[outrenthome]

How much can one have missed by graduating with a master of science in taxation at 31 and passing the last CPA exam at 32?

Missed all chances to make it in Big 4?

Missed all chances to potentially make 6-figure income?

Missed all chances to earn valuable experience?

Or is it all just self-pity?

Are you or do you know anybody getting certified in their 30s? Please share your experience!

[mla1169]

Self pity. Got my bachelors at 39, and my masters AND CPA when I was 42. Never worked for big 4, never cared to. But I've heard of dinosaurs my age getting hired.

And I don't make six figures but I only work 40 hours less than a mile from home. I am a coupon Queen for 10 or so hours a week and have no complaints about our lifestyle.

Go. study, young'in.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Self pity. Got my bachelors at 39, and my masters AND CPA when I was 42. Never worked for big 4, never cared to. But I've heard of dinosaurs my age getting hired.

And I don't make six figures but I only work 40 hours less than a mile from home. I am a coupon Queen for 10 or so hours a week and have no complaints about our lifestyle.

Go. study, young'in.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Anonymous]

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

[klink24]

I'm 34 and will get my CPA this year. I got my MBA in 2009 when I was 29. I have an excellent job right now in industry, but my CPA designation will carry no weight in my current position. However, when I rise up through the ranks (either here or elsewhere), the CPA designation will be most valuable. CFO, Controllers, Executive VPs, etc. all have CPAs in my company and I know all of them are in the 6 figure range. My advantage, I have an MBA where none of them do.

I must admit though, I've been interested in possibly going Big 4, just not sure where I'd fit in. Going in at entry level will require me accepting a salary half of what I make now. Won't do that. I don't have the experience to go in at Senior or something.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

I'm 34 and will get my CPA this year. I got my MBA in 2009 when I was 29. I have an excellent job right now in industry, but my CPA designation will carry no weight in my current position. However, when I rise up through the ranks (either here or elsewhere), the CPA designation will be most valuable. CFO, Controllers, Executive VPs, etc. all have CPAs in my company and I know all of them are in the 6 figure range. My advantage, I have an MBA where none of them do.

I must admit though, I've been interested in possibly going Big 4, just not sure where I'd fit in. Going in at entry level will require me accepting a salary half of what I make now. Won't do that. I don't have the experience to go in at Senior or something.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[zumbasweety]

@nclynch, I think you and I must be twins. I too was 29 when I got my MBA, but that was in 2008 and I was 7 months pregnant. 🙂 I am 34 today, but will be 35 tomorrow, so we're a little off in that area. I have a great job at a University, but the CPA is just a personal goal of mine. I too would be the only one with an MBA and CPA.

Our big difference? I have NO interest in going Big 4. I work 40 hours a week, leave at 5 no matter the time of year or the time of month. I have a lunch break and take 2 walk breaks a day. I have a 5 year old and a 9 year old and I don't miss any of their activities. At this point in my life, I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. Now, in a few years when they're teenagers and they hate me and I'm stupid, yes I may take a job to be away from home more. 😉

FAR 82
REG 76
BEC 71, 78 (There is a light!!!)
AUD 69, 83 (DONE!!!!)

[zumbasweety]

@nclynch, I think you and I must be twins. I too was 29 when I got my MBA, but that was in 2008 and I was 7 months pregnant. 🙂 I am 34 today, but will be 35 tomorrow, so we're a little off in that area. I have a great job at a University, but the CPA is just a personal goal of mine. I too would be the only one with an MBA and CPA.

Our big difference? I have NO interest in going Big 4. I work 40 hours a week, leave at 5 no matter the time of year or the time of month. I have a lunch break and take 2 walk breaks a day. I have a 5 year old and a 9 year old and I don't miss any of their activities. At this point in my life, I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. Now, in a few years when they're teenagers and they hate me and I'm stupid, yes I may take a job to be away from home more. 😉

FAR 82
REG 76
BEC 71, 78 (There is a light!!!)
AUD 69, 83 (DONE!!!!)

[klink24]

@zumbasweety, I too have a 5 year old and 9 year old (daughter and son, respectively)!! Wow, so much alike, it's scary! No worries about a pregnancy here though (male). My current job is 8-5 and I don't miss anything either, at least not until I started taking the accounting courses and studying for these exams. You have an excellent point though. My only aspiration for Big 4 was experience and future career opportunities. I really just want to get into a general accounting role to utilize my CPA. Just need to find the position that won't result in a decline in salary.

Happy early birthday by the way!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

@zumbasweety, I too have a 5 year old and 9 year old (daughter and son, respectively)!! Wow, so much alike, it's scary! No worries about a pregnancy here though (male). My current job is 8-5 and I don't miss anything either, at least not until I started taking the accounting courses and studying for these exams. You have an excellent point though. My only aspiration for Big 4 was experience and future career opportunities. I really just want to get into a general accounting role to utilize my CPA. Just need to find the position that won't result in a decline in salary.

Happy early birthday by the way!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[zumbasweety]

Oh too weird. My daughter is 5 and son is 9. Okay, this is freaky!

I agree with the aspiration and future career opportunities of the Big 4. It's definitely a great goal to have.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm still young enough to love birthdays. 🙂 Good luck on Audit! It got me, but I didn't have the discipline studying for it as I did studying for FAR & REG. Utilize the AL; it's a huge help!

FAR 82
REG 76
BEC 71, 78 (There is a light!!!)
AUD 69, 83 (DONE!!!!)

[zumbasweety]

Oh too weird. My daughter is 5 and son is 9. Okay, this is freaky!

I agree with the aspiration and future career opportunities of the Big 4. It's definitely a great goal to have.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm still young enough to love birthdays. 🙂 Good luck on Audit! It got me, but I didn't have the discipline studying for it as I did studying for FAR & REG. Utilize the AL; it's a huge help!

FAR 82
REG 76
BEC 71, 78 (There is a light!!!)
AUD 69, 83 (DONE!!!!)

[Java230]

I think a lot of folks are over 30, I don't understand why you missed anything? Improve your spirits! You can still work for the Big 4, if that something you are into. That is not my goal in life. I am an auditor though, fairly high up in my corp, switched to auditing after a doing medical research (studied cell to cell communications). I was great at medicine but I enjoy accounting way more, I love LOVE accounting! So many of my co-workers are in the same boat, switch careers, you have to try new things until you are happy, a lot of people don't figure that out until, well retirement. It is all fair game as long as you have passion.

Licensed WA CPA 2/2015
Government Auditor Since 2007

[Java230]

I think a lot of folks are over 30, I don't understand why you missed anything? Improve your spirits! You can still work for the Big 4, if that something you are into. That is not my goal in life. I am an auditor though, fairly high up in my corp, switched to auditing after a doing medical research (studied cell to cell communications). I was great at medicine but I enjoy accounting way more, I love LOVE accounting! So many of my co-workers are in the same boat, switch careers, you have to try new things until you are happy, a lot of people don't figure that out until, well retirement. It is all fair game as long as you have passion.

Licensed WA CPA 2/2015
Government Auditor Since 2007

[Anonymous]

I'm with those guys. 34 with an MBA and hopefully CPA this year, working in industry. I manage an accounting department and will be able to get a Controller position after I get the CPA, then who knows…CFO, VP of something. Right now I'm just focusing on finishing this thing before my oldest starts kindergarten in August so I can be involved in all my kids education and after school activities. I wouldn't be mad at a 6 figure salary, but I am not going to miss out on everything just to achieve it. I've done that while trying to get the CPA, but my kids are young. Point is that you are the one that controls where you go from here. You have the credentials to go places and 32 is the new 22 anyways. 🙂

[Author]

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