[MichaelScoon]

I don’t know what I want to do in life. I don’t have any accounting experience. I have an accounting degree from kind of a no-name school. All the accounting professors at my school, other CPAs I’ve talked to, and others have all told me to get a CPA license, take the exam, etc., etc. That it’s really worth it in the long run. So I’m taking AUD in 2 months.

I have the time to study, no expenses, and nothing else to do. Should I go for it and take the exam? Or should I quit now, apply for a job at McDonald’s, and move on with my life and forget about the CPA exam altogether?

[Anonymous]

You don't sound hungry enough.

[MichaelScoon]

ffs I shouldn't have even responded about it. Anyone that thinks they can tell crap about a person from 5 posts on some web forum is completely irrational.

EDIT: It's PASSABLE! NOT IMPASSABLE! Quit trying to make it seem it's impossible those who are.

[mla1169]

So Michael, you admit we can't tell crap about you but still seek our opinions? What do the opinions even matter based on very vague descriptions of your situation? Who exactly is being irrational?

Either you want opinions or you just want to be told what you want to hear. On a public message board, you are bound to get both. So yes everybody who takes the exam passes just because they think they can. There ya go.

Good luck with your exams.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Minimorty]

@michael –

You are actually right. The test is not impossible by any means. Its challenging, but that's about it. If you have a couple months to study audit, that is plenty of time to review the material and pass the exam. Its really not that tough.

That being said, you just seem very ambivalent about the whole thing. Yes, having a CPA license will definitely help your career. Considering you dont know what you want to do yet, I would just take and pass the exam and then start interviewing. After about 6 months with a firm you'll see if you like it or not. If you dont like it, move on to the next one. You'll find something you like sooner or later. The CPA designation will just help you move up the chain once you find something you like.

[MichaelScoon]

@Minimorty

Thanks. Yea, I'm pretty apathetic about the whole thing and life in general.

@mla1169

Yes, I came here for a consensus. I got it. Accountants are not psychoanalysts for a reason I've learned.

[Anonymous]

Take it … well … if u want to work in accounting … on of my professors says that the certificates are like lettuce.. having lettuce is better than not having any …

In reality it will boost you more than you think it will … at least give you respect among people, employers and your peers at work.

of course if you dont want a CPA you could always go for a CMA or a CFA … if ur up to it …

if u have a cpa, people will not ask you about your undergraduate school …. well they will … but it wont be as important…

Good luck 🙂

[MichaelScoon]

@aalkukhun

hehe that's funny about lettuce. Thank you for your info and encouragement. Good luck to you too. 🙂

[Anonymous]

My two cents – I was in a similar situation as you out of undergrad – I had a degree in economics and didn't really know what to do. Eventually, I found myself in corporate finance, where I quickly realized I needed a stronger accounting background. This was my motivation for the exam. Find your motivation and keep in mind it takes more than time to pass. As others have said this exam takes a great commitment. To borrow a quote from the New York football Giants, you need to be “ALL IN”

[Anonymous]

Haha MLA hit the nail on the head…this dude is just trying to get people to say what he wants to hear. On this forum, you will get a lot of honest answers, and sometimes a lot of sarcastic answers (depending on the question). When you come onto a CPA forum and convey a half-@ssed attitude towards the exam, people tend to get irritated because at the very minimum, we dedicated like 6 months of our lives to this exam, giving it everything we had; some people have been working at this exam for YEARS because of work/family/life constraints. Through this forum, I've come to know a lot of people in this community; I've seen what this exam can do to a person. It can ruin your friendships, your relationships, your body image…I've seen people who cry out of frustration, anger, and sadness when they receive a heart-breaking 74. I've seen this exam take everything in a person's life until they have nothing left, and then ask for more. That's why people are saying that you can do this if you're committed..it's not about being committed to studying…that's only about 40% of it. It's about being committed to giving everything you have and being able to get back up if you get knocked down. It's a little like that song, “Going through hell”. So if you do decide to go through with it, good luck! Keep us posted.

[Anonymous]

@MichaelScoon…I think you have your answer on your own post…should you go ahead and study for the CPA (which comes with air-condition) or forget about it and work for McDonald's? This is the type of life decision question only you can answer. Once you make the choice, everything else will seem clear.

[Minimorty]

Side note: McD's have air conditioning. You COULD just kill two birds with one stone. That way you dont have to make the tough decision!

[Anonymous]

Working at McDonald's is awesome. You get to eat there everyday for lunch if you want to. There's nothing better than making minimum wage and flipping burgers. Yup, don't take the CPA exam. Go for the job at McDonalds. You'll have the best life ever!!!

Seriously, if you are THAT determined to take the CPA exam, just do it. You don't have to seek advice from people here. Nobody knows what your calling in life is. Only you can decide that. if you enjoy studying for this test and confident that you will pass no matter what it takes, then definitely give it a shot. And I'm not kidding when I say “enjoy studying.” I enjoy it. It's stressful, I admit, but overall, I enjoy learning this stuff.

[MichaelScoon]

baseball and mla seem angry. STAY MAD AHAHAHA Thanks to the others for the encouragement, advice and information.

[mla1169]

Yes, apparently you are the psychoanalyst. LMAO. I am so very mad. Fuming actually, and not only will I stay that way I might even get MORE mad.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@BaseballCPA- You're so right about that 74 comment. Out of all the failing grades I've ever gotten, 74 is the hardest to get over. I'd rather the AICPA give me a lower grade. A grade of 74 is just very hard to swallow. But thankfully, I'm over it. It took a loooong time to get over, but I'm finally over it and I will pass next time. It is a lot of hard work, but knowing that it will all be worth it is more than enough to keep me going.

Again I say, it's all about determination because this is one exam that easy to just give up if you lack that.

[Author]

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