[lab2008]

Ok, this post is going to be a bit of a rant, complaining…

But the other day my “well-meaning” friend suggested I quit CPA after hearing how I had gotten sick after working long hours, trying to study, etc.

This just ENRAGES me. I think it wouldn’t bother me so much if it was the first time I had negative feedback about this pursuit.

General comments, similar experiences?

The best comeback from one of my friends was if they don’t support me doing CPA, they are haters and don’t pay my bills.

Also, a becker teacher for god’s sake, said it didn’t make sense for me to do it because I am already in industry.

A VP at my company said that experience and performance is more important that CPA.

I could probably go on…but I have enough problems finding the motivation to spend hours on end studying while i’m learning a new stressful job at year end, and I don’t understand why anyone would say anything negative after i’m already HALFWAY through the process.

Oh another one, my old boss always makes fun of people getting their CPA. LIke I said, I could go on.

3 out of 4 passed and sitting for FAR on May 31. Will lose credit for Audit if I don't pass FAR by Aug 4. I love leases and bonds.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Easier said than done, but once you tune everyone out and just do what you want to do and believe you are doing the right thing, then life gets a lot easier.

This coming from someone in their 30s. Getting older helps with just learning to ignore the noise.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[johnny_debt]

Listen to Lion_of_the_Rock. Instead of quitting maybe you should get rid of the negative influences in your life.

Haters are gonna hate.

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

[mla1169]

I've said it before and I'll say it again for good measure, if a person becomes a CPA expecting the encouragement and approval of their peers and coworkers they're going to be sorely disappointed. Very few people care especially in industry. That's not to say anybody should quit but to expect thar the only feedback that truly matters is score release.

Regarding your friend, if any friend of mine told me the combination of working and the exam was negatively affecting their health even I would suggest dropping the exam-health is always most important. I found that when I complained it was all “too much” to manage most well meaning friends suggested I put the exam off. The easy fix to that was to stop complaining how much I had going on at once and if I got sick not to blame my busy schedule. Problem solved.

And your VP is correct that experience matters more in industry. So why would someone in industry bother? Because when being considered for a job against others with similar experience having a CPA sets you apart and may be the difference between rejection and an offer. It's nearly impossible to get a senior or management position in industry with no relevant experience even as a licensed CPA.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I have gotten a very positive response at my industry job about becoming a CPA. I'm in the internal audit department and having more CPAs (there are currently 3) can mean real benefits to the department. We perform a lot of direct assist work for our Big 4 external auditor and the more qualified the department is, the more work they can hand off to us to complete. The benefit to that is that it lowers our annual audit fees. The point of this is that there are people in industry who will value you for completing your CPA, you just need to find them!

[go2134]

Don't grant those who doubt you the satisfaction of being right.

[hneagle1]

Sounds like haters! Haters are going to hate. Don't quit. Industry values the CPA as well and it does set you apart.

FAR - 82 (8/30/14)
AUD - 95 (10/7/14)
REG - 82 (11/7/14)
BEC - 85 (11/26/14) - PEACE OUT!
Roger CPA, WTB, Becker, and Ninja Notes (with added prayer, tears, and hope!)

[Anonymous]

“My old boss makes fun of people getting their CPA” — Is this a joke? What is there to make fun of?

[Anonymous]

The CPA exam is an emotional roller coaster and to be honest you learn a lot about yourself, arguably more during this process than I have through experiences with friends.

I'd just add them to spam numbers LOL. I have previous experience in this department. The CPA is a PERSONAL achievement and its pretty hard for others to comprehend this.

[taxgeek83]

Set aside the CPA Exam aspect of it – you have a goal. If you have anyone in your life that doesn't support you in that, even if they don't understand it – you need new people in your life.

Just my 2 cents.

[M.O.D.]

I've seen this before. A friend had to quit her job when she passed the exam due to the hate, envy, weirdness, etc.

It is unfortunate, since we are the same people before and after, just with some hard studying behind us. But it is often not our decision who will like us or not.

Some people see elitism. It is true for many successful professionals: business owners, lawyers, CPAs, and also graduates of elite colleges. It is a fact of life.

That is why there are CPA organizations, etc.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

The CPA exams are tough and they do take a toll on you. But as everyone here has said there are people that are going to say negative things about it and most of the time they do that because they were able to get it themselves. Sure Industry you may not need CPA but my experience has been having the CPA has made me more valued esp when going for interviews.

I recently got a new job and most of the people I work with now are CPA's themselves. It just will open more doors for you. Ignore these people and don't talk about taking the exams. Keep your head down, study, pass and get the job done. Life is wonderful once you are done 🙂

[Tncincy]

The old boss is jealous….bet he couldn't pass. I guess that's why he's an old boss.

Hey, it's been said all ready, but focus on what is important to you. Passing and establishing a career should be important. Be proud of what has been accomplished already……take a break if you're getting sick. But do not give up it's to hard to start over again.

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

[Mamabear]

I don't understand some of those people's comments towards you. I am in industry and they asked me to get my CPA to be eligible for promotion to Controller. If you work for a publicly traded company, there is only so high you can go without it.Our Controller, Director of Financial Planning, CEO, and CFO all have CPAs and it is important if you want to move up. Just ignore them, get your CPA, and watch doors open for you in other companies. I have had a lot of support while going through this process. I think you have just worked for either bad companies or really small ones that don't want to pay for a licensed CPA. Good luck and don't give up!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[lab2008]

Thank you everyone. I have read the comments and may post more response when I have a chance but your comments are awesome. I guess some people just don't understand and you need to look in the right places for support, or just go on your own. I just would never reccommend anyone quit any kind of degree/certification halfway. I know how much getting my Bachelor's and probably my Masters was worth to me. Thanks 🙂

3 out of 4 passed and sitting for FAR on May 31. Will lose credit for Audit if I don't pass FAR by Aug 4. I love leases and bonds.

[Texan_Stuck_In_OK]

Jumping in late, but I agree with the others. Don't give up on the CPA because of others. I have always worked in industry and a CPA was never important for my job before. Sure, I've always wanted it but didn't have any support. So I just kept working until I got my current position (still in industry-county hospital). However, here it was “strongly encouraged” that I get my CPA. The rationale was that it gives much more credibility to you and it is still respected in industry. So here I am, finally finished as a “non-traditional” CPA candidate…just barely into my 40s. But already, I've seen the difference in how people approach me. It is definitely worth it, and they can't take that away from you…unless of course you do something that falls into the acts-discreditable area, but none of us would ever do that 🙂

A 88, B 76, F 84, R 76 Passed 2014

Licensed in OK

[Author]

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