[Tcohle]

I guess I’m taking a bit of a different path compared to others. I’m almost 25, worked as an accountant in a small construction company for 2 years right out of college. I soon found out I won’t go anywhere without getting a CPA license!

So I studied and studied and somehow got a 76 on my first test ever (FAR). I’m on to AUD and hopefully can get through that on the first try.

I only make $15/hr which is a problem. I can’t get the required experience here. I can’t even move out of my parents’ house! I want to move to Philadelphia and work in the city. But every accounting firm wants someone with 150 hrs education. I was planning on passing my tests then banging out the last 27 credits I need. I don’t think I need many accounting classes.

1) How do I convince firms that even though I don’t have all 150 I should still be considered as a candidate?

2) Is not having enough credits unusual for candidates? Like doing the tests first then getting credits and experience?

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[fairylite]

I see nothing wrong with getting your credits after you've taken the exams. Everyone I know who sat for the exam either supplemented with an MBA program, or additional classes after graduating, so it's not unusual to be missing the credits. I chose to get my credits out of the way first because it was easier. Once you pass the exams, you can make a note on your resume that you've passed all four sections, and are waiting for the experience to get licensed. That speaks more volume than someone who's eligible for the exam, but still haven't passed any of the sections yet.

Are you only looking at public firms? I currently work in private (but at a fairly large company), and there are at least 5 certified and active CPAs that can sign off on the experience portion. I know some people have their heart set on accounting firms, but I'd also suggest looking at private as well. Just make sure you check LinkedIn and look at the applicants on your state's licensing board, and you should be able to tell whether or not they're active.

BEC 11/12/2015
REG 1/1/2016
AUD 1/22/2016
FAR 2/28/2016

[Tcohle]

I'm not against private companies at all, but I want to have public experience on my resume for at least 2-3 years just to solidify it.

It sucks that most companies I've seen look for the 150 credits vs. the amount of exams completed.

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Missy]

Its not “bad”, and many people finish the credits after sitting for the exam. I'm not sure how flexible public companies will be with that requirement, they want someone who is license ready for the most part and for all of the input about the long hours in public worry that people won't make the time to go back to school.

My advice, stay at home and crank out the additional credits ASAP. I realize you are anxious to start your professional career but it will never be easier for you to go back to school than it is while the demands on your time are minimal. Start some classes in September, even while you are taking the exams. Its not FUN to work full time, take classes AND study for the exams but it is absolutely achievable.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Tcohle]

Thanks @mla, I don't think I could swing all of the exams, work, and school. Maybe once I'm on to BEC (My last planned test) I'll look for some credits.

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Missy]

If you wanted to, you could do it. I did it, with 2 kids!

My schedule was to study CPA stuff from 5a-6a, get the kids ready and off to school, work 7:30a-5p, come home do all the mommy stuff from 5-8:30 (dinner, homework, girl scouts, cheerleading.) Did my classwork for school online from about 8:30p-10:30p every night then back to CPA studying from 10:30-midnight.

Weekends were when I banged out a lot of studying, I worked .at Kohls as a cashier on the weekend and studied before and after my shifts.

But once you get into public, if you were to try to go back to school you'd have a lot less time available than you do now. I figure your current job + the exams are about the equivalent of the demands of public.

Besides if you start classes in Sept and plan on taking your last 2 exams in Oct/Nov you're talking 2-3 months of burning the candle at both ends.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[SaveBandit]

I would have done exactly that if I didn't live in one of those states that requires you to have 150 hours before you are allowed to sit for the exam. Stupid state laws…

AUD - 94
BEC - 86
FAR - 85
REG - 90

If you pray enough, you can turn yourself into a cat person.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[cpagal]

@mla16692 Thank you for your post. I have been feeling quite overwhelmed the last few days. I have 2 children, work full time 7-6 (with commute), have to come home do dinner, homework, dishes, baths for the kids, put to bed and then study for the exam. I don't have the school component though as all of my hours had to be complete before I can even sit for the exam in my state so I am finished with my hours. If you did it, I can too (right?). Thanks for the encouragement.

FAR - 08/30/15 - 90
AUD - 11/12/15 - 92
REG - 01/19/16 - 82
BEC - 02/29/16 - 83

Passed all on 1st attempt using GLEIM (full program) and NINJA (MCQ only)!!!

Louisiana Licensed CPA

[fairylite]

I agree with @mla – I was able to overload and take 5 classes per quarter while studying for FAR (and pass) while working 50 hours a week full time at my accounting job. I wasn't in public, but I was the only senior on staff and it was definitely stressful (but doable!). I picked all online classes, so my typical daily schedule would be study in the mornings before work, do homework during my lunch break at home, then study when I got home from work. I wasn't shooting for good grades; all I cared about was passing with somewhat minimal effort, and I still ended up with a 3.92 for those classes.

Look at your local accredited community college and sign up for online classes. Even if you knock out 1-2 classes per semester, you'd still be able to get some credits where it'd be less stressful for you down the road.

BEC 11/12/2015
REG 1/1/2016
AUD 1/22/2016
FAR 2/28/2016

[Author]

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