[Anonymous]

in studying for this exam, my hair started to look like an electrocuted version version of Einstein’s Afro. During the last week before I took FAR, i forgot to brush my teeth and fell asleep on the toilet, and found my self dreaming about financial statements chasing me with calculators… no just kidding about the falling asleep one, but my point is, this process is stressing me out, and its killing me socially gradually.

Should I even continue with this??? I mean, I work as an accountant right now for a public company. I haven’t and probably will NOT do auditing. And, I probably won’t get into Public accounting (big 4; but that’s just maybe, can’t predict the future…)

But I do intend to stay in the field of accounting or something related, like finance.

My co workers, most of them have inactive CPAs, and the accounting boss, who’s done like years and years of auditing at a big 4 (but DOES NOT have a CPA license) is making way over 100k… maybe like 150k or something..

and then there’s me, stressing my butt off for this exam… do I even need it?? i mean, look at everyone else, they’re making WAY more than me, and they don’t have their CPA, or its inactive. Should I even continue to pursue it? it’s literally killing me slowly, i’m missing meals, i forgot the combo to my lock at 24 hour fitness, and had to get it cut b/c the exam i took was so intense, i think my memory got wiped out for temporally.

can someone list the benefits in getting the CPA? well i mean of course its obvious.. CPA is MUCH MUCH MUCh better than non cpa..

[Anonymous]

A CPA is very useful even in small or mid sized public companies. I do understand that in some

industries a CPA is not as useful. One of my coworkers had his CPA, and was letting it

expire due to industry, to get it back, he had do 200 hours of CPE or retake the exam.

Every day he watches me with the exam makes him glad he choose the CPE.

For me, it means I can own my own business someday. There are many other benefits, but

that one is keeping me motivated when I get down or frustrated.

There are a lot of benefits to getting your CPA, but deciding on why you want this, maybe

harder in industry where there is not the same “pressure” to get it as there is in public.

It can be as simple as you have this as your goal, and you are going to achieve it.

It can kill your social life for a while, and yes weird dreams, but for me it will be worth it.

I also think that they will still be there when you pass.

[Marc]

I was recently laid off… i did pass all my cpa exams last year.

I had one interview until now, I think that getting a job is not easy these days, But a CPA will only make things easier for you in such a situation i wish you never encounter.

I think that you should relax. Study and try hard and enjoy it. It will help you along the way. Good luck

No signature needed.

Passed And got my license too ..

[calicpa]

relax and enjoy it? that's hard to do.

I thought about all the things you are thinking. I see a lot of successful people who never even once opened up a CPA book and a lot of not so successful people with CPAs. Once you get a couple under your belt you'll have motivation to finish. I don't even know why I keep going sometimes lol

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Jennifer241]

This is a personal question that you need to evaluate on your own. For me, I wrote down all the benefits/rewards of being a CPA, and then wrote down on the other side the consequences (which are time and money).

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[HappyDayss]

IMO, if you survived 120 credits of undergrad, plus another 30 (masters or second BS) to fulfill the 150 req, then yes go for the CPA. It is absolutely worth it. You made it this far so might as well go all in.

Its only a test, something you been doing almost all your life. You'll be alright..

Benefits of CPA:

#1 More Money

#2 More Prestige

#3 More Respect

#4 More Opportunity for Promotion

#5 Opens doors to other opportunities

#6 Networking through you State CPA Memberships

#7 More Job qualification

#8 Proves you aint no punk ass B

Done ^_^

[Anonymous]

curiousdude415- It sounds like you are letting your job get to you. If the boss is not a CPA, he may set a culture of not valuing CPAs (or paying for CPE). Think of getting your CPA license as a pathway to future jobs. You will be a step up from the competition and without it, you may hit the glass ceiling. I know I certainly did and that's why I decided to become a CPA.

Hang in there. It will be worth it.

By the way, LOL at reason 8 on HappyDayss' list.

[calicpa]

ya reason #8 is why i don't give up lol

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Liss, Master of Coin]

I'm wondering the same thing myself.

My boss makes a lot of money, he is not a CPA (which adds to my stress because once I pass these exams ill have to figure out how to meet the experience requirement).

I know at least 2 people that do very well for themselves and let their CPA expire. One switched careers but is doing fine. And I just found out that someone I've known for awhile, who I never thought of as an accountant, is actually a CPA. I'm not sure but I'm guessing he let it expire as well.

There is a possibility ill be laid off this year, so the thought of needing “I passed the CPA exams” on my résumé is keeping me going right now.

