[CPAblarg]

I got into the accounting/Big4/CPA world not because I had genuine interest in it, but because I wanted a stable job and a decent paycheck. I know I’m not the only one, so don’t tell me that everyone “should pursue their passions” and not consider things like money and stability.

How do you get through for example studying for the CPA when you absolutely cannot stand the things you are learning? It’s becoming really difficult for me as the months go by. I am hoping this is just a difficult time in my life and it doesn’t mean I made a mistake choosing this path.

Anyone had similar feelings? I feel like I’m going crazy.

[gennatay]

My end goal was to be able to provide for my family and help others. I can better provide for my family by becoming a CPA. Also, I went into audit because I like to learn new things. With auditing, you have to learn something about the business and/or industry your auditing. One way I can do that is to become a CPA. I plan to give free financial classes in my neighborhood and teach when I retire.

[mommyof3texans]

There are many facets to accounting that you can ultimately end up that are likely more interesting than public accounting. You could think of the CPA and your current work as building a foundation/springboard to jump into the corporate world and see what interests you the most.

Having an accounting/finance background is very useful in several areas of the business and by no means are you limited. Right now, I'm an internal auditor which is a great way to learn the business. I am hoping to move into a more operational focused area eventually myself.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[Skynet]

When you have plans for World Domination, you need to have an understand of all the logistics and needed financing and investing activities that comes along with it along with good budgeting otherwise you'll run in to cash flow problems. So having a CPA and a background in accounting will surely help.

Plus making sure that Mega Fox happy will surely not come cheap!

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

@CPAblarg I feel exactly the way you do! I know I have what it takes to do more than grunt work. But the powers that be have decided b/c they have CPAs anyone that comes behind them will have a CPA. I honestly feel this test is a form of professional hazing but that's a story for another day. I say that bc I had a VP at a major F500 ask me “how can I know you're serious about your career if you don't have a CPA?”

When I'm feeling down about the exam, I remind myself that this exam is the “new minimum” education standard. The proliferation of online degrees has watered down the accounting candidate pool severely. At my last job the accountant they hired always called credits “negative numbers…” So since all degrees are not created the same, the “really smart CPAs” decided that they would be the gatekeepers to the upper echelon of the profession.

[Anonymous]

CPA study materials are very dry and is not a midnight page turner for anyone. Struggling to get through the next chapter or page of REG does not mean that acctg is not for you. It means that you are not a freak of nature.

[ImANervousWreck]

CPAblarg – I feel like I am choosing the wrong path as the day goes by. I work for a private company and handle the fixed assets account. I feel that I don't know enough about them that it's driving myself crazy when I go and reconcile each month. I don't know if it's because I don't know the right questions to ask if someone happen to put something in the capital account. I asked one of my co-worker how they got into accounting and they said it was because their parents asked what will provide for you in the future. I think I just like the simple part of accounting to make sure everything balances but as far as understanding things…it's bringing me down. It's like…do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?

REG - 05/14/2015 - "W"?
AUD - 05/27/2015
BEC - 07/16/2015
FAR - 08/29/2015

[EuroAddict]

I always joke with my wife that I can't wait to get my CPA so I can stop doing accounting.

My wife and I are moving from NY to TX this summer. While I don't have my CPA yet (half way done), it will open up so many more doors than if I don't have it. Like people above have said, it is almost the minimum now.

You major in accounting but get a 4 year degree. No public company will hire you b/c you are not able to sit for the CPA.

You have your masters and work for public firm. There will be no promotion above senior (maybe even associate, depending on the firm) without your CPA.

While I don't see myself doing this for life, the CPA shows a potential employer that you can accomplish what you sit down to do. It's not 100% about having the license, it's that you are able to focus, learn, and finish.

-----------------------------
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]

I'm not necessarily passionate about accounting, but it is way better than my previous career. I was a factory worker during the economic downturn, and got laid off a couple times. I decided to go into accounting for better job security. Now, I am passionate about working hard to maintain job security, and I feel the CPA is one way of getting that security.

[Crunchtime]

I really enjoy accounting, I have a passion about business in general if you can't understand financials then you don't know business. You can tie to something you really enjoy because the CPA/accounting his helpful in almost every aspect of your life. In any job you have if you can tie your skills to finances of the company you will get promotions much more rapidly.For example my sister in law brilliant chemist but couldn't get promoted, I told her in her next meeting with her boss about what she is doing connect to the company finances good or bad and it will show you look at all aspects of the company and you care for the company. 1 month later she was promoted and doubled her pay!!

AUD-77
BEC-70,73,68,74 SH##!!!!!, 80
REG-73,76
FAR -74,82

Ethics here I come!!

[Missy]

When people say they can't stand the CPA prep material I ask one question.. Do you LOVE doing housework? No, nobody does. So why do we do it? Because its not optional. Treat the CPA material the same way, its a means to an end, and not optional.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[golfball7773]

You could argue that housework is optional if you watched Hoarders…….

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 86
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 71, 73

BEC - 74, 86

REG - 77*

FAR - 57

*expired

(I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[johnny_debt]

@ImANervousWreck,

To really understand what you're accounting for, you must understand the business. That is one advantage in working for a private company vs a public company, you can see more how the business is run. In my opinion a lot of accountants don't understand the work in the warehouses, factories, production, supply chain, marketing, customer development, finances, and capital structure. Having knowledge of these things makes you more valuable than those that don't understand the other functions.

Companies are more integrated than ever now and you should not only consider yourself an accountant but also as a business person.

You should ask your bosses if you can go out and learn, leave your comfort zone and see the other functions, understand them and speak the business talk. It will make you more valuable.

AUD - 91
BEC - 84
FAR - 91
REG - 91

[Meeekks]

In my opinion, easiest way to get through this exam even if you hate it is to brainwash yourself to liking it. Don't think negative thoughts and always associate it with positive ones. Don't complain about it because that will just reinforce your negative ideas about the exam. When people ask things like how was your studying, how's the material, etc. just lie to yourself and say it's good. Eventually you'll believe it.

[Anonymous]

I am absolutely not passionate about accounting. Are there people who are passionate about accounting? 😀 They must be weird people.

[Anonymous]

i love accounting and yes, apparently I am somewhat quirky

[Author]

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