[Anonymous]

I’m currently almost a year into my first job out of college. I can’t say that accounting is my passion, but at the same time I still don’t really know what I have a passion for. I chose an accounting career because it seemed stable.. A good versatile degree. Also the idea of possibly going into federal law enforcement intrigued me. Anyway, I could go on forever but the main point of this topic is that I’m qualified to take the CPA exam. I had always planned to take it out of college and make baby steps toward that idea of federal law enforcement. Also after working for a while I realize that I don’t necessarily need the license to be successful, but surely it will help. I guess my thoughts are jumped right now because it’s decision time. I just don’t want to look back and regret it because I left the accounting field. I’m still in my 20’s and I find myself on a career path still not knowing what I truly want to do with my life. It’s a 4-5k monetary and 6-12 months investment, should I just do it…?

[Anonymous]

Personally, I think that some people don't have any career that they're passionate about. I'm one of those. I could do a million things and be content doing them, but I'm not passionate about any one thing. I chose to do accounting, and I've done pretty well in it, but not because it's my passion or because it's the only career I could ever see myself in – simply because I chose to do it and to follow it through. I had to simply realize that I wasn't going to be passionate about anything, so I need to let commitment take the place of passion. I'm still young too (25), so not too far away from where you are in life.

My advice to you, if there's nothing you're passionate about career-wise, would be to simply pick something, stick with it, and go for the gold with it. Sounds like accounting is what you've picked, so stick with it and quit second-guessing it. If you're going to be an accountant, be a great accountant. A CPA isn't necessary to be an accountant, but it's a great help, so get it now while you're young and it's easier (most of the candidates on here who are taking it past their 20's say they wish they'd done it when they were in their 20's).

As for the commitment… It doesn't have to be $4-5k, that's just if you buy Becker. Get a cheaper set of study materials. 6-12 months, yeah, it is that. Weigh the value of spending the time on this vs. what else you'd be spending that time on, and what the long-term value of both is.

If the only thing holding you back is that you're not passionate about accounting, then resolve to accept commitment in place of passion. But if there's more to it, then have a deep heart-to-heart with yourself about the other issues. Passing the CPA exams takes a lot of commitment and dedication, so you'll need to clear up any other issues that are holding you back before you start them. However, if accounting is your career trajectory for now, then be the best accountant you can be (which will be easier with the CPA license 🙂 ).

[Jdn9201]

I agree with Lilla. I think you have to keep the focus on what is best for YOU and block out what other people may be telling you. I'm about to turn 33 and will hopefully have my last exam done by either end of this month, or by June. I think most people who are older wishes they would have done it sooner, but I don't. I changed my major 3 times in college, so by the time I finished my Accounting degree, I was burned out and needed a break after going to school for almost 6 years full time, even though former classmates and coworkers were telling me I needed to go straight through and do it. I took a 3 year break to figure out if I really liked accounting (I'm in tax) before going to get my Master's. Once I figured out I really like tax, that's when I decided to get my Master's, and then took a 2 year break before starting my CPA journey. I decided to get my CPA because I still really like tax, and it helps me no matter where I want to go – whether I stay in corporate, transition to public, or work for myself. I think the first step for you is to figure out if you want to stay in accounting. If not, a CPA is a waste of your time and money. If yes, then figure out how becoming a CPA would enhance your career. What's your end game or ultimate goal? For me, my dream is to work for myself and I know that doesn't happen if I don't get my CPA. Figuring out the why is what is going to help keep you motivated when you've spent countless hours studying and sacrificing time away from your family, friends, and other things you'd rather spend it on. I think one of the reasons why some people struggle with these exams is because if they really sat down and thought about it, they don't want it badly enough and they really don't want to be in accounting to begin with.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Anonymous]

1. CPAs get hired before non CPAs.
2. Do it now before you have a family.
3. Do it now so you don't regret it later.

[SGShiver]

During your 20s you second guess, day dream about other careers, pick things, change your mind, and then hopefully stick with something. The grass is always greener when you are looking at it from the other side of the fence. I am in my 20s, I did exactly what you are talking about 3 times during college. However, during each of those choices I did not have a passion for any topic, but I flat out hated each and every thing I studied. I told myself I could not live with those decisions for the rest of my life.

I believe the thought of sticking with something until retirement is scary for most people. I stayed with every college major choice up until senior year to get a feel for what life would be like (yes a lot of time/money wasted). But I kept telling myself it would get better. However, I knew deep down those majors (stable medical career choices) were not for me.

Accounting was different enough for me to make it to graduation, work hard to get a internship/job during tax season, and begin to study for the CPA exam. I did not hate accounting while studying it unlike the other choices, but instead want to do my very best. The first thing you need to ask yourself is what motivates you about thinking of other career fields?
It is not that I think you will wake up every morning feeling like your about to head out on vacation, but I believe somewhere deep down you will be happy enough about your choice that it will get you through the tough days. It is easy to think about doing something else. In reality you need to ask yourself if there is something you would miss/regret if you left accounting. The days I left my other major choices I felt a burden roll off my shoulders. However, the thought of leaving accounting would be too much for me to bear.

FAR- 53, next time 5/5/16
B: 7/30/16
A:TBD
R:TBD

[SGShiver]

jdn9201- wow I did not realize that our post had a similar theme. I am glad I am not the only one who changed majors three times.

FAR- 53, next time 5/5/16
B: 7/30/16
A:TBD
R:TBD

[EuroAddict]

I can't wait to get my CPA so I can stop doing accounting.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everybody who posted. I read everyone's post and decided I am going to do it. Better to not regret it later and get it over with while my job is easy and I'm young. Also like what was said above.. It's not like I have anything else I want to do that is realistic, so I might as well go for gold.

Thanks.

[Author]

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