Cost of becoming a CPA

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #837631
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    This is just my rant for the day since no one at my work really cares…

    I just received an e-mail from my state board that my application for becoming certified has been recommended for approval by a committee, and the board will make it’s decision at the end of the month. In the e-mail, it references a registration packet that will be mailed to me and then she proceeded to say something about if the registration fee isn’t paid timely…. From their website, I thought I had paid what I needed to until it is time to renew in a little over a year (based on their renewal schedule)

    That’s the background for this rant. It just costs so much to become licensed, I almost feel it’s excessive. Between the fees to the state board, the fees for the exam, and the test prep materials, I can’t imagine how I could do this if I wasn’t working, which just made the process more difficult. I know it can be looked at as investing in your future and you’ll earn more money and on and on…. but still.

    Okay, rant over.

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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    Replies
  • #837640
    Andyred04
    Participant

    It definitely is ridiculous but in my opinion the best investment you'll ever make in your life is in yourself and in your education. The CPA designation is said to be a $1 million designation in that, on average, a CPA will make $1 million more over the course of their career than a non-licensed accountant. If you ask me, that's a pretty safe investment.

    FAR 80
    REG 87
    BEC 87
    AUD 96

    Primarily Gleim, supplemented with Ninja Notes & Ninja MCQs

    Missouri CPA as of January, 2017

    FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    AUD: 8/27/16

    PA Candidate

    #837781
    Jakecpa
    Participant

    I would pay ten times as much just to avoid having to pass the exams, after passing all 4 the least of my worries will be the fees. Passing the tests is like 99% of my worries. The other 1% is piece of cake.

    #837787
    Track55
    Participant

    It takes money to make money …

    AUD - 99
    BEC - 83
    FAR - 86
    REG - 92
    California - Internal Audit

    CPA since December 2016.

    (took seven tries, 1 year 10 months).

    AUD - 74, 99 !!
    REG - 74, 92
    BEC - 83
    FAR - 73, 86

    Studying for Ethics exam

    California candidate
    Business and Industry

    #837802
    nadroj
    Participant

    State licensing fees < Exam fees << Tuition and fees

    #837808
    thebigguy1992
    Participant

    it takes money to make money. its an investment in the rest of your life. would you rather spend $50 on beer or alcohol or spend $50 on a multiple choice software that will help you pass?

    BEC - 79
    FAR - 62,73,76
    AUD - 70, 88
    REG - 83
    #837946
    Missy
    Participant

    How much value do you think a CPA license would have otherwise? If the exams were easier and cheaper it would be valued little more than a bachelor's in accounting.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #838999
    GitRDone2017
    Participant

    OP, oh I hear your pain!!! No argument that it is an investment worth making but damn!!!! If I had not been working there is no way that I could afford this! I am irritated that I spent so much time and effort in school only to have to turn around after graduating and purchase a CPA review course! Why can't our education system just help us out a little here? I was on a CPA track concentration yet still am not prepared enough for the exam $25,000+ later. I was a 3.5+ student so it's not because I didn't acquire the knowledge from school. I just keep telling myself I WANT that certificate on my office wall!!!! Good luck everyone

    AUD - 82
    BEC - NINJA in Training
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    "confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you" ~ Zig Ziglar

    "Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you" - Zig Ziglar
    Ninja book + Ninja MCQ + Roger
    AUD Oct 2016
    FAR Nov 2016
    BEC ?
    REG?

    #839011
    iamonloose
    Participant

    studying for CPA is costing me my hair.

    #839044
    Trees202
    Participant

    ^^iamonloose ha!

    You can get money from some of the “societies”. And make sure you write off what you can!
    I applied for a 50% Becker “scholarship” and got it. All I had to do was fill out a form and write 3 sentences why I needed it. Easiest $1500 I ever made. I think most people just don't spend the time to look for the free money.

    #839056
    golfball7773
    Participant

    How does one place a value on cost of emotional distress and anxiety caused by the exams?

    Oh and the cost of pepto bismo…..

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 86
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 71, 73

    BEC - 74, 86

    REG - 77*

    FAR - 57

    *expired

    (I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

    FAR: 63, 55, 62
    REG: 65, 77*
    AUD: Fail, 64, 71
    BEC: 72, 74, 81

    *expired

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