[macychick08]

Any advice would be great.

One of my biggest fears is that I feel like I am taking forever to even be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. I am 23 now and graduated with my bachelors in accounting last year. I am almost complete with my first semester of graduate school but since I work full-time as an accountant for a large restaurant chain in Texas (I have the pleasure of balancing and closing the books every month -.-), I will probably need another year + summer to finish my master’s degree. I am dreading studying for the CPA exam once I get there. I have always been terrible at standardized tests and took me 6 months to prepare and do just medicore on the GMAT. I fear that at my age and what I have left for school and then to actually study and pass the CPA exam I’ll be 26-27 (hopefully) and I feel that I will be behind compared to every one I work with. I currently have interviews for internships at public firms and I know if I get one that will also possibly deter my school but I want to gain experience in public already. Not working and just going to school full-time is not an option. I fully support myself in every aspect and I enjoy having extra money in the bank incase anything should happen. I do not want to live paycheck to paycheck, ever, even for school. I just get stressed out when I compare myself to everyone and where they’re at in their career and graduate school is so much tougher for me than undergrad. I just feel like I’d be the worst accountant ever.

I try not to be so down on myself, but I’m always thinking if I choose the wrong career path because the end seems so far. =/

[Anonymous]

I'm 27 and I'm finishing my Masters Degree in May. I worked as a Phlebotomist and put myself through school – waking up at 3:20 in the morning and working until noon and going to school in the afternoon. I didn't do very well on the GMAT because I was studying so much for my classes and working. Despite my poor performance on the GMAT, I managed to get into a Masters program at a University near my home – thankfully. I worked hard, and make connections with recruiters and ended up getting a job offer from one of the big 4. I start this fall. I've already knocked out two of the four sections of the CPA Exam.

My advice would be, don't worry. When you compare yourself to other people, you either think you're better off or worse off – and neither one is probably true. Just do your best, set goals, and work hard. I did have to quit working full-time and start working part-time in order to accommodate my school schedule when I started Grad School. However, I'm glad that I did because it opened up other opportunities for me.

[Tncincy]

I wanted to take the cpa exam while getting my master's, I was not sure so I asked my academic advisor and I was advised to finish my masters then give the cpa exam 100%. Very good advice, so I finished my Masters, went to the commencement exercises, and now I can give the exam cpa the attention needed. Getting the Masters is hard enough so I would extend the same advice. It still depends upon how long you have to finish too.

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]

I wanted to take the cpa exam while getting my master's, I was not sure so I asked my academic advisor and I was advised to finish my masters then give the cpa exam 100%. Very good advice, so I finished my Masters, went to the commencement exercises, and now I can give the exam cpa the attention needed. Getting the Masters is hard enough so I would extend the same advice. It still depends upon how long you have to finish too.

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

[macychick08]

Every one continues to tell me to not worry about other people and I am trying my hardest not to do that because you are right, that won't help me out. I would plan on working part-time during this summer and the fall semester and then go back to full-time during an internship if I do get one. I should finish by spring 2014 with my masters but maybe summer if I take only a class or two during my internship. It's difficult because my university only offers about 2 graduate accounting classes during the summer so I have to choose my classes wisely. I don't think I could study for the CPA exam and get my masters and work even part-time I already pull my hair out with the 2 classes I am taking.

Thanks for all the advice guys…it's good to feel like I'm not alone or at least people understand my feelings.

[smp73]

I understand the feeling of comparing yourself cpa wise to others. I took a completely different path than most of my friends I went to school with. They all knocked out the exam senior spring while getting 150 credits. I decided that was not for me and worked and put myself through grad school, so I would not live paycheck to paycheck. I am one test away from the cpa and will be 25 on Saturday. All my friends from undergrad are already licensed but I know this was the right path for me. You will get there…sometimes taking a slightly different path is better in the long run! Good Luck!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[smp73]

I understand the feeling of comparing yourself cpa wise to others. I took a completely different path than most of my friends I went to school with. They all knocked out the exam senior spring while getting 150 credits. I decided that was not for me and worked and put myself through grad school, so I would not live paycheck to paycheck. I am one test away from the cpa and will be 25 on Saturday. All my friends from undergrad are already licensed but I know this was the right path for me. You will get there…sometimes taking a slightly different path is better in the long run! Good Luck!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[macychick08]

Thanks @smp73 I think you and I are in the same boat. I have been able to pay for at least my first and summer semester of graduate school from working. I took 6 months off from school after graduation to study for the GMAT. (6 months was not nearly enough time -.-) but I know people who are 22 and already passed the CPA exam! But I must keep reminding myself that we all have different backgrounds. I have never had the luxury not to work so I think it might take a little longer for me than other people.

