[SoLost]

Hey everyone,

I had posted here in the past with my struggles at passing my exams. It took me a ridiculously 10 tries total to passed everything over the course of 1.5 years. It was thanks to everyone’s encouragement here that I finally got through it. With that being over, I thought my problems were gone… but I was wrong. I am now struggling with my jobs. I got laid off twice. Once with a big four (tax) and once with a local firm (audit). I realized that I totally sucked with accounting. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. I double checked, triple checked, quad-triple checked my work, but I still get things wrong. What’s messed up was that I got laid off by my second job one month before I can meet my work experience to apply for the CPA license. I am in a position that I am afraid to apply for another accounting job. I really don’t know what to do at this very moment. I am currently living with my gf and we are both unemployed, so finding a job is critical. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

@SoLost — Ok, so I promise I'm not trying to start drama here, but regardless of whether the “Drama Ninja” finds my post inappropriate, I feel like I should say my piece. First, I'm sorry, but it sounds like at least TO ME, that you're not cut out for accounting…let me clarify…I promise that I'm not implying that you are not intelligent, it just doesn't sound like accounting is your “bag”, so-to-speak. So my advice to you in the LONG RUN would be to find a job unrelated to accounting, however, in the short run, I think you should do whatever possible to support you and your girlfriend. I hope you find something that makes you happy, OP…life can be hard enough without a job that makes you miserable. Good luck!!

Sidenote: I say find one more accounting-related job so you can obtain your CPA license…regardless of the fact that you will probably not work in accounting long term, you still busted your ass for that certification and you should obtain it! Please keep us posted! We're rooting for you!

[KasiaS]

I agree with Mini – I don't think he ever crossed the line but then again I'm about as sarcastic as it gets in real life. When it comes to the CPA, sometimes you need a little tough love. That's why I think a “Relax, It's Just Sarcasm Ninja” would be appropriate.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[KasiaS]

I agree with Mini – I don't think he ever crossed the line but then again I'm about as sarcastic as it gets in real life. When it comes to the CPA, sometimes you need a little tough love. That's why I think a “Relax, It's Just Sarcasm Ninja” would be appropriate.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[porschify]

@SoLost I think that maybe your not cut out for accounting not because you got laid off or make mistakes in your work…everyone makes mistakes and there is noone that will do everything correctly all the time in any profession. I dont think your cut out for accounting, because of this statement “I realized that I totally sucked with accounting. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either.” Accounting is a very general term, with lots of aspects with it. If you think you “suck” at accounting, then that tells me that you dont do well with any of its aspects. Find an aspect of accounting that you enjoy, do it and do it well. Very few people are experts in every area of accounting, you just have to find what aspect you enjoy and build on it.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[porschify]

@SoLost I think that maybe your not cut out for accounting not because you got laid off or make mistakes in your work…everyone makes mistakes and there is noone that will do everything correctly all the time in any profession. I dont think your cut out for accounting, because of this statement “I realized that I totally sucked with accounting. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either.” Accounting is a very general term, with lots of aspects with it. If you think you “suck” at accounting, then that tells me that you dont do well with any of its aspects. Find an aspect of accounting that you enjoy, do it and do it well. Very few people are experts in every area of accounting, you just have to find what aspect you enjoy and build on it.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Anonymous]

@ Solost…sorry about the your story. For some reasons, I understand you regarding your no-so-good skills with accounting. I have the same problems as you have as well. I don't know why it seems impossible for me to submit a book without errors. While someone takes half day to finish, it usually will take me a whole day 'cause I have to check back and forth to ensure everything is correct. And I always find mistake. Fortunately, the bookkeeping/accounting part is not my major duties. I think you, like me, might be good at analysis skills where do not require up-to-the-cent accuracy. For whatever reason, just don't give up until you get your CPA license. After that, you might consider going on your own, which is what I am eventually heading to.

[Anonymous]

@ Solost…sorry about the your story. For some reasons, I understand you regarding your no-so-good skills with accounting. I have the same problems as you have as well. I don't know why it seems impossible for me to submit a book without errors. While someone takes half day to finish, it usually will take me a whole day 'cause I have to check back and forth to ensure everything is correct. And I always find mistake. Fortunately, the bookkeeping/accounting part is not my major duties. I think you, like me, might be good at analysis skills where do not require up-to-the-cent accuracy. For whatever reason, just don't give up until you get your CPA license. After that, you might consider going on your own, which is what I am eventually heading to.

