[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

@Vbmer I totally get what you are saying but the biggest hindrance I have in staying at B4 is that the average senior manager at my firm makes around $150 and that requires at minimum 7 years. Partnership at my firm is easily no less than 14 years (with a GREAT chance of never even becoming partner). I am not even done with year 2 yet and see that I can make a very handsome income running my own circus while doing something I actually enjoy which is running a business. Would I like to make >$1mm a year? ABSOLUTELY, but I think I would settle for $4-500k LOL.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

@recked @NYSCPA So here is my current situation; I am working in SALT where all of my clients are multi-million/billion dollar corporations. I can confidently say that around 60-70% of the work I am doing right now will not translate to a smaller CPA office dealing with small businesses and individuals. I would also note that most of the individuals that come to me are simple w-2 returns with the occasional sprinkle of multi state 1099 clients, nothing too complex and with the right software pretty reasonable to work on when I get home from the office.

I am at a crossroads because the paycheck is guaranteed, but I have ZERO interest in the work I am doing at Big 4. Ideally I would like to build up a book of business to go to an older CPA with some leverage when negotiating buying in as a partner. I am also open to the whole “grooming” into partnership as most clients will want to get to know me before I take over. My biggest dilemma right now is should I begin looking to leave to a smaller firm sooner than later so I start to get tangible relevant knowledge and experience or should I wait it out a little longer at big 4? I am 25 living in Michigan and at the risk of sounding ungrateful or pretentious, I want to break 6 figures by the age of 30 (I set that goal right before sitting for my first CPA exam).

I guess all of this boils down to one question…. Given my limited experience with individual taxation and small business accounting, what would be my best bet, staying with my B4 firm for a few more years? or to begin actively looking for a smaller CPA at the risk of taking a slight paycut until I am groomed into partnership.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

I had ZERO hope that I passed. I only studied for 2 1/2 weeks peak busy season because I work in SALT and most of my deadlines are 11/15 (I do NOT recommend this approach). I felt GREAT going into the exam, but walking out I wouldn't have been shocked if I got a 60%. I now firmly believe that if you just put in the time, the honest effort, and as soon as you find the method that works for you, these exams are not awful. I do have a theory though that studying too long for these exams can be detrimental. I spent over 2 months studying for FAR and that was the only exam I had to retake because I started to forget the stuff from earlier chapters and kept playing catch up with every chapter.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

Passed with 81!!!!!! I took this the day before my Audit exam expired….. but now I’m DONE!!! @jeff you are the MAN! I’m free!!!!!!!……. except I have to take some CLEP exams and get 14 more credits to meet 150 🤷🏻‍♂️… anyone got any tips? Lol

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

I wish I could move the test back; however, my Audit exam expires the 30th. Prayers up on this one. Gonna be a doozy. I should have mentioned I took this exam last year and got a 72…. I am an idiot and let work get too busy and I just let myself get lazy and not study until it came down to the witching hour (cue scott hanson's voice)

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

@recked a 63 and I know it was because of government because I got, not kidding, around 30 government MCQ's and was very weak on those my first go around. I spent my first week rehitting gov heavy to get a very good base.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

I would say since score releases are middle-end of september, I would go on and schedule AUD as much of FAR is still fresh and a lot of FAR is applicable to AUD. I took FAR, AUD, and BEC in Q2 and REG early Q3. Retaking FAR unfortunately, but a lot of the info has stuck because I studied a lot of this material on BEC and AUD and some of the minutia was covered on REG. I would go ahead and schedule your next exam for early October, and then if need be restudy for FAR right after.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

