Is CPA worth it in late 40's? - Page 3

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  • #178593
    Nelsonx5
    Member

    I am in the process of getting an MA in Accounting, but will be 49 by the time I finish it. I am debating taking the CPA exam at the end. Given that I will be almost 50 by the time I finish taking the exams (assuming I pass all on the first try!), is it worth it at that point? I had a career in my 20’s, then became a stay at home mom for 12 years, then went back to school for accounting. I have been working part time as an accounting assistant for 5 years, but other than that, no real experience.

Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 127 total)
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  • #660195
    evesocal
    Member

    Spent a year preparing for the exams then another year taking them, one per window, and passed at the age of 57.

    It was the hardest thing I ever did. I work more than full time. Wish I'd done it many years ago but VERY glad I finally did, for the prestige at my firm – and maybe a bigger raise next time, but that's by no means certain – and my own satisfaction. And I think it looks better when my clients see “CPA” in my emails.

    And last but not least, I feel like I set a good example for my children -both in their 30's.

    So what if you'll be 50 when you're done? You'll be 50 anyway. Go for it. 🙂

    B: 75
    R: 80
    A: 77
    F: 81
    Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
    Licensed in California

    #660196
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Absolutely! I stayed home with my kids and then went back to school to get my MSA when my youngest hit full day kindergarten. I'm now 47 and working as an auditor (job I love!) – job I would never have gotten if I was not on the CPA track. I also graduated with a friend who just got her license (early 50's) and she's now working as an auditor for a university. evesocal is right. You'll be 50 anyways – just 50 with a CPA. Go for it!!

    #660197
    evesocal
    Member

    @Kricket – my mom says the exact same thing as your grandmother did when anyone says “Oh, I can't do this or that because of my age…”

    @BaxterCPA: >>I'm not on the “fresh grads get all the good jobs” bandwagon<< I *totally* agree with you. At my firm we specifically do not hire entry level people, at least not in the tax department. We just don't have the time or resources to train.

    And that guy you dated at 29 – hey, if he peaked by then that is his problem, not yours, obviously, as you had the good sense to dump him lol.

    @Nelsonx5 – I felt totally overwhelmed by the material. I took the Becker online classes straight through without taking any exams, as I went to college in the 70s and 80s so it had been quite a while, to say the least! I just wanted to see what the subjects were like and if it was even possible for me to study while working full time. To be frank I HATED the lifestyle of studying and working. But I had made a commitment to my firm and they paid for the first round of courses.

    After finishing the self-study courses, I started taking the live Becker classes (this time paying for them on my own), one by one. I never had time to complete the homework during the time the class was on, so after each one ended I studied on my own for a few weeks and then took exams. With each test – except maybe REG, since I work in tax – I was positive I failed. But I passed. I sure didn't pass by much but I passed.

    I have to say the best feeling I've had from getting the license was at my daughter's 34th birthday when she bragged to her friends and colleagues about me. 🙂

    It's a huge amount of material but definitely doable. Don't let anyone tell you you're too old.

    B: 75
    R: 80
    A: 77
    F: 81
    Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
    Licensed in California

    #660198
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    As a matter of fact, CPA probably is the best route of the people in the middle age.

    Imagine yourself guesting at Family Feud Show by Steve Harvey at age 50 or even older.

    If asked, what do you do for a living Madam? You'd be sure tickled to brag, “I'm a CPA!”

    He would NEVER respond, “Oh you're old to be a CPA!”

    Rather with big rounded bold eyes, I bet Steve would say, “WOW, A CPA”!

    #660199
    sidneybristow
    Participant

    After reading this thread, I am so encouraged to continue studying. I was feeling very old and discouraged and wondering if it was worth it to get my CPA license. I'm 46, graduated just last year, but have no accounting experience. I've been raising kids and have been a stay-at-home mom for many years. I went back to school to get a degree hoping that I could get a good job so that I in turn could send my kids to college. I thought passing the exams would hopefully set me apart and help me get a a good job. Everyone's comments have been very encouraging. It's exactly what I needed to hear.

    Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

    "If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

    #660200
    ginar
    Member

    You should absolutely do it – and do it for yourself! I'm 54 years old and waiting on scores for my 3rd section (FAR). Although my

    bachelors was in business-finance, and I have an MBA, I never worked in the accounting field. My career had been in private industry in financial planning, and then I was a stay at home Mom for 10 years. I returned to work 9 years ago, part-time, in a CPA firm, and have been there ever since. When our youngest left for college, I was really left with a “now what?” empty feeling. I needed something to challenge myself and take the focus off the empty nest. I had to go back to school to get additional units in accounting before I could start sitting for the exam this year. I always thought I would be the oldest person to sit for these tests, but reading this forum gave me the encouragement that I was not alone! You can do this and you should! Whatever age you finish the journey, it will be worth it.

