[Anonymous]

Hey everyone!

I’ve had a question on my mind for the last two months and don’t personally know anyone who can relate enough to offer proper advice, so I’m presenting it here.

I worked at a small accounting and tax firm last year for four months. My time there came to an end when I began to question the accounting being performed, among other things. In short, it was a company with 3 people on staff, no GAAP based clients and a serious lack of accounting knowledge (negative assets and liabilities were the first thing that jumped out). I was offered the job by the owner, who was familiar with my education, and was misled on the type of work performed by his firm. In the end, my questioning led to my release. It was most definitely for the best.

This was at the end of December 2013. I graduated with my Bachelors in Accounting the same month and have been studying for FAR since. I sit for that section in less than two days. Now, on to my question.

I’ve been wondering if I should start looking for a position elsewhere, likely at a larger firm, or focus my time on passing all four sections of the exam first. I initially planned to pass all four sections and then job hunt, but studying all day is driving me insane. Now I’m considering passing FAR and REG then looking to take a position somewhere and work while finishing the last two sections. Have any of you been here before? Any advice? The only reason I have for wanting to pass all four sections first is so that I am more marketable. I’m young, have no commitments and want nothing more than to get these exams behind me. …but I LOVE to work, and it’s driving me nuts just sitting here reviewing all day.

Any advice is appreciated.

[teeteenounouche]

if you don't need the money right now, get an internship or part time job and STUDY so you can finish by the end of the year or sooner, that's exactly what I would do if I could do it all over again…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

if you don't need the money right now, get an internship or part time job and STUDY so you can finish by the end of the year or sooner, that's exactly what I would do if I could do it all over again…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[longnguyen87]

Bummie,

You posed the question that I kind of wondering myself few months back. I don't know if I can give the best advice for you, but I would certainly be able to tell you this.

It's a bit bored sitting around studying for the exam all day. Eventually, you would want to do something different because your mind can't work effectively after long hour of studying. I knew this because in the last few months, I was in the exact situation.

You may want to apply for some accounting job to have something to do beside your study. The advantage is that it gives you the experience needed while studying for the exam. The only disadvantage is that you do not have much time to study any more. Therefore, you need to set your target date to get the CPA. Do you plan to get the CPA within this year? How much do you know about the material? How long do you think it will take you to cover all the topics for the last 3 sections?

You said you try to get FAR and REG done, then apply for work while studying for the remaining. That's a good strategy too. I would properly choose to work if the opportunity comes up since taking the exam is on your hand.

Consider any offer you receive and decide what you really want. It seems like you want to complete the CPA early, so you need to know the required time and plan your target date. It's much easier when you have the timeline and a goal in mind.

Good luck with your study. 😀

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[longnguyen87]

Bummie,

You posed the question that I kind of wondering myself few months back. I don't know if I can give the best advice for you, but I would certainly be able to tell you this.

It's a bit bored sitting around studying for the exam all day. Eventually, you would want to do something different because your mind can't work effectively after long hour of studying. I knew this because in the last few months, I was in the exact situation.

You may want to apply for some accounting job to have something to do beside your study. The advantage is that it gives you the experience needed while studying for the exam. The only disadvantage is that you do not have much time to study any more. Therefore, you need to set your target date to get the CPA. Do you plan to get the CPA within this year? How much do you know about the material? How long do you think it will take you to cover all the topics for the last 3 sections?

You said you try to get FAR and REG done, then apply for work while studying for the remaining. That's a good strategy too. I would properly choose to work if the opportunity comes up since taking the exam is on your hand.

Consider any offer you receive and decide what you really want. It seems like you want to complete the CPA early, so you need to know the required time and plan your target date. It's much easier when you have the timeline and a goal in mind.

Good luck with your study. 😀

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[Anonymous]

Thanks you two. Both are things I've considered and will consider more. I definitely hit a point every day where I just can't handle any more information.

[Anonymous]

Thanks you two. Both are things I've considered and will consider more. I definitely hit a point every day where I just can't handle any more information.

[mla1169]

Just remember looking for a job doesn't immediately translate to getting a job. So I'd be looking now. Chances are good it would be a few months before you are starting a new job. You can be a bit more selective if you don't NEED to be working right now, but you want to see what is out there at least while youre studying.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Just remember looking for a job doesn't immediately translate to getting a job. So I'd be looking now. Chances are good it would be a few months before you are starting a new job. You can be a bit more selective if you don't NEED to be working right now, but you want to see what is out there at least while youre studying.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Tux]

If you choose to work, I recommend only part time.

It will be really hard to have the time and energy and concentration level to get through your studies after working a full time job.

I understand that you have limit to what you can absorb each day. You can try some flexible commitments, like exercising, or volunteering, which will work around your studies vs. a job where you have to work your studies around the job.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Tux]

If you choose to work, I recommend only part time.

It will be really hard to have the time and energy and concentration level to get through your studies after working a full time job.

I understand that you have limit to what you can absorb each day. You can try some flexible commitments, like exercising, or volunteering, which will work around your studies vs. a job where you have to work your studies around the job.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[acamp]

Get.

a.

job.

I'm with MLA, applying/looking doesn't necessarily equate to working right away. Further, the larger the firm, the more structured their hiring and on-boarding tends to be; the firm I work at hires a full year in advance. Most people will apply Spring 2014, Interview Fall 2014, start Fall 2015! Occasionally this timeline is shrunk, some later applicants who start the process closer to Fall, some position openings in January'2015 (woohoo busy season start!), etc.

Given the option of 1. CPA Exam in Progress + FT Job and 2. CPA Completed and No Job, I would take the former every time! Its not fun to study while working, but that would make me less crazy than having everything done and still trying to find work!

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Get.

a.

job.

I'm with MLA, applying/looking doesn't necessarily equate to working right away. Further, the larger the firm, the more structured their hiring and on-boarding tends to be; the firm I work at hires a full year in advance. Most people will apply Spring 2014, Interview Fall 2014, start Fall 2015! Occasionally this timeline is shrunk, some later applicants who start the process closer to Fall, some position openings in January'2015 (woohoo busy season start!), etc.

Given the option of 1. CPA Exam in Progress + FT Job and 2. CPA Completed and No Job, I would take the former every time! Its not fun to study while working, but that would make me less crazy than having everything done and still trying to find work!

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

Replies