I get to tell my story. See below. Hope it is as interesting as some of the others.
I graduated with a BS in Accountacy in May 2000, which was the first semester cutoff for the 150 hour rule (in our state). After interviewing with a few accounting firms in the state, I settled in at one of the largest firms in our area in September of 2000, after spending the ENTIRE summer getting my 150 credit hours.
I sat for the exam in May 2001, when the exam was not computerized, and not even one month after getting married to my wonderful husband, Brian. I think that the exam was litterally one week after our honeymoon. Complete fail on all parts. Later that year, I took another job at a Non-Proft hospital, and sat for the exam again. Bomb. I think my scores were around 50 and 60 for all.
In 2006, I had a daughter. Still, in the back of my mind, I knew that I needed to complete the exam. I HAD to do it.
In 2008, I decided to take the Becker review course. So, with a daughter that wasn't even 2, I completed the live classroom course, and the homework. The day before my final class in May, I found out I was pregnant again. Five days later, I miscarried the baby. Needless to say, I was devastated. I quit studying. All the while, I kept telling myself I need to study. Then, in June, my very good friend found out that he had a severe brain tumor that would need to be removed, and he was going to be in a neighboring state. So, we spent a lot of time that summer in NC at Duke with him. Still, not studying.
In July of 2008, I found out that I was pregnant again. I would have another daughter in April of 2009. I'm not sure how many women have tried to study while pregnant, but, it doesn't happen. LOL. So, I wasted my Becker experience by not sitting for any of the exams.
In January of this year (2010), I decided that I needed to achieve the CPA. So, I joined Becker another time. This time, I did the online course, where I had deadlines for each assignment, and I would be responsible. On April 16, 2 weeks after my 1st year old's birthday, and 2 days after my 4 year old's birthday, I sat for Regulation. I spent the next month biting my nails, but, continuing on to finish Becker.
I passed Reg with a 85. Next was BEC, sitting for it after July 4th weekend. I passed with a 79. Next, I sat for Auditing on August 3rd. Audit was so difficult to me, that I started crying as soon as I sat in the chair. LOL. So, I started praying too. After studying all year, it seems, I sat for FAR on August 30th. I left that test telling everyone that I would see them again. WOW. It was definitely the BEAST!!! I called my mom, as I did after each test, and she was too sick to talk to me.
That night, August 30th, really Aug 31st, my mom died. Just 3 hours after getting out of my 9:30 pm test. She died. She had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease in June, and after trying all sorts of treatment, they decided to use a really strong chemotheraphy medication. She had been really sick the past couple of days, and we all thought it was her body getting used to the medication. So, each time I had spoken to her, she was really quick to get off the phone, both because she was tired, and because I was studying. That night, she had an Upper GI bleed, and then went into cardiac arrest, and died.
On Wednesday, September 1, I got my score for Wave 1 Audit. I passed with an 82. One of my higher scores. I immediately grabbed the phone to call my momma.
Through this month, with all the changes of living without your momma, I still didn't know about the exam I took on that night.
On Tuesday, I found out that I passed. I had fantisized for this moment for years. It was a special accomplishment, but, it was still bitter sweet. I am continuing to work through all the emotions tied to losing a parent, especially my mother, and I am sure that it will take time. I just know that she is looking down on me, and is beaming with pride.
Thanks for reading my post.
Jennifer Marrs
REG - 85
BEC - 79
AUD - 82
FAR - 87
