Has studying for the CPA exams ever ruined anyone's life?

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Has studying for the CPA exams ever ruined anyone's life?

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Started 7 months ago by letsfixthis
Latest reply from makinthemagic

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letsfixthis

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Just a random musing the day before I take AUD. No personal anecdotes to convey but I was curious if anyone has ever felt like this entire process did enough damage to his or her personal (or professional) life so much that he or she can say it "ruined their life"? I bet it has happened before....

BEC: 87 (7/13/11)
FAR: 86 (8/31/11)
AUD: 99 (10/6/11)
REG: 88 (11/30/11)
Ethics: 100
(Illinois)

Used Becker for all four parts. Supplemented it with Wiley Test Bank for FAR and REG (HIGHLY recommended) and NINJA notes.
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Posted 7 months ago #
mla1169

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If this exam actually "ruined" anybody's life, they probably didn't have a life to begin with. It isn't about what challenges we face, its about HOW we face them. I would think someones life was well on the way to ruin and the exam was a convenient scapegoat.

Just my .02

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

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

Posted 7 months ago #
CPAMan

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It's ruining mine now. Studying for this exam is already getting on my very last nerves!!!

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

DONE!!!!

Posted 7 months ago #
kandisjoy

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Sometimes I felt like the exam was ruining my life... but then I'd remember to count my blessings. I lot of really good things happened to me during the 2 year period of time that I was studying. I met my fiance, got engaged, bought a house, found a good job, developed a better relationship with my little sister and mother... overall, a lot of good stuff. Sometimes the CPA exam can feel very overwhelming and threaten to make us forget about the good things.

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

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 7 months ago #
kaaCPA

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i think it "ruins" your life for a short amount of time while you are studying for it -- but once its over, you never have to deal with it again. totally worth it, in my opinion. i'm not quite done yet, but i hope i finish in 2011. only time (& nasba) will tell.

AUD | 85
REG | 77
FAR | 76
BEC | 83
========
ETH | 93
State Board Application pending!

Posted 7 months ago #
letsfixthis

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@kaaCPA, how about we just combine our scores and be done with this?

BEC: 87 (7/13/11)
FAR: 86 (8/31/11)
AUD: 99 (10/6/11)
REG: 88 (11/30/11)
Ethics: 100
(Illinois)

Used Becker for all four parts. Supplemented it with Wiley Test Bank for FAR and REG (HIGHLY recommended) and NINJA notes.

Posted 7 months ago #
kaaCPA

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@letsfixthis - im on board, lets do it! :)

AUD | 85
REG | 77
FAR | 76
BEC | 83
========
ETH | 93
State Board Application pending!

Posted 7 months ago #
misanthrope87

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It's ruining my life atm. All I do is work, study, and do chores...

B 87
A 90
R 86
F

Posted 7 months ago #
Jeff - another71.com

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It has caused marital troubles in 3-4 marriages that I know of at least.

2 couples got divorced.

Become a NINJA:
NINJA Notes
NINJA Audio
Wiley Test Bank

Posted 7 months ago #
misanthrope87

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@ jeff That's terrible news... =(

B 87
A 90
R 86
F

Posted 7 months ago #
Herbieherb

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Has passing and getting licensed led to break ups/divorce? I wouldn't want to be with my pre-cpa girlfriend after I got licensed LOL...

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 7 months ago #
letsfixthis

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Studying for FAR this past summer was a strong contributing factor to the demise of my most recent relationship. I wouldn't say it ruined my life, but the breakup nearly torpedoed my performance on the exam and also made me question if this entire process was really worth it. I feel like most people don't understand what it takes to pass these things.

BEC: 87 (7/13/11)
FAR: 86 (8/31/11)
AUD: 99 (10/6/11)
REG: 88 (11/30/11)
Ethics: 100
(Illinois)

Used Becker for all four parts. Supplemented it with Wiley Test Bank for FAR and REG (HIGHLY recommended) and NINJA notes.

Posted 7 months ago #
kybridecpa2011

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It felt like it at the time but honestly it was a good thing. It helped my fiance (now husband) and I communicate better and understand more clearly our goals in life. And it showed me that he wants the best for me and he'll always be my biggest cheerleader.

Posted 7 months ago #
yankeeaccountant

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I wouldn't say ruined, but I definitely feel it has put an unbelievable amount of strain on my marriage. I don't want to join the ranks that Jeff mentioned, (I have been married 22 years), but I am hoping to finish up in 2011 and look forward to happier times!

