CPA Exam Review Forum » General CPA Exam Forum » After You Pass: Ethics Exam, Certificates, Work Experience and Licensure
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SwissBliss
offlineMemberto US 10th - I think sometimes it's hard to compare the CPA to the Bar or the Boards for doctors, and my only reason is because they go to school for 3-4 years soley to learn how to pass the exams. While some teachers do that in regards to teaching their accounting classes, most make them applicable to life which isn't all that applicable to the exam. So we spend four years of college learning, doctors and lawyers spend an additional 3-4 years studying. Just had a friend graduate from law school from UPENN, and he said every class was geared towards passing the bar. With that being said, NO ONE understands that from the outside that we aren't "taught" this stuff prior. If someone walks out of college and passes the CPA with no outside materials or studying, they are just a genius.
FAR (77), BEC (76), REG (84), AUD ...............................Posted 2 years ago # -
spstarla78
offlineMemberI too have gotten the "You'll do fine" during the studying/ testing phase and "Great, now you can do my taxes" once I found out I passed my final part last week. I explained that I was more of an auditor and they asked if I worked for the IRS. *sigh*
AUD - 88; BEC - 75; REG - 63, 94; FAR - 77 DONE!
YAEGER convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
rosebud
offlineMemberHa, I love these posts. I was studying for the FAR section, and was not feeling ready, so I was complaining to a friend of mine about how much time it all took and how intense it was. She replied, "Oh I totally know how you feel. I'm studying for the GMAT right now and it's horrible!!" I pretty much just stood there in shock. I don't really even think I studied for the GMAT and I still got the score I needed for grad school. Not quite the same thing!! It's tough when almost no one understands.
Posted 2 years ago # -
dwadecpa
offlineMemberI've gotten three that have stuck with me:
I told someone I passed FAR, which I described as being the "hardest" part. So they assume that since I passed the "hardest" one, the rest should be easy. They don't understand that it's four separate areas/topics. It's not like the other tests cover the same topics, but just have a lower difficulty rating (or something like that).
People also think that if you pass with a 75, then that mean's you barely studied (comparing to a school exam). They think you're squeaking by. Similar comment to someone above whose Mom was disappointed that she didn't get an A. This one is super frustrating..
And just another general one. People think if you study, you will pass. If you failed, that means you slacked off.
Posted 2 years ago # -
CACPASOON
offlineMemberI have a coworker who has been a CPA almost longer than I have been alive. Meaning that "back in my day, we had to pass all four parts at once. Without a calculator!" It also means that FASB had only issued a dozen standards, SOX didn't exist, and "IT" meant a rotary telephone. When I pass BEC in one week, I will apply for a "G" license in CA. I don't have attest experience, and cannot sign attest reports, but I am STILL a CPA. On more than one occasion, this j@cka$$ has asked me what kind of license I will have (when he already knows the answer). When I tell him that I will have a general license, not attest, he proceeds to tell me that they give those out to "anyone with a pulse". I smile, and go all Ally McBeal in my head, picturing myself inflicting inordinate amounts of pain on his puny little frame. Jerk. I did feel some vengeance, however, when he came to my office during one of my lunch hour study sessions. He was blabbing on about how much easier the exam is today, and I gave him one of my MCs. Loser got it wrong! HA!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I hate it when people see the Tennessee issued CPA license. It looks exactly like the ones hair stylists have at their hair cutting desks except it says "Certified Public Accountant" in about 12 point font. Kinda anticlimatic to get certified in TN and then someone say "that looks like the one my barber has...."
Reg-66, 68, 81; Aud-81; Bec-78, Far-85Posted 2 years ago # -
NJTProadwarrior
offlineMemberYes, it does take in some cases up to 2.5 months to get a score!!!
Yes, it does cost about $200 to take one part of the exam!!
No, it is not worth appealing your second 74 in BEC, its freaking multiple choice, its either right or it is WRONG!!!
AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
AUD: 79 - BEC: 74, 74, 76 - REG: 80 - FAR: 81 = DONE!
THANK YOU JEFF!!!!!!
Support NJ's ONLY Bear Orphange - http://www.woodlandswildlife.orgPosted 2 years ago # -
CPAuggie
offlineMemberMe: The CPA exam is harder than I anticipated.
Doofus: I know what you mean, I just took the real estate exam. It is one of the hardest exams out there.
Me: Oh, I didnt know you were in real estate.
Doofus: I am not any more, I am working with a friend doing cement work.
[True story I swear]
Posted 2 years ago # -
cabinill
offlineMemberI also don't like when people who haven't experienced the CPA exam ask me how I think I did after an exam (particularly coworkers). If you've taken these exams, you know many (most?) people leave the testing center feeling at worst demoralized and at best insecure/unsure. People just don't understand that I won't ever leave this exam feeling like I aced it.
FAR - 84
REG - 81
AUD - 91Posted 2 years ago # -
Atrus
offlineMemberBy sister-in-law's fiancee just took the BAR in July. He's great, we both have a good deal of mutual respect for what the other is/has gone through.
I found an interesting read though, comparing the CPA to the BAR - I can't find the link now, but it was a research project done where lawyers with CPA's were questioned. There seemed to be a decent deal of statistical validation involved. The end result was that they are the same difficulty. the BAR has a higher pass rate because there are more hurdles to sit for it. The CPA, a recent college grad with no work experience will sit. Additionally, basically nobody will sit for the BAR without prepping, but it happens on the CPA all the time. That's the explanation for the higher failure rate.FAR - 75 (8/24/09), REG - 76 (11/16/09), AUD - 78 (1/11/2010), BEC - 76 (2/22/2010)
I'm D O N E!!!!Posted 2 years ago # -
cabinill
offlineMemberSeveral of my grad school professors were both lawyers and accountants, and they all agreed CPA was harder than the bar. But that's anecdotal. Also I think they test different things, so it's relative. I do believe it's much more important to be able to write critically and pursuasively for the bar than the CPA exam.
