[osoderquist]

No, I’m not complaining, nor am I trying to puzzle you. I just want to know what is keeping you going? I probably have had an easier route than most of you, given that I passed all my exams in a short time, but at this time I have hit a motivational issue. Yes, I can make it, but I’m really procrastinating and put all other things I need to do ahead. But, I know that a lot of you have had a rough time with many setbacks (missed exams one after the other, and maybe missing by only a few points).

I passed the 4 exams in 87 days, even though English is only my third language, and I had to wait another 78 days to receive my CPA certification in MA https://license.reg.state.ma.us/public/pubLicRange.asp?profession=Certified_Public_Accountant&licenseNo=31404&querytype=license&color=red

Additionally, I received my CGMA, from AICPA, as a freebee due to my experience (3 years in a Management Accounting role), and the fact that I got certified, and had the experience, before 01/01/15. After this date you will be required to pass a strategic case study examination.

In the middle of it all, I decided to go for the CMA, as well, and I passed the first part while waiting for my official recognition. Additionally my girlfriend is an entrepreneur, working 16 hours a day, which means that I don’t have to deal with the ‘your exam is more important than me’ issue. But, unfortunately the CMA exam windows are only for 2 months, 3 times a year, why I had to put of my 2nd CMA a few months, until September.

What so ever, I just can’t get back to studying the material, and I’ve convinced myself that I have to wait for Jeff’s FAR book to get going, as his extraordinary BEC book was what got me through the material for CMA pt1. But in fact, I believe I’m facing the same issue as a lot of you.

How do you stay motivated, and what is actually keeping you going through with this? Notably if you miss one, or two or more of the exam parts.

What is actually keeping you going?

I’m not sure how I would have reacted if I had gotten 73, or 74 on my two first parts, instead of 75 and 76 by pure luck.

Additionally, I believe that your story might inspire others but me, the less lucky than myself, to go on and not to give up even though it must be a really rough time to go through.

I would really appreciate hearing your story, and pick from your strength to never give up.

Sincerely, I wish you all the best luck with your en-devour of becoming a CPA, and more.

Finally, I wish that I had known about Jeff and his another71.com before I wasted my time in taking the “face-to-face” Becker classes, notably after having read the BEC book the night after and the day following my BEC exam, at a time when I still had motivation and energy…. and I’m also sorry about the length of my post, frustration I guess;)

MS Accounting, MBA

AUD 76 2/25/14 – Becker

FAR 75 3/8/14 – Becker

BEC 86 5/3/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes (this is the point were I discovered the another71.com)

REG 84 5/23/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes & MCQ

CPA MA 7/24/14 (+ CGMA designation)

CMA pt1 410 6/28/14 – NINJA BEC book + Gleim MCQ

CMA pt2 sched 9/2/14 – Hopefully NINJA FAR book + Gleim MCQ

For personal advice, or just because, feel free to connect http://www.linkedin.com/in/olasoderquist/

P.S. it might sound like I’m linked to Jeff somehow, but I’m just as you, a fellow traveler on the route to a CPA, that would have save lots of money if I had only knew about this site beforehand… The ones following us will most likely have access to a full set of NINJA books, that along with the other material I definitely can vouch for, by experience. It is not only offered at a fraction of the cost, but it’s also the prime material on the market. At least, if the standard of the upcoming books maintain the quality of what I experienced with the initial edition of the BEC book.

[M.O.D.]

I answered you in the CMA thread.

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)

[osoderquist]

I noticed your other post, and I give you credit for your insight. I might push you on the subject if, and when, I arrive to motivate myself to open the books in the first place.

But, the idea with this thread is more of a conversational subject, what do you do to stay motivated, when things feels tough and over-whelming? Hopefully, we can open discussion about how people stay motivated and keep on going. Because, as we all know this is not a hike and one set-back can really throw you off the wagon. Hopefully, someone will get inspiration and keep on going, by reading other peoples insight. Just saying, if I can do it, you can as well. As with everything else it's a question of – How much do you want it, or am I simplifying? Te best advice I can give is: Don't be too hung up on details and try understanding the concept, and put all the time you can into MCQs, but not by memorizing, but to understand the whys' as well as (just as important) the why nots'.

Or, am I beside the track?

I noticed that M.O.D. take Spanish classed to get out of the “dreadfully track”, myself I have tried Russian, but that didn't help to motivate me, on the contrary it got me even further away. I count on the another71 community to help me out in finding my thing;)…

MS Accounting, MBA

AUD 76 2/25/14 – Becker

FAR 75 3/8/14 – Becker

BEC 86 5/3/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes (this is the point were I discovered the another71.com)

REG 84 5/23/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes & MCQ

CPA MA 7/24/14 (+ CGMA designation)

CMA pt1 410 6/28/14 – NINJA BEC book + Gleim MCQ

CMA pt2 sched 9/2/14 – Hopefully NINJA FAR+BEC book + Gleim MCQ

[osoderquist]

In the first post above, I gave the link to my LinkedIn account as I prefer not to share my email and phone# on a public board. You don't need to connect with me, but under the connect info tab on the left, just under the number of connections you can find my email and phone#, but please keep it to reasonable hours, 6pm- 1am EST is OK. I don't say that I will always pick up, but I will get back to you within 3-4 days as a maximum. I'm more than willing to connect and share my experiences with the CPA exams. If my task become too overwhelming, which I don't believe. I might have to stop this service early in order to keep my sanity intact, but if this is the case I will announce it here. Otherwise, I intend to do what is promised.

Since I nowadays am not too often on the board itself, as I fortunately already have received my CPA, I though this would be easier. If Jeff can share his experience by setting up this community, and producing all this excellent material at a very reasonable cost (I honestly hope that he get at least his invested capital and time back, but I would prefer he make a decent living so he'll keep the community alive. Not to mention to feed the colony of kids he has assembled over the years;)), I'm ready to share as well. I also commit to keeping this service open for the rest of this year, 2014.

I have nothing to sell, nor to advertise, but some things are just the right thing to do. And remember, I have been in your shoes and questioned myself why… many times over.

I wish you all the best in the mission of becoming a CPA. Who knows, maybe this is the motivation I need to get going with my readings, as I'm currently in the questioning of if I will pursue a CFA after my CMA, and why not a DBA. If you want to follow this example I advice you to choose an AACSB accredited university, or if in Europe or elsewhere with an EQUIS accreditation. It's just an simple advice of not throwing your money into anything. This goes for your MS Accounting or your MBA as well, if you aim for more than a CPA. Just remember you will never get a positive ROI out of this, it's more of a life experience of constant learning. Only the sky is the limit of what you try to accomplish in your lifetime.

When did I get this sentimental? I guess it starts at one point. After 1 hour I'm stuck with this promise, and something I learnt is to never break a promise. Every morning you wake up and you watch yourself in the mirror, you should do it with pride, and how can you do this if you break your promises.

I wish you all the best,

MS Accounting, MBA

AUD 76 2/25/14 – Becker

FAR 75 3/8/14 – Becker

BEC 86 5/3/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes (this is the point were I discovered the another71.com)

REG 84 5/23/14 – Becker + NINJA Notes & MCQ

CPA MA 7/24/14 (+ CGMA designation)

CMA pt1 410 6/28/14 – NINJA BEC book + Gleim MCQ

CMA pt2 sched 9/2/14 – Hopefully NINJA FAR+BEC book + Gleim MCQ

[Author]

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