Posted 7 months ago #
mla1169

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I will say one thing, if you have a condition that is exacerbated by fatigue and stress, this is where you find out how bad it can get. But I still wouldn't say "ruined" anything (except for a few blouses that fell victim to a higer than normal coffee spill rate LOL)

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

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

Posted 7 months ago #
jomarie

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It has really tested me as a person and my relationship with my husband. I've really have turned into a *****. Maybe it's cause by the lack of sleep, thou.

Since 2008....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!)
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011)
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73 - Rematch scheduled on May 29, 2012
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70 (Are you kidding me?????) - July 17th, 2012 -> Rematch!!

I WILL BECOME A CPA IN 2012!!!

Posted 7 months ago #
jomarie

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I do know this....a girlfriend of mine and her husband divorce while he was studying for the exam.

Since 2008....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!)
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011)
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73 - Rematch scheduled on May 29, 2012
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70 (Are you kidding me?????) - July 17th, 2012 -> Rematch!!

I WILL BECOME A CPA IN 2012!!!

Posted 7 months ago #
Macc Grad

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Anyone's divorce/separation was only hastened by the inevitable.

I don't think this exam does anything other than not delay what wasn't already on the horizon (was that a triple negative? F you AUD, figure that one out, lol)

I for one am glad about it, cuz it has helped me a whole bunch in communicating with my wife, and somehow I think I'll come out married and happily ever for after. And all that crap...

The exam is merely a a catalyst for problems that were already there.

BEC - 77 (exp. 2/23/12)
REG - 75
AUD - 74
FAR - 11/29/11

Posted 7 months ago #
jomarie

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I do agree with that Macc Grad. Since I've been studying my husband has been more supportive and stuff. Like tonight, I was telling him I wasn't feeling well cause I'm overtired and he was yelling at me for doing to the dishes after dinner. He was trying to tell me to go lay down and try to relax.

Since 2008....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!)
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011)
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73 - Rematch scheduled on May 29, 2012
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70 (Are you kidding me?????) - July 17th, 2012 -> Rematch!!

I WILL BECOME A CPA IN 2012!!!

Posted 7 months ago #
SwanCPA

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Helloooo... it's 9:00 on a Saturday night and look at how many of us are "studying" and/or looking for motivation and support on Another71. I wouldn't say our lives are ruined but they have definitely been put on hold. :-)

Now, who has another 2 hours in them!

FAR- 63, 75
AUD- 61, 78
REG- 63, 74, 80
BEC - 63, 61, 75!!!!! I'm done!!!!

Posted 7 months ago #
tbstew

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I think the CPA exam can definitely have a negative effect on family life, but only if couples fail to communicate and support each other. In those cases there's usually an underlying problem that would eventually surface over something else. I will say that the exam pretty much kills your social life, for a while, anyway. But to actually ruin a life? Nah. Poor choices, poor attitudes, and things like addictions ruin lives.

That's my 2 cents. Feel free to discount it at the current market rate.

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
REG - 87
FAR - 7/19/12

Posted 7 months ago #
killaking

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Thought the exam was ruining my life being an A** to my mom, this girl im seeing and lost a job from a bad boss that didnt care. But after passing 2 parts I got a new job at a firm and went from 35k to 53k.

FAR: 7/17/10 missed exam FML reschedule 8/29/10-77 EPIC!
REG: 5/31/11-73 SMH, 8/31/11-85
BEC: 4/15/10-72 : retake 10/3/10-80
AUD: 11/28/10-74, 02/27/11-71 FML, 8/1/11-80
Ethics 10/22/22-80, retake 11/28/11 - 88

Posted 7 months ago #
gateway3601

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My GF of six years left me after only passing REG section of the exam in 15 months of studying. After taking one week to recover my emotion and gather myself together, I have never being so motivated to study now. I just want to prove to her that it was a big mistake to leave me. So, just to answer the question, did the exam "ruin" my life? I would say to some degree, but I would never regret my decision to studying for the CPA exam.

FAR(61,73,73,74,76) REG-81 AUD(61,64,58) BEC(71,77)

Posted 7 months ago #
posty

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I am lucky in that my wife is every bit as busy as I am. I am studying hard for the CPA Exam (20+ hrs a week), working 40+ hrs a week, and taking an easy elective college class in order to wrap up my 2nd degree. My wife is pursuing a Masters in Geology so she is writing a thesis. She also works 40+ hrs a week for a natural gas company.

