Can an accountant have a criminal record?

Answer 1

This is a response I received from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, the agency that licenses CPA's in Wisconsin. There is never a yes or no answer to the question you posed. When you apply for a license you have to disclose any misdemeanor or felony conviction on the application form. Your application would probably be brought before the Board for its consideration because of the conviction record. A number of factors would be reviewed by the board. They would start by looking at the conviction and the facts surrounding it. Other factors for consideration are: age when you were convicted, how long ago was the conviction, your record since that time, compliance with the terms of the sentence and how related the crime is to the accounting profession.

I am sorry there is no real answer until the application process has begun. I suggest you look at the factors I gave above and decide for youself what you think. Also remember that once you take the exam you don't have to take it again. Things can change in the future even if you are denied now.

Not exactly the response I was looking for, nor anyone else I would assume.

Answer 2

The Answer is it Depends. 1 in 7 people in the UK have a conviction minor or otherwise. Professional bodies such as ACCA do exclude members on the basis on having a conviction. Each member is considered individually. The same principle applies in jobs. You can of course apply for jobs with criminal convictions. Whether an employer is willing to take on will depend on many matters such as, what the conviction is, when convicted, circumstances leading to offence, time that has elapsed, your personal feeling to what has happened.

If you have a conviction you are not alone. BUT part of a small group. This can make things harder. BUT it's not the end of your career.