Cost Savings through Efficiency or Innovation granted in January 2006 in Montreal, Canada.

Past/Present Clients
I have provided advice to all kind of companies: manufacturing, service, consulting, non for profit organizations, etc.

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