We are both busy all the time. We keep each other motivated to accomplishing our respective goals. Our lives will be so much sweeter when we are both finished!

FAR - 78
AUD - 83
REG - 70 (retake in July)
BEC - 5/31/12

Posted 7 months ago #
CPA Genie

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Studying for CPA definitely gives me a different perspective in life. A friend of mine stop talking to me because I am pursuing a career path as a CPA. I feel constantly discouraged by her comments. I am kind of out of my normal social circle after I took the exams. However, this experience help me to filter out who my true friends are. I still have many good friends still show me their supports. I appreciate my life and free time more than before.

AUD - Feb 25, 2012 => Really!! I got 82!! I still can't believe it. I am done!
BEC - Passed
REG - Passed
FAR - Passed
Ethics - Passed with 90% with 2 attempts

I feel like a genie in a bottle, and I can't wait to finish CPA exam so I can get out of the bottle!

Posted 6 months ago #
T-rex

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The exam didn't ruin my life, but it was brutal. I took my last section on 8/29, and I still haven't recovered. I can see how the exam could rip apart a relationship or marriage. I imagine that it would be very hard for someone who hasn't gone through this process to really understand the huge price that must be paid for the privilege of having a CPA license.

All in all, I'm glad I pushed through and completed the exam. I just wouldn't ever want to do it again.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

Posted 6 months ago #
See Pee A

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Couldn't agree more. This process is definitely very difficult. It's a huge time commitment, and the pressure before and after each part can be crippling. What makes it even tougher is if you are moving directly onto another section, or for candidates who are studying while working or having a family. It sure requires everyone to be on board and to take some sacrifices in the short term in order to increase the chances that the process will be as short as possible. Best of luck to everyone!

BEC 86 (08/30/11)
FAR 84 (10/13/11)
REG 88 (11/08/11)
AUD 86 (11/29/11)

Exam prep - Becker self-study

Posted 6 months ago #
Yvonne570

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It's really challenging that my employer will not reimburse my costs until I pass the first 2 exams. LOL. Very hard to take a debt and accumulate interest along with studying.

AUD - Passed:)
FAR - Passed:)
REG - Retake TBD
BEC - Missed by 3 points Retake TBD

Posted 6 months ago #
goodluck2everyone

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what life? The cpa exam IS your life

BEC- 80
REG- 68, 71 (wtf...)
AUD- 61 , 84
FAR- -- May 30

Posted 6 months ago #
cpaexamtutoring

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At least you have these sites for support. Back in the early 90's when i was studying, I went out drinking...:)

Darius
CPAexamTutoring

Posted 6 months ago #
calisteph6

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I think it can cause *a lot* of stress on relationships especially with someone like me who lashes out when they are stressed. I think it's important to put yourself and your loved ones before the exam to a point. Of course missing a bday here and there or a family outing is fine, but if you totally ignore your family and your own well being and health that is a bad sign and you WILL get burned out.

You need to take *me* time and spend time with your love ones to refresh your mind and body. It will help your studies as well because if you stick your nose to the book too much you may get burnt out and frustrated with studying, especially if you are having trouble passing.

Posted 6 months ago #
hopeful_cpa

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i filed for divorce last march just after i found out i passed reg...and the emotional effects of the divorce made me take bec numerous times to pass it finally and by that time i was so emotionally drained and exhausted i took 4 months off studying just to get myself back up and complete again. once that was done i knocked out bec, lost credit on reg which i just retook and now i'm hunting down AUD, or its beating me down... lol

but the cpa exam process is absolutely ridiculous... it really tests all of us to see what we're made of and how persistent and motivated we are.

i know that i dont back down from challenges, whether academically or in life, and i dont plan on backing down to this challenge either.

i will eventually become a cpa, this exam wont beat me.

getting a divorce just made me realize how much more i need to value myself and my future than anything else.

BEC: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
FAR: May 10

Almost there....

Posted 6 months ago #
yankeeaccountant

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@hopeful_cpa

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like the last year has been extremely difficult. Your determination comes through clear, I don't doubt you will cross that finish line. :)

My path (hopefully) won't lead me down the same road, but it has been extremely difficult. If you had asked me this summer, I would have said that I wouldn't doubt it if we got a divorce, it was awful. Everything isn't rosy now, but it is workable.

But you are so right, this exam process is ridiculous, much harder than I ever imagined.

Now, let's go kick some Audit @ss!!!