My CPA story goes like this:
Studied for FAR from January 15th until my test date of April 5th. Almost a full 3 months of prep. Goingi into the exam I did not want to see a government heavy exam, or a pension heavy exam. With my luck i had all but 2 sims focused merely around pension and at least 30 government questions. If anything tells you how I felt, its that on the exit survey of the exam for additional comments I simply wrote “help me”. Since the score release was so delayed I decided to bust through to Audit next giving myself a month and then also took BEC on the last testing day of the window. Making that 3 exams in one quarter. I start working in September so I am fulltime studying but my brother is getting married August 18th, and I come from a VERY greek family so weddings are not a 1 day occasion, they are a whole month of family flying in from Greece, Italy, and all over the country. I decided to push onto REG since I had to wait almost 2 1/2 weeks for my score anyways. I got a 63 on FAR and passed BEC and AUD. I am now restudying for FAR and am sitting September 10th. I know I am going to retake REG as well. The point I was trying to get at is that now I am restudying for FAR almost 4 months after touching the material, yet a lot of this stuff has stuck in my head because BEC and AUD covered a lot of the minutia that I didnt pick up on the first time around. Surprisingly REG touched on the DTA and DTL which tripped me up as well. Push through and do not be afraid to move onto other sections while waiting for the score. For me personally (I am NOT the best student either and college NEVER came easy to me) a lot of this material stuck from the first time around, so my studying thus far has been narrowing it down to topics that are giving me the MOST trouble with constant review of all material at least 3-4 times a week.

sorry for the rambling. coffee and revenue recognition lectures get me AMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

This is ridiculous. Their number doesnt even work either. Good thing NINJA is still up so this whole day isnt a complete waste.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

@recked I got a 63 and the first time I studied from January 15 to April 5th (exam day). I actually believe that I studied too long as there were some topics that I started to forget about. I am studying full time as I start work at the big 4 September 13th. I plan to put in around 40-50 hours a week.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

First off, I think you're going to get some harsh responses to this question so prepare for that. However, what you did was definitely not wise, should have just drank a ton of coffee and five hour energy's. However, If you were competent enough to get an internship, then you will be able to get other interviews, especially now that you have big 4 experience on your resume. Very rarely do big 4 recruiters reach out to each other for character references. If it ever comes up in an interview why you are not working at the firm full time after an internship just mention that you felt that you owed it to yourself to explore what was out there and what firm fits you best, because remember, these interviews should also be you interviewing the firms as well to see if you can stand spending countless hours with during busy season.

I had an internship at a mid size regional firm and HATED what I did. I kissed butt because I saw how much the partners made and just wanted to drive a Ferrari one day. The whole firm saw right through that and at the end of the internship said they were not extending an offer because they felt that I truly didn't fit the role as a “an accountant”. I now have an offer from a big 4 firm and will be starting in September. Keep your grades up, stay active, and you'll land other interviews. Also remember, the big 4 isn't the end all be all of being a CPA. Universities b schools get donations from these big 4 firms up to wahoo so professors feel compelled to push that big 4 is the mecca of accounting and if you work at PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG then you walk on water. Explore your options and START TO GO TO BED EARLIER.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

Lmaooooo Im coolin on a 76 on AUD and a 75 on BEC…. All these 97's and 99's got me jealous… JK More power to you all but credit is credit! Reg on the clock then time to retake FAR and start swimming the murky waters of the schedule c (see what I did there C ~ Sea) #TaxSharkInTraining

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

@jen-J please give me any advice as to how I should prepare to retake FAR. A 93?!?! I got a 63 so im just asking for a modest 12 point increase. Plan to begin studying Mid July after I take REG and sit early september.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

AUD
ME 1: 85
ME 2: 80
Actual: 76

FAR:
ME 1: 60
ME 2: 72
Actual: 63

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[NoWorriesMyAccountantHandlesThat]

I would also like to add as an initial disclaimer, if I fail BEC, which unfortunately seems a lot more likely than I thought when I first began this CPA exam journey, I would rather come home and study for that exam rather than FAR.

AUD - 76
BEC - 75
FAR - 77
REG - 81

"No need to worry, my accountant handles that" - The Notorious B.I.G.

[Author]

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