    AUD: 91 (2/26/13)
    BEC: 79 (5/7/13)
    FAR: 88 (8/31/13)
    REG: 84 (11/26/13)

    Becker, Ninja Notes and Ninja Audio

    #660201
    vjr7653
    Member

    I am 46 and just graduated with my undergrad degree in accounting. Prior to this I had a trading career from which I had been displaced due to automation. I was just hired full time by a Big 4 after a summer internship stint, which will start in Jan 2014. In the meantime, I am working toward passing the CPA exam. DON'T LET ANYONE, especially someone like “crossovercpa”, tell you it cannot be done or it is not worth the effort. I am living proof that it is never to late to change your life for the better.

    REG - 77 (8/27/13)
    FAR - 83 (12/2/13)
    AUD - 87 (5/13/14)
    BEC -

    #660202
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Hey 40 and over gang,

    I am so charged every time I read this post. I failed far miserably, but this post gives me the courage to try again. I am determined that if I do absolutely nothing with a CPA, I am getting it anyway.

    Rock on 40's…….

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #660203
    sidneybristow
    Participant

    @ginar, Thank you for your post: “Whatever age you finish the journey, it will be worth it.” You totally gave me the encouragement I need to keep going.

    Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

    "If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

    #660204
    Kristyn
    Member

    Congrats to all the 40-and above out there! I am 42, almost done with my Masters, and am currently sitting for the exam. I raised 3 kids (15, 8, 7) while doing undergrad and grad over the past 5 years. Been a stay-at-home mom for a long time. @Nelsonx5, take the exam. Be crazy like the rest of us. 😉 But it is a commitment. I didn't pass two sections, am up for a rematch on REG and FAR, and have pretty much been at this insanity since February. It takes your soul. You have to REALLY want it. But it is something no one can ever take away from you.

    Good luck!!!!

    REG (4/13/2013)= 73. REMATCH!!!
    BEC (reschedule)
    FAR (7/20/2013)= 66. WTH.
    AUD (8/30/2013)

    #660205
    Texas CPA
    Participant

    If you want a job as a controller, you will need a CPA. A lot of positions I have seen have it in their minimum requirements.

    I am 50 and finishing mine hopefully in October.

    Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
    Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
    BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
    FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

    https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

    Texas CPA

    #660206

    I knew someone who became a CPA when he was about 50. He was my IFRS teacher when I was getting my MSA

    REG - 80 (2/28/13)
    AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
    BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
    FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

    #660207
    Mayo
    Participant

    SMH. When people say things like “Just follow your heart”, “It's never too late”, etc. it just makes me want to yell out “It's a Trap!”.

    I'm sure OP has probably already made his/her decision, but for the record, decisions like additional education should always be considered in the entire context of the situation.

    There ARE times when it's not worth it to get a degree. There ARE times when your passion/heart is in something, but there are more prudent and practical courses of action.

    I'm not here to poo on anyone's parade, but I'm shocked at the amount of “Just do what you want” responses this and other similar posts usually get.

    If we're truly trying to help someone make an informed decision that could affect their life for the foreseeable future, I think we should set aside our idealism (i.e. it's never too late) and give feedback that could be useful to the OP.

    Sorry, but just needed to get on my soapbox for bit. I've seen too many rash decisions to blindly encourage someone to get a degree. Now educating oneself, totally different story.

    /rant

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #660208
    mla1169
    Participant

    Mayo, the OP isn't asking about going back to school. OP is already in school. Your soapbox this time is misplaced.

    And I'm not sure if you're at a similar phase of life (late 40's, raised a family) but sometimes its OK for a person at that stage of life to skip “prudent and practical” and do what makes them feel good. Not saying piss away your 401(k) on a boat, but a couple grand for a CPA review course with no return except “I DID IT!” is ok after taking care of a family for a couple of decades.

    And seriously, if someone is going to make a life altering decision based strictly on posts on an anonymous message board without considering the other things you mention, they probably aren't going to be convinced otherwise by one post like yours.

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

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #660209
    sidneybristow
    Participant

    I found 64 year old Diana Nyad's words encouraging. After swimming the 110 miles expanse from Cuba to Florida her first words when she set foot on land were, “Never, ever give up. You're never too old to follow your dreams.” We can apply this to our dream of getting a CPA too.

    Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

    "If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 127 total)
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