[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!

[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.

[jydotcom]

I'm 32, graduated with a BA in accounting in 2010 (yes, it took me quite awhile, switching from computer science, to econ, to finally accounting). I never worked for the big 4 and never plan to, although the experience would be great. I was “attempting” the exams in 2010, hopefully to pass all 4 before the changes, but that did not work. I really started studying late 2013. I'll be close to 80k, in CA, in about a year working 40 hours a week, flexible schedule, great work-life balance. Do I need the CPA where I work? Not really, I get my steady raises. Is it worth it? Yes, because you never know what opportunities might present itself in the future.

BEC - Passed!
AUD - ??
REG - ??
FAR - (July 2014)

Using Roger CPA Review, Wiley Test Bank, and NINJA Notes/Video/MCQ.

[jydotcom]

I'm 32, graduated with a BA in accounting in 2010 (yes, it took me quite awhile, switching from computer science, to econ, to finally accounting). I never worked for the big 4 and never plan to, although the experience would be great. I was “attempting” the exams in 2010, hopefully to pass all 4 before the changes, but that did not work. I really started studying late 2013. I'll be close to 80k, in CA, in about a year working 40 hours a week, flexible schedule, great work-life balance. Do I need the CPA where I work? Not really, I get my steady raises. Is it worth it? Yes, because you never know what opportunities might present itself in the future.

BEC - Passed!
AUD - ??
REG - ??
FAR - (July 2014)

Using Roger CPA Review, Wiley Test Bank, and NINJA Notes/Video/MCQ.

[Anonymous]

https://nasba.org/files/2014/02/2013-Overall.pdf

According to this article, the average age is 29…..When I saw this for the first time I couldn't believe it!! You have everything to be proud of!!

[Anonymous]

https://nasba.org/files/2014/02/2013-Overall.pdf

According to this article, the average age is 29…..When I saw this for the first time I couldn't believe it!! You have everything to be proud of!!

[StephAV]

I'm turning 32 in late July, really hoping to pass my last exam on 7/1 (note that I have 2 left)… There are plenty of people that get a later start. I graduated from college in '05 and I'm so much smarter now than I was then. I have to beleive that at least 75% of that is just maturity? Maybe 50%? There is just some practical knowledge that you have as an adult making your way in the world that you just don't have as a 22/23 year old who has never had a full time job.

CPAMommy, I'm so jealous of you finishing before your oldest starts kindergarten! I have major mommy guilt about my oldest's year of kindergarten that is wrapping up the end of this month. I was really looking forward to being more involved. 🙁 UGH! It WILL all be worth it though, I just know it. I'm determined now and that is one of my motivators. I want to spend some quality guilt free time with my kids, volunteer in their classes, go on vacation…

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

I'm turning 32 in late July, really hoping to pass my last exam on 7/1 (note that I have 2 left)… There are plenty of people that get a later start. I graduated from college in '05 and I'm so much smarter now than I was then. I have to beleive that at least 75% of that is just maturity? Maybe 50%? There is just some practical knowledge that you have as an adult making your way in the world that you just don't have as a 22/23 year old who has never had a full time job.

CPAMommy, I'm so jealous of you finishing before your oldest starts kindergarten! I have major mommy guilt about my oldest's year of kindergarten that is wrapping up the end of this month. I was really looking forward to being more involved. 🙁 UGH! It WILL all be worth it though, I just know it. I'm determined now and that is one of my motivators. I want to spend some quality guilt free time with my kids, volunteer in their classes, go on vacation…

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[michaelabs22]

I'm similar to Jydotcom – 29 years old, I took time off, graduated with my BS in 2010 and MSA in late 2011, did 2 years in public, decided to finally step up and get my CPA done after the masters program. I currently work 40hours in a school as a CFO with great pay, benefit package and work/life balance. I don't plan on ever going back to public, and I don't even technically have my CPA yet ! (hopefully awarded at the 5/20 board meeting)

A - 10/28/12 - Passed!!!
B - 11/20/12 - Passed!!!
F - 11/12/13 - Passed!!!
R - 02/01/13 - Passed!!!

Work Experience - Done!
Ethics Exam - Boom! Done!

RI Licensed CPA.

[michaelabs22]

I'm similar to Jydotcom – 29 years old, I took time off, graduated with my BS in 2010 and MSA in late 2011, did 2 years in public, decided to finally step up and get my CPA done after the masters program. I currently work 40hours in a school as a CFO with great pay, benefit package and work/life balance. I don't plan on ever going back to public, and I don't even technically have my CPA yet ! (hopefully awarded at the 5/20 board meeting)

A - 10/28/12 - Passed!!!
B - 11/20/12 - Passed!!!
F - 11/12/13 - Passed!!!
R - 02/01/13 - Passed!!!

Work Experience - Done!
Ethics Exam - Boom! Done!

RI Licensed CPA.

[Fil-Am]

michaelabs22 – It's great to see that you're in a CFO position. I also work for a school district – as an accountant. My current boss has been a director for 8 years and she started here when she was 31. My goal is to be in a finance director/CFO position, maybe in a different district as I don't think so my boss will leave her job anytime soon, lol. Any tips or advice? I just started my career in school district last 2011. This is my 3rd year being in the school system and still thirsty and hungry for more knowledge. 🙂

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]

michaelabs22 – It's great to see that you're in a CFO position. I also work for a school district – as an accountant. My current boss has been a director for 8 years and she started here when she was 31. My goal is to be in a finance director/CFO position, maybe in a different district as I don't think so my boss will leave her job anytime soon, lol. Any tips or advice? I just started my career in school district last 2011. This is my 3rd year being in the school system and still thirsty and hungry for more knowledge. 🙂

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!

[riceperson]

@10key congrats on the new gig!

…

This might not be saying much since I'm not 30 yet but I had this fear that I was “not on target” in my accounting career since I didn't have the CPA by 25. Well 2 years later, and three years late from my original plan of passing starting/passing it at 24, I still get that anxiety. In reality, life gets in the way there is no such thing as too late.

A friend told me a quote by some philosopher I forgot who that said “the best time to do this was when you were younger and the second best time to do it is today.

So keep at it, throw that anxiety under the rug and pass this test with style in your 30s.

FAR 69, 83
AUD 85
BEC 80
REG 82
FINISHED

[riceperson]

@10key congrats on the new gig!

…

This might not be saying much since I'm not 30 yet but I had this fear that I was “not on target” in my accounting career since I didn't have the CPA by 25. Well 2 years later, and three years late from my original plan of passing starting/passing it at 24, I still get that anxiety. In reality, life gets in the way there is no such thing as too late.

A friend told me a quote by some philosopher I forgot who that said “the best time to do this was when you were younger and the second best time to do it is today.

So keep at it, throw that anxiety under the rug and pass this test with style in your 30s.

FAR 69, 83
AUD 85
BEC 80
REG 82
FINISHED

[Author]

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