[macychick08]

BTW did you all think the CPA was impossible to pass before you sat for it? I have a hard time imagining passing it…I already have a tough time on my graduate exams and that's because it's one subject at a time! For my managerial accounting theory class we use the Gleim BEC CPA Review and I'm still a year out from being eligible…don't think I'll be able to remember all that I learned in this class! lol

[smp73]

@macychick08: I was worried about more time studying and if I could devote another significant chunk of my life to a “textbook”. I joke that I started formal education when I was 2 so I have been either in school or studying for nearly 23 years.

All in all I would not change the decision I made to get a masters and work while doing it. It saved me significant money in student loan debt, I have a masters degree and will get the cpa. I will take me longer to get there than my friends but we will all end up in the same place eventually.

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[ak311]

I'm 26. Haven't passed because I went to grad school for a MAcc, took the exam when I was 24, then gave up for over a year. Many people I know younger than me have passed. It bothers me too but it's also a great motivator. Besides there's lots of people who aren't in their early 20's taking this thing.

My boss is 58 and is currently taking her last required courses to qualify to sit for the CPA exam and plans to sit when she's done! Also there were quite a few 30 somethings taking it at my firm when I was in public.

FAR - F (2011), 5/16
AUD - F(2011)
BEC -
REG -

2nd attempt at this thing. Time to get serious.

[jelly]

I'm a career switcher and didn't finish my accounting undergrad degree and start working until I was about 29. I finished the exams about 15 months later, around age 31. I'm currently 36, licensed, and taking grad classes 1 or 2 at a time and pay for classes with cash. I work full-time at a small place, and have my own clients on the side. I'm going to pay off my student loans next month, and I have rainy day funds to last a few years.

My coworker passed at around the age of 38, about a year ago and is collecting her work experience. She is building up her savings, and has no student loans. Both of us paid for our own exam materials and fees.

The exams and prep courses are not cheap, so you want to do the best you can within the time and money resources you have. What's the rush?

Couldn't pass again!

[surfer4life949]

If the master's program isn't too daunting, I'd say just take the CPA while you're in school. I'm doing my masters currently and I've managed to make time for both school and the CPA (although I wasn't working when I was studying for the CPA).

B-85 OCT 2012
A-84 NOV 2012
R-90 JAN 2013
F-89 AUG 2012
Ethics-92 (3rd try)

I am DONE BABY!!!
Used Roger 2012 + Wiley + NINJA Notes

[Anonymous]

Keeping up with others is always going to be a loosing game (unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffet I suppose). Do what makes sense for your life and don't worry too much on the other.

In the CPA exam review classes I teach the students are split fairly evenly. The weekday classes I have are about 50/50 or 60/40 between college age kids and mid-aged working adults with the college kids having a bit more. The Saturday classes are about 20/80 with the working adults always outnumbering the young college kids.

There are tons of older people just getting into the profession. It may not be an ideal situation if you are wanting to chase the Big 4 or similar style of firm, but there are tons of firms out there that wouldn't have a second thought about someone around 30.

[macychick08]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'm slowly starting to feel better about my situation. I've had 3 interviews with some of the best firms in my city this week. 2 larger firms and 1 relatively smaller firm. They all seemed very interested and were actually impressed at where I was at with graduate school and work. The only problem is that they all have different requirements about how soon they would want and need you to pass the CPA exam.

The smaller firm will be fine hiring me full-time after a spring 2014 internship as long as I can give them assurance that I would at least be eligible to sit for the CPA exam within that year. The time to pass and take is not necessarily an issue just as long as I do it eventually. They don't offer reimbursement however. The 1st larger firm required that I be eligible to sit for the exam by December 2014, would have the internship spring 2014. They will be willing to offer you full-time as long as you have completed the 150 hour requirement. However they wish that you take no longer than 2 years to pass the exam after graduation. They give full reimbursement as well as bonuses if you pass within certain time frames (8 mos, 1 year and 2 year). The individual exam dates are all paid vacation and they also give you paid vacation for 2 study days for each section and hire a Becker tutor for 2 complete days to come to the office and tutor you (paid). So of course their benefits are awesome but there is a demanding time constraint. The 2nd larger firm is more like the first when it comes to their requirements and they offer full-time or part-time whichever you choose while you are studying for your CPA. This surprised me because they are actually the biggest of the 3 and most notable.

I haven't gotten any of the internships yet but they all seemed quite interested and when they sat me down and explained what they expected from me and the CPA, it did put me a bit at ease. They said a lot of people are in your shoes, take it one step at a time. I have an interview with KPMG and another smaller firm in 2 weeks…I assume they'll be more demanding of their CPA expectations.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone! Thanks everyone 🙂

[smp73]

@Macy: sounds like good progress! When I accepted the job I have now it came with the stipulation that I would have my CPA all done in 3 years. At the time I already had 150 hours and the experience requirement down. I am at a “lower” position salary wise until I get my CPA but do the exact same work as everyone else. They also paid for my review material and one fee for each exam (so since I am retaking REG I have to pay the retake fee) and gave me to “free” days off to study/take the exam per part (even with the retake). By the way I work at a large university in their internal audit department.

Hope you hear some positive news about the internships!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Author]

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