[Nice]

I need some advice. I previously completely 3 sections of the CPA and got a job in Australia while studying for FAR. I took the exam in Nov 2013 before relocating; only to find out that I got a 72:(. I was determined to keep pushing forward so I studied and flew back to the US in Jan retake it. To my great disappointment, I got a 74. Now my BEC score has expired. I’ve been contemplating if it’s time to focus on my career which, is very demanding at the moment and let the CPA go. I can’t afford to fly back to the US 2 separate times to retake FAR and BEC. I’ve already spent $$ to fly back in Jan. My only option would be to study for both and take them back to back as the longest I will be in the US is 2.5 weeks.

Has anyone studied for 2 exams simultaneously? If I was still living in the US, this wouldn’t be so bad, but flying back and being jet lagged while trying to take 2 exams seems overwhelming. I feel like quitting means I’m giving up and I’m struggling with possible regret , but I don’t want to operate out of fear that I won’t find a job in the future without a CPA. I currently work for a big 4 accounting firm, so I’m thinking I could bounce back? If I don’t pass both exams, I stand to lose Audit in November and that would be insanity.

What do I do? Give up and reassess if I move back to the US and retake all parts? I don’t need the CPA in Australia. There’s no guarantee of passing. So unsure and stressed, but struggling with giving up.

Aud – 70, 64, 80

Reg – 66, 88

BEC – 77 – retake?

FAR – 72, 75 – retake.

[Study Monk]

You can take the CPA exams in Japan, which might be less expensive flight wise. I don't know when you lose your credit, but you could spend your last X amount of months studying for BEC and FAR, and then take them in Japan. Not very inspirational but it is an idea.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

You can take the CPA exams in Japan, which might be less expensive flight wise. I don't know when you lose your credit, but you could spend your last X amount of months studying for BEC and FAR, and then take them in Japan. Not very inspirational but it is an idea.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

Do you anticipate being in Australia long-term or do you see this as a temporary thing? If you see it as temporary and the US as long-term, then you'd want to maintain your ability to be marketable in the US…but if you're quite happy in Australia and would like to stay there, then it seems like pushing hard for a US designation might not be worth it!

However, studying for both is possible. If you search around here, you can find stories of international students who have studied for all 4 at once, come to America for a week, and taken and passed all 4 – even with jet lag etc. However, that's not to say it's easy. I'd try to assess how much you want to be a CPA and how much you think it will help your career, and then decide if it's worth all that to you. If you expect to be an Australian accountant, then I'd probably stop pushing for it, honestly. It's just a matter of how much you think it will be worth to you.

[Anonymous]

Do you anticipate being in Australia long-term or do you see this as a temporary thing? If you see it as temporary and the US as long-term, then you'd want to maintain your ability to be marketable in the US…but if you're quite happy in Australia and would like to stay there, then it seems like pushing hard for a US designation might not be worth it!

However, studying for both is possible. If you search around here, you can find stories of international students who have studied for all 4 at once, come to America for a week, and taken and passed all 4 – even with jet lag etc. However, that's not to say it's easy. I'd try to assess how much you want to be a CPA and how much you think it will help your career, and then decide if it's worth all that to you. If you expect to be an Australian accountant, then I'd probably stop pushing for it, honestly. It's just a matter of how much you think it will be worth to you.

[Nice]

Thanks Study Monk. I initially thought Japan was an option, but Maryland is not one of the states participating in international testing.

Thanks for your reply Lilla. I'm still getting acclimated to Australia and I didn't want to put all of my eggs in one basket. That's why I pushed to retake it in Jan. Not sure if I'll stay here long term, so there's plenty to think about. I was hoping to take this time to get used to the culture and work.

[Nice]

Thanks Study Monk. I initially thought Japan was an option, but Maryland is not one of the states participating in international testing.

Thanks for your reply Lilla. I'm still getting acclimated to Australia and I didn't want to put all of my eggs in one basket. That's why I pushed to retake it in Jan. Not sure if I'll stay here long term, so there's plenty to think about. I was hoping to take this time to get used to the culture and work.

[Anonymous]

Wow so close. You give up now and you may never get it again. I say, keep at it. GL

[Anonymous]

Wow so close. You give up now and you may never get it again. I say, keep at it. GL

[vanadium3]

man oh man, that's a tough call no one really wants to make.

if you are going to stay in accounting and know for sure going to be back in us then keep at it. I wouldn't worry too much about not finding a job as you are big4 with international exp.

if not coming back to US.. well.. I'd get the equivalent of whatever it is in Australia.

take your time on this one, but since you are half way done. I'd give it one final push and then just call it if the other ones are gonna expire. at least you'll say later in your life that you did what you could.

CPA

[vanadium3]

man oh man, that's a tough call no one really wants to make.

if you are going to stay in accounting and know for sure going to be back in us then keep at it. I wouldn't worry too much about not finding a job as you are big4 with international exp.

if not coming back to US.. well.. I'd get the equivalent of whatever it is in Australia.

take your time on this one, but since you are half way done. I'd give it one final push and then just call it if the other ones are gonna expire. at least you'll say later in your life that you did what you could.

CPA

[Tncincy]

Don't give up….because you don't know what the future holds it might be good to get licensed. If by chance the situation change and you need the cpa or something equivalent it's already done. Life is an adjustment, so for the future sake I would not give up.

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

[Tncincy]

Don't give up….because you don't know what the future holds it might be good to get licensed. If by chance the situation change and you need the cpa or something equivalent it's already done. Life is an adjustment, so for the future sake I would not give up.

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

[Author]

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