[IAmCam]

This is my first time posting on this forum, I have been reading it a lot recently because I have been more serious about my CPA but here is a story.

I graduated from college with 150 credits so that I can sit for the CPA, I didn’t know what to do with my accounting degree yet so I found the first “accounting job” that would hire me. The job didn’t have much to do with accounting more data entry until they gave me AR which I really liked. Time to start the CPA took BEC first in Aug 2015 because it is the “easiest” got a 59, I was slightly heartbroken but I knew I wasn’t a good test taker and I knew I didn’t study to the best of my ability, so I picked myself up and took 2 months to study and got a 71 this time. This time it really got to me, I started to think is this worth it, if I cant pass BEC how can I become a CPA, and it started thinking what do I want to do with a CPA even if I get it. I gave it a 3rd try, but during my studying I was thinking that I really dont know why I am doing this. Ended up with a 73 and then I really started thinking, a CPA would be nice but am I doing it for a possible pay raise, am I doing it to say that I am a CPA, am I doing it to go into Public or am I doing to secure myself job wise. I started giving myself excuses to not continue studying. I figured at this time it was Mar 2016, I had started a new job, moved and decided to take the summer off to clear my head. Few months into the summer I had quit the CPA I decided it wasnt for me.

My girlfriend started taking the CPA around Spring of 2016, she took BEC first, passed on her first try, I was happy for her, I knew this was something she had more determination and motivation then me. She took REG next and we made a bet about her score, and if I lost I would have to study again. I lost and took my time getting back into studying. It was mid summer at this point and I decided to give BEC another try, I have seen the material so much I thought, let me try again. I studied and felt like I was actually understanding the material, took the exam right before Labor Day got my results and found out I passed with an 81. I fist pumped the air, jumped in joy on my way to work, I have finally passed an exam. With the changes coming up I knew I have about 6 months to pass the next 3 exams. I decided to take AUD and REG before the year ends and FAR in Mar and be done before the changes kick in. I started studying for AUD, changed my study habits a little and got a 69 after a month wait. The wait was brutal but the results hurt, I knew it was close, I knew I did well on the simulations because I found most of them in the AL. At this point I was already studying for REG so I took REG on Dec 10th and took a vacation the next day. I felt myself burning out and really needed a break. I came back from vacation yesterday and looked at my results and my girlfriends. She took FAR her last exam in the beginning of this month so we were both anxious to see. I checked her exam first, she passed I was so happy for her. I checked my next and got a 51. I felt like I studied the most for this exam, I watched lecture videos, did MCQs, made notecards, tried to understand concepts, I felt like I had it. During the exam MCQs seemed fine and simulations kicked my butt, but I felt like maybe I can squeeze by.

With only 1 exam done and less than 3 months to take the exam until the official changes take place, this changes all of my plans. I now have to take an exam with the new changes and I wont know those results until Mid August that means my journey still has to go on for 8 months. I feel so defeated again, to have failed 5 times and knowing I still have so much work to do has me thinking again why am I doing this. I have changed my study habits multiple times, I use Becker and Fast Forward, ask my gf for help and I just dont know anymore. I apologize I know this is a long read but I really need career advice and somehow no one at my job, that works above me has an accounting degree, so they cant relate. I do have AUD rescheduled for Mid January and I do have an NTS for FAR until late MAY.

The million dollar question that has been asked so many times, is the CPA worth it? I feel like I can have a happy and successful life without it, I am a hard worker and am passionate about any job I work on, but I know that I am once again looking for excuses to quit but mentally I just dont know how much more I can take. I like this forum because its a community that helps each other and has the similar emotions and stories.

Please any advice would be great and I apologize for the lengthy story and a lot of details are still left out.

[Missy]

Also I love the whole money can't buy life mentality but the TRUTH is someday you're a parent looking at $900 senior picture packages, proms, marching band trips to Hawaii and national cheer competition in Orlando. You have no idea until you look your child in the eyes and tell them they can't participate in a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at the 75th anniversary of pearl harbor because the funds just aren't there. Newlyweds can get by on love, parents of teens not so much lol

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Tncincy]

Mia11692 is absolutely right….the cost of 4 children in college is tremendous and very time consuming. Not only the price of band trips and basketball games and tournaments but try to be at every event home or away (yes my husband and I didn't miss a beat}….so get the CPA behind you the memories are great and non erasable. Oh and don't for get the pledging Kappa and Delta as well, so more money and conventions. Yes, it's my turn and they are rooting for me now. Time to make it count.

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

[mitchvols]

People have failed a lot more tests than you have. And after their name, they still have , CPA. If you can pass one, you can pass all of them. They are all very difficult, just each present a different challenge.

To be blunt, it comes down to one or two things, you aren't smart enough, or do you just not want it enough?

And since you have passed a section, I think you're smart enough.

