Did your life change after you became a CPA?

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Did your life change after you became a CPA?

20 posts from 16 voices

Started 5 months ago by julia_z
Latest reply from makinthemagic

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julia_z

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Hi guys.

I have a few questions to those of us who already passed all sections: 1. how did passing the last section feel? 2. Since you passed the CPA do you receive more benefits/pay at work and more importantly, do you feel more confident or/and competent in the workplace? 3. do people (boss/colleagues/peers) treat you with more respect at work now that you are a CPA?

Overall, how did your worklife improve because you passed the CPA exam? I know that the designation will probably bring more LT benefits than ST but i am just wondering.

BEC - 78
AUD - 78
FAR - 86
REG - 02/29/2012
NY Candidate
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Posted 5 months ago #
mla1169

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I only just passed #4 and haven't even gotten the congratulations letter yet. At work, nobody "gets" it. My company doesn't have a single CPA on staff and I think to them it is about the same as passing a first aid test grrrr.....

But at Thanksgiving dinner I felt like a celebrity walking the red carpet with my very large family. None of them are CPA's (in fact most of them never went to college) but I had explained the exam and what it means to them in the past. I had a swollen head from everybody including the children telling me how proud they were of me and happy they were that I stuck with it.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

If I can do this, YOU can do this! Hang in there :)

Posted 5 months ago #
75

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mla1169, it sounds like you're with the wrong company...

I know two people, who think that passing these exams is like passing a real estate exam or a driving license test, but none of them has more than a high school diploma.

Everyone else, accountant or not, knows the significance of the achievement. So, congratulations!!!!!

Finally a CPA :)

Posted 5 months ago #
rknight21

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lol @ mla1169 regarding feeling like a celebrity. That's how it should be. I actually have gotten lot of love from ppl so far.

Posted 5 months ago #
HumanPiranha

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i've got 3 parts passed, and i'm imagining that passing the last testst will feel something between ripping a guys head off while playing mortal kombat and watching russel crowe in gladiator

Posted 5 months ago #
CPAMan

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What makes the CPA license such a magnificent achievement is that it's not something everybody can do. It takes hard work and a lot of determination. Anybody can go to college and get a degree, but not everyone can become a CPA.

FAR: 52, 66, 73, 61, 89
AUD: 47, 87
BEC: 80
REG: 64, 74, 84

DONE!!!!

Posted 5 months ago #
Herbieherb

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It actually felt better than sex/graduating college/passing road test/ first kiss/last day of school/Christmas -all combined!!! This exam has been a monkey on my back since I graduated college over 10 years ago. It's been a dream of mine that I actually accomplished. My life has changed for the better. I feel way more confident, cocky, and assertive. I started a new job 2 months after I received my license, and I turned down a promotion at my old job...all CPA license related. I now have a proactive , can do attitude.

It's great!! I had so many free dinners and felt like a celebrity...I come from a family of over achievers...doctors, pharmacists, and dentists are my sisters...now I joined the club of licensed professionals and my parents said now they can die in peace...Hah

AUD 8/1/10 - 78 , REG 11/7/10 - 88
BEC 11/30/10 - 81, FAR 2/28/11 - 79
CPA 06/01/11 NEW YORK- DONE

Posted 5 months ago #
kandisjoy

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Not a whole lot has changed for me... Except for that I feel much less stressed out and have more time to do what I want. I've lost 13.4 pounds now. Obviously stress was killing me!

I was told by my boss when I was testing that the CPA exam would be well worth my time and open up doors and all that.. but then after I passed, it turned into a tiny raise that he apologized for because apparently the SVPs here don't understand the significance of what a CPA is. I was pretty disappointed... but seeing as the officers here haven't gotten raises in a couple years, and everyone else only gets 2%... I don't feel that insulted. Just disappointed. I really don't feel like changing careers right now, and there are literally no other jobs in this city and I just bought a house, so I'm hoping that another year or two here will get me a promotion and the raise that I deserve. Otherwise I'll probably have to move once the market gets better and I can sell my house.. if that ever happens!

My boss does send me a lot more of his theory/GAAP questions now, and other random people in the bank will come up and ask me questions sometimes too.

As for how it felt to pass my last exam.. it's hard to even describe. I think it was the happiest moment in my life so far. I imagine that having my first kid will probably trump it though, when that happens. And when I get married. But so far, it's the best. :) I couldn't stop crying and exclaiming "I can't believe that I passed!"

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 5 months ago #
julia_z

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@mla1169: sorry to hear that nobody gets it at work. I guess i know how it feels like because nobody really cared in my office even though it was a CPA firm.

@kandisjoy: I gained 15 pounds because of this exam. I have REG left and I think i will gain another 5 lbs :O. That makes it 5 lb per section. hehe. Congrats on your raise! at least your boss recognized your achievement in some way no matter how small your raise was.

@Herbieherb: :) sounds great. Congratulations!

@CPAman: I second that!

@HumanPiranha: same with me. I have REG left. I cannot wait to be finally done!

BEC - 78
AUD - 78
FAR - 86
REG - 02/29/2012
NY Candidate

Posted 5 months ago #
makinthemagic

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I have more time but I still don't have a job and employers somehow seem less interested in me than before. I don't get it.

Bec 4/11/11 91
Aud 7/11/11 75
Reg 8/31/11 80
Far 5/24/11 86
Ethics - 98

Posted 5 months ago #
75

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Finally a CPA :)

Posted 5 months ago #
theman2

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I'm still waiting for the state board to give me a license but I was able to get a new, better job offer. Being about to say that I had passed all sections of the CPA exam, met the qualifications to be licensed, and was waiting to hear back from the state board opened that door. It also got my current employer to give me an office. Unfortunately, while the job offer is better in all other regards, I'm sorry to say I'll be going back to working in a cube for the next few years. Oh well...

