[Kikidelivery]

I have been studying for CPA. I work for a private company where we don’t really need a CPA. My boss is the firm’s controller and I am not even sure if he is a CPA (never asked). None of my colleagues is a CPA. I don’t tell anyone at work that I am pursuing CPA because they don’t expect me to leave the firm. Instead, they expect me to work for them longggg period. Moreover, some of them seem to anti-CPA since they are not (maybe tried before and did not succeed). All these reasons, I can’t tell anyone…

Since the firm does not need a CPA, I’ll have to find another job eventually. I am planning to talk to my boss when I have passed 3 parts and will be looking for audit jobs. When people ask me what my plan for the weekend is, I say that doing nothing. I say the same thing every week because I actually stick my face on my books on the weekends. Last time I took 2 days off to take audit, I said I visited my in-laws. I just feel uncomfortable to keep it secretly. I feel bad if I have to leave my company. I like my department, but I have my dream to become a CPA. I just want to hear if anyone has this problem!!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

Kiki

[Tcohle]

Literally doing the exact same thing in the exact same scenario, except in a different industry. I told my bosses what I'm studying for. But there's no way they know that I have to leave to get credits under a cpa so I don't worry about it lol

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

I work in private industry and I am in the same situation. I keep it to myself until i pass all the exams for my current position.

at my previous job i told my manager and a few others that i was taking the CPA. I kept getting questions like “hows the studying going” or ” how many parts you have left” or “why are you taking the exam”

[pg2324]

After 4 years working as a Staff Accountant at a NFP, I decided to begin studying for the CPA exam in early 2014. I didn't tell any of my co-workers because I didn't want to get the same questions buzz88 described above. Also, I was worried that I might not even be able to get a job in public, having only NFP experience. Nobody at my job knew about my plans until the day after i accepted an offer and told my boss that I was leaving to pursue my CPA. My boss had his MBA, but would occasionally mention how he regretted not going for his CPA, so he was happy for me.

I had waited until i had 3 parts passed before I began to apply for jobs in public. I started working at my current firm (small CPA firm) in December 2014 and am glad I went through with it all. I will now have public experience to put on my resume, which is a desired (sometimes required) qualification for many managerial accounting positions.

[State Aggie]

I've been on a short list for a layoff twice in my life. Events beyond the company's control and beyond my control was the only reason I remained employed both times.

Don't feel bad for your employer, they would send you packing without notice if it was in their best interest. I have told people, and I've missed some opportunities. I don't need a CPA for my current job, and the next step on the ladder is occupied by someone who has hit their ceiling.

BEC - 87
AUD - 74, 92
REG - 82
FAR - 65, 85

[JakeOhman1]

Bummer. That's a tough thing to keep to yourself!

[TheGuyCPA]

I have told practically my entire department. I'm even seeking reimbursement for my Becker study course and my exam fees. They agreed they will reimburse me. I hope that doesn't negatively affect me but people here have done so in the past and weren't fired or anything. They did leave for better paying jobs though so they might already predict what I might do…

FAR - 80
REG - 78
AUD - 88
BEC - 84

State of Illinois Licensed CPA as of September 2015

[Tcohle]

@StateAggie–Absolutely right. When I first thought about how I will later leave my company. I was overcome with guilt. This is my first job, they took a chance on me, and have really groomed me. “I love working here everyone's great!” “I can't just leave my post, how will they survive?”–These were two questions I asked myself. Reality is, they can get someone to learn everything and replace you within 3 months. It would be professional to give the company some courtesy notice, especially if it's a small business. There are better opportunities out there, it's a fact.

They just layed off 2 guys at my work that have been there 10+ years. They're not in the business of being nice to people, they will do whatever it takes to keep the business afloat.

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

I would suggest that lying about where you're going or what you're doing isn't adviseable…so I wouldn't say “I'm going to the in-law's”, I'd just say “I've got some stuff I need to take care of” or “Eh, sometimes you just need some time off” or something generic. Keeping your studying to yourself is fine, but lying about it can be found out and then makes everyone wonder what's so terrible that you're hiding it.

[Kikidelivery]

I think I feel bad because I still remember every word I told them in my job interview. They had a high turnover before they hired me. I said I would work as long as I can. I am royalty. Just like Tcohle said that this is my first job, they took a chance on me, and have really groomed me. I know they can train someone, but my colleagues will have to do my work while replacing me. It is multiple company with 14 entities. So it is complicated and it takes a while to train someone. However, I don't care about my company, but my colleagues. I don't like my company high management. Our CFO does not even treat accounting department like his people. He never comes by to just talk to us about how we are doing, except for work issues! It is not a type of leaders that I like to work for long term. I'll move on and do what I have to do.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Now I know that I am not alone 🙂

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

Kiki

[MsMathWiz]

I agree that it is difficult to keep to oneself. I work for a federal agency. I spoke with my supervisor about it after my friend in a different region told me that her supervisor was very understanding and even approved for the agency to pay for her Becker. My turn out wasn't the same. The response I got was “sure, submit it in writing, and i'll see what I can figure out, but I've never had any employee request this”. My supervisor, unlike my co-workers, isn't a CPA. I feel like I have been assigned more overnight audit jobs, more complicated clients, and being overly critiqued. Not sure if this has anything to do with my request, but i'm making it work with what little time I have and never mentioned it again. For all my supervisor knows, I am just focusing on work and enjoying my “free time”. She'll ask what I am doing on the weekends, and i'll say visiting my family, skiing (in the winter), or home DIY projects….seems my supervisor likes those answers better….go figure.

FAR Jan'13-failed-Next date: Jul 2015
AUD Sept 2015
BEC- Nov 2015
REG- Feb 2016

[Last Chance CPA]

I am not even in the accounting field, so imagine how hard it has been for me these past 2+ years. To top it off, I am a travelling consultant, so not only can I not tell my co-workers/bosses, I have to sit in my hotel room late at night studying for this exam! And I still haven't passed yet!!!

I can't wait for this nightmare to be done…

AUD - 75
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 76

I want those initials next to my name!!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[ruggercpa2b]

Kiki I totally get where you are coming from, however, I would err caution to you wanting to leave because your CFO does not take time out to talk to the people in the accounting department socially. In all the jobs that I have worked it has always been like that. Most people in upper management do not really have the time to be social with people that report to them. You try to draw the line at being professional and not being too friendly with people that report to you.

I like when my boss doesn't get into my personal business. I like to come to work and we talk about work. I have a handful of close friends that I share some personal stuff with but its very limited sharing.

If you like what you are doing and they pay you well and you have opportunities to advance then I wouldn't leave because of the CFO not making small talk. When I was at the Big 4 there were partners I worked with that would literally look at you and walk right past you even after you smiled and said good morning. Some bosses are just direct and to the point and do not want to make small talk.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Kikidelivery]

@ Last Chance CPA, you Will get there, almost!!

@ruggercpa2b, the CFO is not the main point that I want to leave. First of all, I don't get paid well, comparing to one of my colleagues who has been here as long as I have, has less responsibilities than I have and have work experience pretty much what I have, but she gets paid $7k more than I do!! When I found out, I was shocked! I took this job because I was still in school that time (senior). I thought they gave me a chance, so I jumped right in. I also thought that I'd work my ass off and pursue CPA anyway. On top of that, there's some “pretty dirty” sh*t in upper management that I feel uncomfortable to do my job. By the way not just that CFO does not take time out to talk to us, but he seems to back up those upper management. It is not that bad to be considered fraud, but questionable for sure! I got in trouble once because I asked upper management to submit additional supporting document…I am supposed to keep my month shut and do whatever I am told!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

Kiki

[Author]

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