Posted 6 months ago #
Marivy22

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Funny, I have been looking at the posts on this thread, and I have something to add....

It has not ruined my life; my husband and co-workers are very supportive. I don't have family and friends around (they live in PR and I am in FL), so not a big issue with friends....
Since I am waiting for my FAR score and I am not taking any other exam until next year, I am taking 3 weeks off NO STUDYING YEAH!!!! We were doing the "holiday's" cleaning during the weekend and OMG, this exam has ruined my house's maintenance. We cleaned all the closets, doors, windows, and it was certainly a mess. I just told my husband "well, you know that we are not doing this again until I am done with the exams?"

My life is just disorganize.......By the way, not been at the library during the weekend feels sooooo good. ;)

AUD – 8/15/11 79!!!!
FAR – 11/7/11 74 1/16/12 81!!!! Thanks GOD!!!!
BEC – 2/19/12 80!!!
REG - 4/29/12 70 :(

Posted 6 months ago #
Allyson

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Like T-Rex, I took my last part in August and waited on pins and needles in September for a score. It literally took me all of October to decompress. I was drained and exhausted.

Now that I look back on the last 2 years, I don't see how I made it. I tried to balance my work-study-kids-husband life as best as I could. There were times when I'd snap and have this out of body experience, looking down at myself asking, "Who ARE you??? What have you become?"

And almost every time I was alone in the car, I'd cry. I didn't get much time to myself but when I did, I'd have little mini-breakdowns, only to regroup and drudge ahead.

It may seem like your life is ruined now (and it temporarily is), but when you pass, you cherish life like never before. Your old self will return better than ever.

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

Posted 6 months ago #
Megan

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I feel a lot that it has ruined my life, but it really hasn't. I've learned a lot about myself during these (almost) 2 years and it's really been a trying but growing experience for me and my marriage. Like Allyson, I cry all the time, (I cried about 4 times in the hour before my test on Thursday), but I really think it's made me cherish all the time I have now while waiting for my score.

It would really get me down when I'd think about how much time I'm giving up with my kids, and especially if I would think about something happening to them while I was studying and "too busy," but I just tried to get that out of my head and make an example of myself to them on how to get through challenging times.

I (probably foolishly) feel like I passed this time, so I feel like such a weight has been lifted off of me. I feel like I can enjoy my husband and enjoy my kids without thinking that in a few weeks I'll be back at it. And that feeling is fantastic! Now, I just have to wait for that score and hope that my feeling is right!

BEC 52, 61, 74, 77
AUD 80
REG 75
FAR 50, 60, 70, 74, 83...DONE!!
..Texas.. Baby #2 born 4/11/11

Posted 6 months ago #
keeptrying

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Thank God I'm not the only crier!! I cried my eyes out yesterday before BEC....I had a mini panic attack and I had to give myself a reality check. There is so much I can say about this but I think I am going to save it for a blog post...since I'm behind on that....

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 6 months ago #
jomarie

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I've been having more and more meltdowns lately. I don't like the person I've become and can't wait till I'm down with this chapter in my life. I can so relate to Allyson. My meltdowns are complete crying breakdown and sometimes snapping for the littlest reasons.

Since 2008....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!)
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011)
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73 - Rematch scheduled on May 29, 2012
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70 (Are you kidding me?????) - July 17th, 2012 -> Rematch!!

I WILL BECOME A CPA IN 2012!!!

Posted 6 months ago #
goodluck2everyone

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where are all your signatures ladies? :)

Edit: lol nevermind, I guess the signatures are glitching out

BEC- 80
REG- 68, 71 (wtf...)
AUD- 61 , 84
FAR- -- May 30

Posted 6 months ago #
hopeful_cpa

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to be honest, i dont know if its because i'm a male or not, but i dont cry before my exams or even feel nervous... what i do feel is anger and disappointment in myself after i come out and realize i got stuff wrong that i should have gotten correct... which could be the diff between 74 and 75.

i know i'm not crazy, but i have actually started to see a therapist just to talk to weekly... its really nice because she isnt my friend, she isnt my family, she isnt anybody that has a biased towards me... i have actually learned a lot about myself and how to deal with certain things and how i react to certain situations that i feel have made me stronger and a better person.

BEC: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
FAR: May 10

Almost there....

Posted 6 months ago #
makinthemagic

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i didn't have a marriage or other dating relationship to ruin but i do have some friends that won't take/return my calls now.

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

Posted 6 months ago #

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