[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!

[zieba]

Self pity. 32, accounting position passed four sections just recently (one expired, but still). DID NOT graduate with MSTax, DID NOT pay attention accounting classes in school. literally started in 2012 with a review of dr/cr system…. HTFU get to it baby!

After CPA? ABV and CFE certs…

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

Self pity. 32, accounting position passed four sections just recently (one expired, but still). DID NOT graduate with MSTax, DID NOT pay attention accounting classes in school. literally started in 2012 with a review of dr/cr system…. HTFU get to it baby!

After CPA? ABV and CFE certs…

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[UHC2005]

31 here. Planning on going CPA ->CMA(CGMA) ->CIA possibly. My kids are young (4&2), so I'm still not sure that I want to commit to the travel requirements that IA might require.

Using Ninja MCQ, NINJA Notes, Audio, Flashcards and BLITZ, and 2014 Wiley Text

FAR - (61,63)
AUD - (68)

Keep Calm and RTMFQ

Accountant, what is best in life? To crush your MCQs, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their SIMS!

[UHC2005]

31 here. Planning on going CPA ->CMA(CGMA) ->CIA possibly. My kids are young (4&2), so I'm still not sure that I want to commit to the travel requirements that IA might require.

Using Ninja MCQ, NINJA Notes, Audio, Flashcards and BLITZ, and 2014 Wiley Text

FAR - (61,63)
AUD - (68)

Keep Calm and RTMFQ

Accountant, what is best in life? To crush your MCQs, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their SIMS!

[Anonymous]

I am very similar to many of you. Got my MBA in 2009 @ 31. Hopefully will finish my CPA by August. Work in a small accounting firm where I get exposure to alot of different areas of accounting. If you look at your career, or life for that matter, retrospectively you will never progress anywhere. Instead of thinking about what you haven't done, focus on what you're going to do.

[Anonymous]

I am very similar to many of you. Got my MBA in 2009 @ 31. Hopefully will finish my CPA by August. Work in a small accounting firm where I get exposure to alot of different areas of accounting. If you look at your career, or life for that matter, retrospectively you will never progress anywhere. Instead of thinking about what you haven't done, focus on what you're going to do.

[Anonymous]

I am very similar to many of you. Got my MBA in 2009 @ 31. Hopefully will finish my CPA by August. Work in a small accounting firm where I get exposure to alot of different areas of accounting. If you look at your career, or life for that matter, retrospectively you will never progress anywhere. Instead of thinking about what you haven't done, focus on what you're going to do.

[Anonymous]

I am very similar to many of you. Got my MBA in 2009 @ 31. Hopefully will finish my CPA by August. Work in a small accounting firm where I get exposure to alot of different areas of accounting. If you look at your career, or life for that matter, retrospectively you will never progress anywhere. Instead of thinking about what you haven't done, focus on what you're going to do.

[mrogovitz]

32 here. I passed my final section of the CPA exam just a few short weeks before my 32nd birthday. I started out at a Big 4 and left after a year. That was three years ago. When I started a job about a year after leaving the Big 4 my company offered to pay for the CPA study courses and exam so I took advantage of that even though it did not pertain to my job at the time. I think a lot of management level employees see it as an opportunity to move up regardless of your position so they'll invest in you.

When I was at Big 4, I knew of one person in his late 30s to early 40s who started as a senior. To me it's just a mind-set. You'll be older than almost all the associates and sr. associates, but do you really care? The other thing to consider is going into the advisory side of things at a Big 4 as opposed to audit or tax. Perhaps you're better qualified for a higher level position.

There are a lot of variables to consider, so just take some time to think about what you want – but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Good luck!

AUD: Attempt 1: 60; Attempt 2: 78
BEC: Attempt 1: 75 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 80
FAR: Attempt 1: 74; Attempt 2: 74; Attempt 3: 78
REG: Attempt 1: 76 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 68; Attempt 3: 80

Finished 11/01/2013!!!

[mrogovitz]

32 here. I passed my final section of the CPA exam just a few short weeks before my 32nd birthday. I started out at a Big 4 and left after a year. That was three years ago. When I started a job about a year after leaving the Big 4 my company offered to pay for the CPA study courses and exam so I took advantage of that even though it did not pertain to my job at the time. I think a lot of management level employees see it as an opportunity to move up regardless of your position so they'll invest in you.

When I was at Big 4, I knew of one person in his late 30s to early 40s who started as a senior. To me it's just a mind-set. You'll be older than almost all the associates and sr. associates, but do you really care? The other thing to consider is going into the advisory side of things at a Big 4 as opposed to audit or tax. Perhaps you're better qualified for a higher level position.

There are a lot of variables to consider, so just take some time to think about what you want – but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Good luck!

AUD: Attempt 1: 60; Attempt 2: 78
BEC: Attempt 1: 75 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 80
FAR: Attempt 1: 74; Attempt 2: 74; Attempt 3: 78
REG: Attempt 1: 76 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 68; Attempt 3: 80

Finished 11/01/2013!!!

[Fil-Am]

Waaaa..I'm 30 and sitting for the CPA exam this year. Hopefully, I'll pass the exams this year with God's grace and help I don't have an MBA, only BS earned outside the US. I also have a 5-year old son. I work for a school district and not making much to what I considered comfortable. I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a CPA with a hope that it will help us financially and more in future. I am grateful and happy that I have a job. I worked for a city government in my country of origin and still ends up in government here in the US.

Just like everyone else, I am not sure if I want to join the Big4 as I am not sure I am willing to travel a lot yet . Yes, I want a good paying job so I can give my little man a better life. I'll cross that bridge maybe once I pass and have my CPA license. God bless and good luck everyone.

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Fil-Am]

Waaaa..I'm 30 and sitting for the CPA exam this year. Hopefully, I'll pass the exams this year with God's grace and help I don't have an MBA, only BS earned outside the US. I also have a 5-year old son. I work for a school district and not making much to what I considered comfortable. I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a CPA with a hope that it will help us financially and more in future. I am grateful and happy that I have a job. I worked for a city government in my country of origin and still ends up in government here in the US.

Just like everyone else, I am not sure if I want to join the Big4 as I am not sure I am willing to travel a lot yet . Yes, I want a good paying job so I can give my little man a better life. I'll cross that bridge maybe once I pass and have my CPA license. God bless and good luck everyone.

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Anonymous]

Graduated from college in 1988. Passed the exam and was certified last year. I am 52.

[Anonymous]

Graduated from college in 1988. Passed the exam and was certified last year. I am 52.

[rfc63]

32? That's not bad–I'm 31 and just passed all four and got my first job in accounting at a smaller firm. You probably don't want the Big 4 at your age. My sense is that they want young single pups right out of college with no perspective to be cogs in a machine. Once the cogs are worn, they'll find new pups.

Once you get a good grasp of accounting, I think the best bet is to go be your own rainmaker and look for a hybrid position that involves more than just doing taxes or audits. Be a value-add proposition and valuable resource for clients and you will get paid accordingly.

[Author]

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