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Hello,
I’ve been checking out this blog since June of 2011 – when I first started studying. When I initially started to prepare for the first section I took (FAR), I just wasn’t ready for the painful process of passing all 4 sections within an 18 month window. Initially I fell short on FAR with a 73, and just didn’t have the stamina to keep going after that. Within that period of time, my Becker License lapsed, and I basically gave up.
After spending a year and a half in public accounting I saw the significance of having the license. My employer split the cost of a review course, and I decided to go at it a second time. On the second go around I started with FAR, and I passed with an 81. I then went on to take the remaining 3 section and passed each one on the first try – it wasn’t pretty (see scores below), but I did it.
I believe my success on the second go around was a testament to the re-alignment of my priorities. More specifically, I place a far higher priority on passing this exam than I did my job. For example, when I was working on the final 2 sections of the exam (AUD, BEC), my boss at the time brought me into his office, and asked for me to work more hours. I was billing at least 50 hours per week, and I felt that was reasonable. I told him I’ll do my best. After walking out of his office, I made a business decision. That decision was to not work a minute over 50 each week, and take a 1 hour lunch break to study regardless of the workload. This approach got me through AUD, and then I went on to study BEC.
At this point, BEC was the final section that I had to pass. I had until June to pass before I lost credit for FAR. Despite the commitment I made to myself, I let the internal pressure get to me, and I caved and drifted away from studying on my routine. I pushed back the exam 3 times! The third time put me in a position to where if I fail BEC, I lose credit – I couldn’t accept failure.
With that said, I quit my job after tax season. I was far more concerned about passing BEC than I was finding a new job. My thought process was, I will have 6 weeks of un-interrupted studying and I’ll give myself the highest possible chance of passing. I believed that once I passed, the rest would take care of its self.
People thought I was crazy. I didn’t care. I put my head down and studied like there’s no tomorrow. After 6 weeks of studying, I passed. I then wasted no time and took the state and the national ethics exam. I was a licensed CPA within 2 months of leaving my job.
Once I could officially put CPA behind my name, I started to look for work. I can’t speak on behalf of other people’s experiences, but for my the clouds parted, and interviews and job offers literally started to fall on my lap. I had recruiters calling my phone non-stop. I had offers for same day temp work offering 35-50 dollars per hour. Positions that I would have never been eligible not only called me in for an interview, but I had offers as well. Positions like controller, assistant controller, accounting manager, even a teaching position at a local college.
None the less, I accepted a job that was an ideal fit, and a pay increase that more than offset my time without work. I’m in a new world. I’m so happy.
My reason for sharing this story with all is to attempt to inspire those that are burned out with work and studying. I also want to reveal what can potentially happen if you put your personal professional goals in front of the demands of your job. I wish you all the best, don’t give up, there’s far too much value to be captured from passing these 4 exams.
F – 81
R – 76
A – 83
B – 79AUD - 83
BEC - 79
FAR - 81
REG - 79Ice Man
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