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[calicpa]

how are you gonna take all 4 sections in 2 months?????? lol

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Givemesleep]

When you tell people you are an accountant, they assume you are a CPA. Its ackward when you tell them you are not. Its worth it, if for nothing else than the challenge. Just do it.

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Anonymous]

@happydayss – #8 is awesome!

@curiousdude415 – There is a lot more to public accounting than money, believe it or not. I used to think that once I got my license, I'd make a lot more money, and the world would be my oyster. The truth is, I'm not making much more money (I live in a small town so no Big 4 for me), but I'm comfortable. The real gratification for me hasn't come in the form of a check or a billable hour. This is a true story that happened last week…

Phone rings. I answer it.

Client: (Crying uncontrollably and practically inaudible) I got this letter from the IRS saying I owed $9,000 in payroll taxes and I don't know what to do.

Me: I need you to do two things for me to help you. First, calm down and remember this is only money. You are going to make yourself sick and you are more important than any amount of money. Are you better now?

Client: (Whimpering, but understandable) Yes, you are right. It's just money and I'll get it paid one way or another.

Me: Second, I need you to fax me the letter. Can you do that right now?

Client: Yes, as soon as we get off the phone.

Me: Ok, I'll call you back as soon as I look at it. Bye.

Client faxes the letter and I read it. Hmm, it appears the IRS has made a mistake, believe it or not, they do make them.

I call the client back.

Me: Ok. You can stop worrying now because I want you to read the letter carefully.

Client: I've read it so many times I can recite it.

Me: No, I need you to read it all, from beginning to end, paying particular attention to the name and tax id number.

Client: (Screaming with delight) THAT'S NOT MY NAME OR MY TAX ID NUMBER! But it has my address.

Me: I saw that too. I've sent a fax to the local IRS office and we should have this taken care of soon. So stay calm and I'll call you back.

Twenty minutes pass and I get a fax from the IRS basically saying “We have no idea how this letter got sent to your client. Our apologies.”

I forward the IRS fax to client and an hour later the florist van pulls up and I get a wonderful thank you note and some beautiful flowers. That made my day. Sometimes, public accounting isn't about making a lot of money. Sometimes, it's about making someone's day better. There are benefits that you don't get unless you have those three little letters after your name.

If this is what you want to do, then stick with it. If you can't name, in less than 30 seconds, three reasons to keep going, then you need to re-evaluate your priorities. As for me, I'm glad I stuck with it.

[Anonymous]

@calicpa – Taking all four sections in 2 months is completely doable for some people. One of my best friends, that I met on this forum, passed all four in 2 months and her lowest score was an 89 or something most of us would kill for.

[MintsRGood]

@Kricket that is a great story, love it!!!!!

@Givemesleep The “Are you a CPA?” question is the most dreaded question for me at networking events, cocktail parties, weddings, business functions, etc. and I dread being asked that more than going to the dentist (note: the dentist gives me nightmares). I turned 30 this year and have worked in public accounting since graduating in 2004, so most people I bump into naturally ask or even worse just assume I've been certified for several years and I get to be like “umm…actually I'm not” and feel 2 inches tall when they respond with “oh…ok”. I did my MAC at night while working full time (took 5 years and the MAC is a Michigan requirement) so I used to get “have you finished your grad program yet? Umm…no” but I have found the CPA question to be much, much, much worse and far more painful.

At least at my recent events I can enthusiastically respond to the dreaded question that I'm taking my final section at the end of August and that I am almost there. It sounds and feels a lot better than “umm…no I'm not a CPA” and feeling 2 inches tall. 😉

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Liss, Master of Coin]

@calicpa, I'm guessing your “tests in 2 months” question was for me.

I've been studying for each exam since about March. I tried scheduling a test after I finished studying for a section, but then some family thing or a blackout month wound up making it too difficult.

So I decided to study for each section first, learn the material, start the next section. when done, schedule each test after giving myself 2 weeks of review before each section.

I'm hoping it'll work out. I just finished REG 2 weeks ago and immediately started AUD. according to my handy Roger study planner, I'll be on AUD until mid Sept. which will give me my 2 weeks to review REG before my 10/05 test.

I really wish they didn't have blackout months or that the CA requirement wasn't changing at the end of the year. I'm trying to finish before year end because of that.

But a work thing around the end of Oct may take me away from my reviewing for a week. Since 3 of my NTS expire on 12/31 (everything but FAR) i really wish they'd give me 1 more week in Dec. but may no choice but to reschedule FAR for 1/4

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[calicpa]

oh ok i see it's a review, not studying from scratch. good luck hope it works out for u

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Author]

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