FAR - 84
REG - 81
AUD - 91Posted 2 years ago # -
brla
offlineMemberI had (note - HAD) a friend who thought I studied for a month & a half for all 4 parts of the CPA exam like a decade ago, not just one. Couldn't believe it was all that studying for one exam.
Him - I only had to study 2 weeks to pass 9 parts of the bar exam.
Me - Must not have been all that hard, you passed. & that's the difference between accounting & law - we like to be right the first time without milking the fees of a trial.
Haven't heard from him in a month now.AUD:84, BEC:82, REG:85, FAR:91. Licensed CPAPosted 2 years ago # -
emc
offlineMemberYeah I get it. I got told that yesterday. "When I took the exam it was hard. You have it easy. You can take one section at a time!" I am just floored. I respect those who took it paper and pencil or computer. It is a difficult exam regardless of how it is taken!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadmin#32 on my e-book (free this month with any contribution):
"My boss keeps telling me how easy I have it now that I can take the CPA Exam on a computer. Is the exam easier than it used to be?"
http://www.another71.com/50-things-you-must-know-about-the-cpa-exam.html
Posted 2 years ago # -
tpc711
offlineMemberWorst thing said to me, "what is to be proud of? a lot of people can do taxes."
As far as the bar v. cpa exam debate, I am already a lawyer, but I can't really say yet because I have only passed one section (the only section I have received a score for, FAR). Right now I am leaning bar being harder, but that could change as I take my final two sections. (still waiting on AUD, haven't taken REG or BEC). It is very close though.
One important thing to remember is every state bar exam is different. Some states are very very hard, some are very very easy.
Regardless, being a lawyer or a cpa is a great accomplishment, so it doesn't really matter which is harder.
Posted 2 years ago # -
TD
offlineMemberthis is one of the better topics on the forum....i hope it keeps going. IMO, i would rather have it be 4 separate parts that can be taken one at a time. in that regard, we do have it easier than the "ol timers". Granted, the breadth of knowledge that we have to know gets greater and greater with each passing year with all the changes and pronouncements. as far as the old paper n pencil exam, I just don't like the idea of studying for 6 months on all four topics without getting any gratification of a passing score. It would seam more difficult to maintain motivation.
the exam probably isn't any easier now than it was, but i sure seems alot more convenient. as tpc711 so poignantly noted, it really doesn't matter...a cpa is a cpa and it's a big accomplishment.FAR - 88; BEC - 87; REG - 81; AUD - 93...now onto the PETH exam!
The harder you work, the luckier you get!Posted 2 years ago # -
cpastories
offlineMemberI enjoyed going over everybody's stories! I do NOT think my situation was unique, but I have been on the receiving end of most of the situations.
1. "Why are you taking the exam now?" - [I didn't know what to say... I had already told her, it was not needed at my old job; I didn't have the money; I didn't think I needed it. etc. Truth is, I see my career going towards being in IT consulting than Accounting. I still think it is good to be a CPA and get the accounting experience.]
2. "You said you failed FAR, you got 84. You said you failed BEC, you got 87. You said you failed AUD, you got 77, and now you are saying you failed REG? You are smart, you will get it!" [the shocker to me was somebody rattling off my scores! Like somebody has already said, you don't leave the exam thinking "I aced it!"]
3. "Not bad at all!" - [After I got 74 on REG! - I thought, Thanks, but it is bad!]
4. "When is your exam coming out?!" - I have to answer the same question over and over again to the same people... I considered saying, "Go to another71.com and ask Jeff ;-) LOL!http://cpastories.com - CPA exam study and motivational tipsPosted 2 years ago # -
ALOE
offlineMemberA few weeks ago I told my friend, who is still a senior in college, that I was about to start studying for another section of the CPA exam. He said, "Ya I know how you feel I've got the GRE's coming up." ....
REG - 76 November 2009
BEC - 75 February 2010
AUD - 70,92 November 2010
FAR - 69;78 May 2011Posted 2 years ago # -
havetopass
offlineMemberMost ignorant statements to date (and there have been many made):
"You need a break. Going out one night the weekend before your exam is not going to make you fail. There's no way that you are going to pass if you have to study all day on Saturday & don't take a break."
After seeing my lectures on DVD - "Why are you even doing this then? That looks like it is terrible".
I am so sick of people reminding me of all the fun I'm missing. It's not like I am having the time of my life studying. Literally the only other people who understand are either taking the CPA exam or are in some sort of post-graduate school.
BEC 76 AUD 86 FAR 81 REG 79
FINALLY FINISHED!!!!Posted 2 years ago # -
brla
offlineMemberLatest one I had was just yesterday:
Are you studying again? Yes. Didn't you just get your grades? Yes, couple weeks back. Then why are you studying, flunked it? No, I passed. There are several parts (followed by long explanation).
So you spent 6 weeks studying one part, another 6 weeks for a 2nd part & now at least 6 weeks for a 3rd part? Yes, exactly.
Oh. I owe you an apology. A couple people asked how are you & where you have been & I told them every couple months you keep studying for the CPA exam & you keep flunking.
Thanks alot.
Followed immediately by someone who was listening: Why are you going through all this? They ain't gonna give you a raise.
Ouch.AUD:84, BEC:82, REG:85, FAR:91. Licensed CPAPosted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminlol
Posted 2 years ago #
CPA Exam Review Forum » General CPA Exam Forum » After You Pass: Ethics Exam, Certificates, Work Experience and Licensure
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