AUD - 90
BEC - 79
FAR - 86
REG - 81

Licensed CPA - Tennessee

Finished Exams in December 2016

REG - 81

AUD - 74, 72, 90

BEC - 79

FAR - 86

[nyclife]

You can pass the exam. I see too many candidates give up. Life isn't handed to you. We all have our challenges. Some people pass it on the first try and others take it more than once. The journey is equally as important as the destination.

Do not take more than one exam per quarter. Take one and get your results. If you fail, start over as if you never reviewed the material. Then focus on your weak areas. Take the exam again. Hopefully you pass or your failing score increases from the last try. Try to remember the areas that you couldn't easily answer during the exam. Then purchase additional study materials and start the review all over again. When completed, review your weak areas including the sections you recall from the exam that you had trouble with. Take the exam, pass it, and schedule the next one. Do not get ahead of yourself and pay for other sections until you pass the one in front of you.

You have your girlfriend to help you if you are confused about a subject. She can explain the areas that you are having difficulty understanding.

Also, candidates don't realize that all accounting schools are not created the same. Some programs are better than others. This is reflected, to a certain degree, in the students' CPA exam scores and number of attempts. Accept that you may have an accounting degree but it does not imply that you know the material as well as other students from other programs. Therefore, you may have to learn some of the initial material again. The exam tests your knowledge. The review material such as Becker is simply that – a review program. Lastly, some people are better test takers than others. Accept that and move on. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in life. No one is perfect. However, you have an amazing opportunity to set yourself up in life in many ways. How bad do you want it?

[Anonymous]

If you really want it you can do it. I passed far on my third try , aud first try and bec and reg both on the second try. I did all of beckers questions at least 4 times. I studied for probably 4,000 hours in total to pass. If you really want it you'll do whatever it takes, for me it was living super broke and not working until I passed, I still had a tiny amount of income to get me by but by no means anything substantial. Sounds like your like I was until I put in 8 hours a day. Some people require less studying , some even more than I spent. You have to realize what it will actually take for you to pass and Make those changes in your life around the test. If it means selling your car and riding a bike , only working 20 hours a month and studying 160 hours a month or something like that then that's what it will take. But you have to Be all in or It's a waste of time and money so it's a serious decision initially. But after all of that (that's what I did) , there no better feeling than to be a CPA ! You can do it if you want it bad enough!

[IAmCam]

Wow, I did not think I would get this much feedback from so many people. So thank you.

Right now I am still trying to figure out what to do. The part that I am still stuck on is I want to stay in private and not public so how much will a CPA help me in private realistically. Right now at my current job, which I enjoy, it is a small sales company so the accounting department is small, 6 total people including the CFO. A CPA will do very little for me here as it wont speed up my process to move up. Next choice, if I do decide to move on and I have a CPA, other than my resume going on top of the list and more companies looking at me it doesn't guarantee me a job. I see how a CPA can help but not enough for me to give me that drive or incentive. I know this might sound stupid and naive, and I was hoping to hear back from someone who was in a similar situation but I feel like most people who quit don't come back to this forum. I know this might frustrate some people, but I just don't see the finished picture and I think that's why I cant push myself.

I do appreciate people taking time of your their lives to respond to this post, and try to help me.

[IAmCam]

Exactly 3 years later my journey has come to an end, and I am done with the CPA. Got my results this morning with a 75 in FAR. Short story I came back to the CPA this February with an awesome support team at my new current job, passed all 4 on my first try with an exception of REG. With so many people helping me on this forum 3 years ago, I wanted to give back with my advice.

First of all, it is okay to quit. Through my journey I learned that the CPA is not for everyone and right now might not be the right time. I took BEC 4 times in 2015/2016 before I passed my first exam. I realized I wasn't fully committed to get my CPA, I still wanted to go out with friends and enjoy life. Which brings me to the last 2 points be willing to adapt and make sacrifices. You have to make changes to your study habits if you are continuing to fail. There are so many different resources out there that you have to change it up if something isn't working. Lastly, you have to say no to things, like going out, and attending events.

Thank you everyone, it has been a journey but I am finally done

[thunderlips]

Congrats on being done!

[aaronmo]

Congrats! Must feel great to have accomplished it.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[jacksquat93]

Wow this is awesome! So true about the motivation and life circumstances, if aren't motivated you won't pass, period.

FAR - 81

REG - 86

AUD - Still need to take

BEC - Still need to take

Main: Wiley, supplement with ninja the last 2.5 weeks.

[Recked]

Congrats!!! I'm glad you didn't give up on the dream. Well done.

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)

[DocJ]

Nice.

[lara]

I just love this! Congratulations.

AUD- 77 (10/28/18)
FAR- 77 (4/8/19)
BEC- 70 (8/5/19); 82 (11/30/19)
REG- 75 (12/7/19)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1

[Molly]

This encourages me so much! I am in your exact position from 3 years ago… finishing up my last semester in college and unsure if I want to pursue the CPA. Congratulations on passing it and getting those three letters!!!

[vbmer]

Congrats!

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
FAR - 89
REG - 80

Manager, Big 4 Corporate Finance, CPA (WA)

[Author]

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