[Radez]

Hi folks,
I’m burning out fast. I made the exam my first priority this year and it has been showing in the quality of my work output. I’m in a sufficiently senior position where the expectation is that I independently seek out opportunities to add value, over and above the tactical day-to-day output assigned to me. This year, I have been staying pretty close to the tactical (bare minimum to stay employed), with any extra effort invested into exam prep.

As a result, I’ve accumulated a long list of projects with no explicit deadline which I have basically deferred until after the exam. This has contributed to a sense of failure and my enthusiasm for the job has waned tremendously, as has my enthusiasm for the exam.

My current plan is basically white-knuckle it through the exam, then take two weeks off, where I do not study, because I won’t have results, and use that time for a mental reset, before coming back for September and Q4 to really knock it out professionally.

I think this is the best approach available to me, but I’m interested if other folks have found themselves in a similar situation and how you’ve dealt with it.

Thanks in advance.

AUD - 98
BEC - 93
REG - 84
FAR - 91

[Recked]

I know I get overwhelmed with tax season work load (March April Sept Oct).
My best advice to you would be to make lists. Jot down every project you have on the back burner, then prioritize the list.
Ultimately the CPA exam needs to take priority over work, but you also want to retain your clients as you move through the process so you still have work after the exam is over.
Make the list and see what you can accomplish as you work towards your FAR date, then get back to your work as soon as you can after your last test.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[Radez]

Thanks. You're right. I'm just looking for an excuse to avoid thinking about work while I finish this last sprint. I can't complete any of these projects, but there's no excuse for me not to be making incremental progress on them either.

AUD - 98
BEC - 93
REG - 84
FAR - 91

[shawn in VA]

Radez-

I am in similar position, but add 2 kids and spouse. I work in public as senior assoc. in Tax and try to balance work and CPA studies. Unfortunately, work wins b/c I am the only income earner in the house and cannot afford to do bare minimum and risk getting fired.

I study every weeknight but on bad nights its 1 hour and good nights its 3 hours. It never feels like enough study time even though I put in 12 hours sat and sun combined.

I am 10 years out of school so the concepts take longer for me to understand. There was a post in a different thread and someone commented on how the exams are meant for people right out of school (23 to 25 years old). I am starting to believe that.

AUD - 84
BEC - 81
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 75

AUD - 84

BEC-  81

REG-75

FAR- TBD

[Author]

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