[Anonymous]

I just started working for one of the big4s. My problem is I am having a tough time making ends meet financially. I have already trimmed my spending by packing lunch, eating out less (I eat ramen noodles and eggs for dinner several times a week), and getting a lower cellphone plan. The extra expenses of gas and parking fees are taking a toll. I don’t have any unnecessary monthly spendings (car payment, insurance, utilities, and rent). For the past month, I have spent over $400 on gas and parking alone. I still have not factored my student loan payments that are about to start pretty soon. I am netting less than my previous job in which I get paid hourly, and I am getting taxed way more :(. I knew that I was only taking a small pay cut when I took the job, but I did not expect the extra costs that are not reimbursed. I wanted to get a part time job, but it will be a problem once busy season kicks in, and I am still studying for the CPA exam. Any tips on earning and saving more money?

[Study Monk]

Look into online sites that help find people that car pool in your area. If your an auditor that drives everywhere this may not apply.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

Look into online sites that help find people that car pool in your area. If your an auditor that drives everywhere this may not apply.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[ruggercpa2b]

Dragonfruit1212 are you in audit? Have you asked the firm if they reimburse you for travel that you have to do other than going to your normal office? I am surprised that a Big 4 firm would not reimburse you for mileage. When I go to one of our offices I get reimbursed for it because its not my normal office that I work out of. I agree with Study Monk about finding a car pool. I know everyone wants to work for the Big 4s but when you can barely make ends meet is it really worth it?

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[ruggercpa2b]

Dragonfruit1212 are you in audit? Have you asked the firm if they reimburse you for travel that you have to do other than going to your normal office? I am surprised that a Big 4 firm would not reimburse you for mileage. When I go to one of our offices I get reimbursed for it because its not my normal office that I work out of. I agree with Study Monk about finding a car pool. I know everyone wants to work for the Big 4s but when you can barely make ends meet is it really worth it?

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

RuggerCPA, yes they reimburse, the problem is, my engagement is only a couple miles more than my office travel. The travel reimbursement pretty much just pays for one lunch a week. Parking is not reimbursed when we work in the main office. I do sit in traffic everyday asking myself if it's worth it. I know that I can make things easier by switching to private, but then it would look so bad in my resume to jump ship after a couple months.

Studymonk, that's a great idea…I hope that I'll find someone that will also have the same schedule as me.

[Anonymous]

RuggerCPA, yes they reimburse, the problem is, my engagement is only a couple miles more than my office travel. The travel reimbursement pretty much just pays for one lunch a week. Parking is not reimbursed when we work in the main office. I do sit in traffic everyday asking myself if it's worth it. I know that I can make things easier by switching to private, but then it would look so bad in my resume to jump ship after a couple months.

Studymonk, that's a great idea…I hope that I'll find someone that will also have the same schedule as me.

[Anonymous]

Well I think the above suggestions are good. One other suggestion is do you have anything to sell that you can possible sell on Ebay? It does take some work but you can avoid getting a second job and having that additional commitment.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Well I think the above suggestions are good. One other suggestion is do you have anything to sell that you can possible sell on Ebay? It does take some work but you can avoid getting a second job and having that additional commitment.

Good luck!

[acamp]

How much is the car payment? Whats the balance on the note?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

How much is the car payment? Whats the balance on the note?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[LSNYC]

You have to pay to park at the office or at the client? If its pay at the client i would think that was reimbursed. If its at the office maybe you can see if there is someone else who just started that would like to carpool and split the cost to park with you.

I am assuming public transit is not an option?

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[LSNYC]

You have to pay to park at the office or at the client? If its pay at the client i would think that was reimbursed. If its at the office maybe you can see if there is someone else who just started that would like to carpool and split the cost to park with you.

I am assuming public transit is not an option?

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[SeattleAccountant]

Surprised that cellphone and parking fees & tolls are not reimbursed!!!

Please make double check that with the company just to make sure that it is the case.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[SeattleAccountant]

Surprised that cellphone and parking fees & tolls are not reimbursed!!!

Please make double check that with the company just to make sure that it is the case.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Anonymous]

Seattleaccountant: Cellphone is my personal phone, and I also have a work phone. Parking fees are not reimbursed when it is at the main office. The client's parking is free, but I was needed more at the main office. I wish I can split parking with someone, but then, I don't know anyone that has the same schedule as me that lives along my route to the office.

CPAEP: I'll be selling my textbooks on Amazon, and looks like I will be gaining a tank of gas when it's all sold (sucks that new editions come out each year, making textbooks become worthless after a year). I don't really have anything to sell on Ebay.

LSNYC: Public transportation is not an option because they want you to be able to drive to a client on a short notice.

[Author]

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