[Mitzie7]

I totally understand where you are coming from SoLost. I work at a large CPA firm and I keep making mistakes or not catching mistakes. For awhile my supervisor was saying – “That's alright, next year will be better because you will have done it already.” I notice that she doesn't say that anymore. Every day that I go to work my stomach hurts because I think I am going to get fired. I am supporting a large family and I really need this job. I just keep hoping that I can make it long enough to get in the experience requirement. I was an accountant at a manufacturing firm for almost 10 years before starting in public accounting but I feel like an idiot whenever I go to work. At my last job my boss thought I was terrific and smart. No one thinks that at my current job. I think I am better suited to working in a business than public accounting.

You are so close to getting your CPA, you should keep going. When you have those three little letters by your name you will be able to branch out and look at other jobs to see if something else suits you better.

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[Mitzie7]

I totally understand where you are coming from SoLost. I work at a large CPA firm and I keep making mistakes or not catching mistakes. For awhile my supervisor was saying – “That's alright, next year will be better because you will have done it already.” I notice that she doesn't say that anymore. Every day that I go to work my stomach hurts because I think I am going to get fired. I am supporting a large family and I really need this job. I just keep hoping that I can make it long enough to get in the experience requirement. I was an accountant at a manufacturing firm for almost 10 years before starting in public accounting but I feel like an idiot whenever I go to work. At my last job my boss thought I was terrific and smart. No one thinks that at my current job. I think I am better suited to working in a business than public accounting.

You are so close to getting your CPA, you should keep going. When you have those three little letters by your name you will be able to branch out and look at other jobs to see if something else suits you better.

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[mla1169]

Here's my motherly advice. Make sure you finish the experience requirement at least, you're too close not to.

After that, do you like accounting or do you just feel at this point that you “should” do it? Life is too short to be miserable if you were. If you actually like it, fight for it and study for your job on your own time until its second nature.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Here's my motherly advice. Make sure you finish the experience requirement at least, you're too close not to.

After that, do you like accounting or do you just feel at this point that you “should” do it? Life is too short to be miserable if you were. If you actually like it, fight for it and study for your job on your own time until its second nature.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[SoLost]

Thanks for not sugar coating it. That is EXACTLY what I was afraid of, not cut out to be an accountant. I am still trying to not accept that yet, because it would mean that everything that I had ever studied for was a waste. Maybe a mistake?

Mitzie7 – You are describing exactly how I felt for my previous two jobs. I was so afraid of checking my emails in the morning, because it would be nothing but emails telling me that I made a mistake here and there, please correct this and that. You have a much bigger load on your shoulders, so I cant imagine how much worst you would feel. I was seriously afraid of going to work, because I didn't want to get yelled at. I actually felt kind of relief after getting fired from a big four, because that fear of going to work was gone. But for my second job, the people were really nice so I felt like I let them down big times.

A little update. My friend works for a video game company, and they are currently hiring for their accounting department. I think this might be a good chance for me. I love video games, so that might make everything more…..enjoyable? With everyone's advice, I will most certainly finish up my work experience at all cost in getting that CPA then see where that will lead me. Thanks again!

[SoLost]

Thanks for not sugar coating it. That is EXACTLY what I was afraid of, not cut out to be an accountant. I am still trying to not accept that yet, because it would mean that everything that I had ever studied for was a waste. Maybe a mistake?

Mitzie7 – You are describing exactly how I felt for my previous two jobs. I was so afraid of checking my emails in the morning, because it would be nothing but emails telling me that I made a mistake here and there, please correct this and that. You have a much bigger load on your shoulders, so I cant imagine how much worst you would feel. I was seriously afraid of going to work, because I didn't want to get yelled at. I actually felt kind of relief after getting fired from a big four, because that fear of going to work was gone. But for my second job, the people were really nice so I felt like I let them down big times.

A little update. My friend works for a video game company, and they are currently hiring for their accounting department. I think this might be a good chance for me. I love video games, so that might make everything more…..enjoyable? With everyone's advice, I will most certainly finish up my work experience at all cost in getting that CPA then see where that will lead me. Thanks again!

[ROACH]

SoLost, which video game company? Here in LA, Square-Enix is hiring for an entry-level position.

I was gonna apply… as long as the pay is right I'll take it in a heart beat. I love video games too.

I did some research for Square-Enix too and it looks like its corporate structure is pretty large… its kinda intimidating tbh…

that's why I haven't really applied. Plus I wanted to get at least 2 exams finished so i'll have something to talk about.

But generally entry-level positions for private industries are roughly $15 or so… can't really live off that know what I mean.

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[ROACH]

SoLost, which video game company? Here in LA, Square-Enix is hiring for an entry-level position.

I was gonna apply… as long as the pay is right I'll take it in a heart beat. I love video games too.

I did some research for Square-Enix too and it looks like its corporate structure is pretty large… its kinda intimidating tbh…

that's why I haven't really applied. Plus I wanted to get at least 2 exams finished so i'll have something to talk about.

But generally entry-level positions for private industries are roughly $15 or so… can't really live off that know what I mean.

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[Author]

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