Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about Massachusetts Board of Accountancy

Massachusetts Board of Accountancy requirements in detail

The Board hands the education review to NASBA

The Board's FAQ answers education questions with one line: NASBA reviews applicant education requirements for the Board (Board of Public Accountancy FAQs).

Its certificate rule, 252 CMR 2.07, accepts official transcripts or an Academic Evaluation for Certification Report from the Board or its designee (252 CMR 2: requirements for certification).

For education outside the US, NASBA's Massachusetts pages name two evaluators, NIES and CED, both for the exam and for licensure (CPA Examination Services: Massachusetts, NASBA Licensing: Massachusetts).

NIES's translation rule decides who may translate if you use it: a verbatim English translation, typed, signed and dated by the translator, from an ATA member, your university or the ministry (NIES). CED publishes its own requirements; ask it before ordering if you choose CED.

Avoid an incomplete file

NASBA treats an evaluation that arrives without the copy of the international transcript as incomplete and does not move it forward (CPA Examination Services: Massachusetts).

The checklist says the evaluation may be submitted by you or the agency, while the same page says originals must come directly from the evaluation service; asking NIES to send it avoids the question.

Coursework from a Chartered Accountant or similar program counts as professional training and does not meet the education requirement (CPA Examination Services: Massachusetts), so translating those certificates does not help with eligibility.

Documents applicants usually translate

• University transcripts or mark sheets
• Degree certificates and diplomas
• Records of accounting and business courses, with syllabi if NIES asks
• Certificates from professional accounting bodies, which do not count toward the education requirement

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• Grades, hours and credits exactly as recorded, with the grading scale the document prints. We never convert marks to a US GPA or equivalency.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload or print.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
• Notarization added at checkout ($34.90 per order) when the office asks for a notarized translation.

Submitting the translation to Massachusetts Board of Accountancy

• The translation goes to NIES with your evaluation application; the evaluation then goes to NASBA with a copy of the international transcript (CPA Examination Services: Massachusetts).

• eVerbary can mail the translation to NIES in a sealed, signed envelope: choose the hard copy at checkout with NIES's address ($19.95 Priority or $37.95 Express in the US) and write in the order notes that it is for NIES and Massachusetts.

If you need a translator certified by ATA

Some offices accept only a translator who is personally certified by the American Translators Association (ATA). eVerbary assigns one on request, for the languages ATA certifies into English:

To order it, ask for a free quote and write in the notes that the translation is for Massachusetts Board of Accountancy, what it is for, and that you need a translator individually certified by ATA, plus anything else the office asks for (notarization, delivery by email to the office).

We confirm the price and the translator before you pay. ATA does not certify other languages into English, so no translator anywhere holds ATA certification for them.

For those languages we provide a notarized certified translation instead, at $44.95 per page plus notarization ($34.90 per order); ask the office to confirm it accepts that, and write its answer in the quote notes.

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and submit it with the copy of the original wherever the office asks for it.

Frequently asked questions