Posted 5 months ago #
cpareally

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I was going to start a new topic about this same question. I have had my CPA license for a year now, and honestly nothing has changed since I got my CPA. I got no raise, I wasn't given more responsibility in my jobs, my hours were cut during non-busy season, and now when busy season almost starts, I will only be working 40 hours a week. I used to be working 60 hours or more during busy season which I didn't complain at all. So, what do you think guys? What's wrong here?

Posted 5 months ago #
chakdey

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Its posts like these that scare me. I hope its all worth it, a person like me has no accounting experience, will a CPA really help me get a job. A lot does have to do with the current economy, but how long is this going to last?

@makinthemagic So what do you do these days? Do you apply for jobs outside your home area?

FAR - Passed (Second Attempt)
AUD -
BEC -
REG -

Posted 5 months ago #
julia_z

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@makinthemagic - sorry to hear that. Maybe the timing is wrong. It does not make any sense that they will be less interested. Then, why are we trying so hard to pass these exams? :( Good luck with the job hunt.

@theman2 - congratulations! Good to hear that at least some of us are getting promoted or being offered better positions.

BEC - 78
AUD - 78
FAR - 86
REG - 02/29/2012
NY Candidate

Posted 5 months ago #
soonerorlater

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@Julia_z

Answers in reverse order:

(I work in the oil industry)

I feel my coworkers always respected me, although having the CPA gives me more credibility.

I do feel extremely more confident in the workplace, which is one of the reasons why I chose to get my CPA. The confidence helps me believe in my ability and skills in the workplace. I honestly didn't expect or receive immediate financial benefits, but i'm sure long term it will help. The other reason was "an insurance policy." Like when I run marathons or MMA...not everyone can do it and standing out from the rest is a good thing if something happens in my current job.

Finally the excitement of passing...I jumped up and down (knees to chest) screaming "I passed!" Its been two months and i'm still in shock. I to felt like a celebrity to my wife, kids, and parents...that's pretty huge in my book.

FAR - 66, 77
AUD - 63, 76
BEC - 70, 83
REG - 72, 79

Posted 5 months ago #
rshaf

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I feel the exact same way as soonerorlater.

I was never expecting a raise or promotion; I just wanted to feel more confident and competent at my workplace. My co-workers were really supportive and really happy for me once I passed. Some of them had their CPA and others did not. Everyone who had their CPA has said that they are so glad that they do not have to go through this process again.

As soonerorlater said, it is almost like insurance for your career. I feel as a CPA, you are much more likely to be qualified for other positions and opportunities versus those who do not. I haven't reaped any tangible financial benefits in the short term, but I feel as though I will in the longer term.

My quality of life has infinitely improved. I am much less stressed and I feel like I am now a better father and husband again, since I don’t need to ignore them so much while studying.

My wife, kids and parents were really proud of me, as they knew how hard I worked and how difficult the exam is.

Good luck and do not give up! It is so worth it, once you cross the finish line! I swear... even food tastes better now!

BEC- 76 (08/10)- PASS
AUD- 85 (11/10)- PASS
REG- 71 (02/11), 81 (04/11)- PASS
FAR- 73 (05/11), 74 (08/11), 79 (11/11)- PASS

Posted 5 months ago #
Allyson

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My worklife hasn't changed except when my clients ask me, "Are you still taking the CPA exam?", I don't have to hang my head in shame and mumble "Yeah..."

Now when they ask me I grin like the cat that ate the canary and say, "I'm finally done!". It still seems surreal.

Before I even began the journey I didn't think I was smart enough to pass. There were times when I came extremely close to quitting but I'm so glad I didn't. It made me realize I am stronger than I ever imagined. It really boosted my confidence, which my children can see.

FAR - 69, 64, 67, 80
AUD - 82 ETHICS - 100
BEC - 72, 78
REG - 75 (lost credit, retake 89)

Posted 5 months ago #
duker8012

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@ julia

First...passing the final section was like having a massive weight lifted off of your shoulders. I saw my FAR score and was jumping around my house like a fool yelling "I'M GONNA BE A CPA!!" It ranked up there with the birth of my daughter and graduating college (first in my family to do that!) as one of the proudest days of my life.

Second...I definitely feel more confidence in my ability at work. Although it seems much less important to those around me, I still know what I accomplished and I'm damn proud of it. But I get the feeling as long as I'm there I'll just be "duker in Accounting." Money wise I haven't seen any changes, but figured that I wouldn't anyway...I always knew that once I got my CPA it would be time to move on.

Last...I'm not officially licensed yet (next month!) but after the usual congratulations and pats on the back things aren't really any different at work, and I don't know that having an actual license will change things either...like I said I'm just "duker in Accounting" to most people. But with a CPA the sky is the limit...it doesn't matter what others think, those three letters prove that you are an expert and that you are worthy of respect. Good luck on the rest of your exam, and to all the new members of the Alumni Lounge congratulations and welcome!! :-D

BEC = 86 (Aug 2010)
REG = 82 (Nov 2010)
AUD = 87 (May 2011)
FAR = 91 (Aug 2011)

Posted 5 months ago #
makinthemagic

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Nope. My life still sucks.

Bec 4/11/11 91
Aud 7/11/11 75
Reg 8/31/11 80
Far 5/24/11 86
Ethics - 98

Posted 5 months ago #

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Did your life change after you became a CPA?

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