[kahtwoloo]

I graduated in May 2012. I’m basically going the ‘pass the tests’ then start working route. I started studying this time of the year exactly two years ago and I only have one part done. I just might not be smart enough for this test. I failed AUD today with a 70 and I’m not sure going ahead and sticking with it is the best route. I don’t have any money, I’m starting to burden my family because I have to borrow from them to pay for the fees, they’re disappointed that I failed and I don’t want to bother asking for their help. My credit card is maxed. I can’t find a job because there’s 20+ people applying for every job that opens and I’m way past being a ‘recent grad’. I still live at home and I don’t get along with my mom at all. It’s actually so bad that I go to bed at 6-7am and wake up at 2-3 specifically so I can avoid seeing her. So all that considered I was thinking about joining either the navy or air force. Would it be worth it to go in?

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[mla1169]

As a parent I'd like to encourage you to get a job. I know its HARD, anything in life worth having is HARD. First and foremost, getting any job is going to help you find the right job when you're done with the exams. An employer is going to see a 2-3 year gap in employment (actually sounds like you might not have ever had a full time job at all?) and hold it against you. Second, moving out of moms with maxed out credit cards and figuring you'll try for welfare? Not sure how you expect to surive on welfare AND be paying your debt but that's a recipe for bankruptcy. Many employers do credit checks and I'm sorry to say “I took 2 years off to study for CPA and went on welfare” just won't cut it as an explanation for negative credit history.

I'm NOT trying to give you a hard time, but trying to prevent you from kicking yourself in the butt a few years from now when you want a good job, car, and place of your own to live. You're setting yourself up for many years of struggle by taking the path of least resistance right now.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I did a 4 year tour in the military and it's just what I needed to whip my ass into shape. I didn't have a clue what I wanted out of life when I went in and I came out with clear direction and beeming with confidence. You are still young, you can put in a 6 year tour as an officer (good money) and still have a career in accounting if that is what you want to do.

[tomq04]

Air force and coast guard! Get your self together!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[kahtwoloo]

@mla1169 I'm living expense free right now so I'd be using the welfare to pay for the exams and more study materials. I really wish I could “just get a job”. I've been looking actively since around April last year and the only thing I've been able to land was a two months temp job from July-Sept last year. I had around 20 interviews before that and I've some 30-40 since. I'm not sure if it's my interviewing, or the market, or what but I don't have a job.

@ClosestPointofApproach How old were you when you went in? I was going to go Marines when I was 17, the only stopping me was my mom because she wouldn't let me sign. I didn't find out I had college pretty much paid for until I graduated high school, so I'm pretty sure being a CPA is what I want. I've been working at this for close to 8 years and I don't want to throw out another 6.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[kahtwoloo]

@tomq04 What kind of time am I looking?

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[mla1169]

Sorry Kat, but I;'m going to be brutally honest. If you haven't gotten a job, you haven't been trying hard enough. When I lost my job on Jan 31, I got out 8 resumes PER DAY, EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS. That was 400+ resumes total. I had over 40 interviews. Yes, 40. I received a job offer on 3/21 and began my job on 3/31. 50+ interviews over 2 years time is childs play, I did that in 6 weeks.

And living expense free doesn't last long. You're seriously going to take welfare that everyone here pays into to pay for your exams and materials? SMH. If you have no expenses to justify it, why should you receive it?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[tomq04]

^ this

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[kahtwoloo]

How were you sending out resumes (in person, online, etc)? I've gotten good feedback on my interviews and I've had second rounds. I actually got a job when I first started applying, but the company was sort of shady so I quit the first day. And not trying to attack your job hunting skills, but it sounds like you got a job that was similar to your last job, meaning you have experience. I have none, which brings me back to my problem. I apply for basically any accounting job, AR/AP, bookkeeper, clerk, assistant, etc. At the interview I tell them I'm studying for the CPA exam and they give me “well you're just going to take off when you pass the exam” line. If I DON'T mention that I'm studying I have a massive gap with nothing to show. Not to mention I probably won't even get called back if I leave it off the resume. So do I not have a chance at public accounting at this point? Unemployment in my metro area is still above national average, not really sure if that affects anything.

A couple other questions I forgot to answer, I go to the gym regularly, no I haven't had a full time job except for my two months temp job last year, I've worked part time jobs since my sr. year in high school.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[mla1169]

Again, if you're not getting out 8 resumes per day every day, you're not trying.

I got out resumes mostly online. The job I have now is not even CLOSE to what I was doing (was a controller, now basically a financial analyst). I applied to anything and everything on craigslist, indeed.com, linkedin, and sent out cold resumes to local firms that I was interested in working for. And ok you have no experience and that hurts. I'm OLD and that works against me, just means I had to throw more mud against the wall than other people do. If telling them you're studying is a sticking point, then DON'T TELL THEM. The gap works against you but just means you have to try harder.

Its not going to be any easier for you to find a job once you pass the exams. You will still need the experience to get your license and someone with no experience who's passed all 4 exams isn't much more marketable than someone with no experience who hasn't taken the exams.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kahtwoloo]

I'm sorry but I was under the impression that a controller is pretty high up in the accounting field. I'd image it gives you a huge foot up over others that are applying for a somewhat entry level position? I apply for every position that I'm ‘qualified' for and not qualified for on Craigslist, monster, indeed, etc. I can't just send resumes to postings that don't exist and I've sent some 650+. Yeah I can start using LinkedIn or cold approaching but I'm not even sure where to start. Researching that was actually on my list of thing to do.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[Lindrobe]

mla1169, I think you need to take location into consideration when you talk about sending out 8+ resumes per day. I live in a smaller town and I think I would be lucky to find 8 positions to apply for in a MONTH. In bigger cities, yea — 8+ is probably not unreasonable.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[tomq04]

Apply everywhere, no reason to not move, at least in this guys case.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[kahtwoloo]

Well how do I move without money? From what I hear the economy in my nearest metro area to my city (5 hours away) are also pretty rough not to mention a higher cost of living. Hence my original post, it seems like my only option to make decent money is the military.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[mla1169]

Apply to flip burgers, bag groceries, push a lawn mower. Even if those pay minimum wage that's still $7+ dollars an hour that you're not making now and certainly more than welfare pays. Income is income.

And as far as imaging it is easier for someone with 20+ years of experience to find a job, you'd be wrong. For every job at senior level or above there are 5-10 entry level. Senior jobs prefer public experience (have none) and generally shy away from mommies in their mid-40's. What I'm saying is we ALL have challenges. Don't use them as excuses. I do not live in a big city but my work ethic is such that I didn't fancy myself entitled to any specific role or salary.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

First off, nobody lives expense free. Someone else is paying for you to live. There are plenty of expenses; you are just not paying any of them.

Second, I personally worked at Walmart unloading trucks full time between my associates and bachelors when I wasn't quite sure what my plan was. It wasn't glamorous. It was extremely hard work and the pay sucked, but I did it. I will note that the bigger companies will expect you to pass a drug test. I don't know if that is or isn't a problem in your job hunt. I just wanted to throw it out there. Years before that, I worked as a cook in restaurants. Once again, it wasn't glamorous. They actually expect you not to be able to pass a drug test from my experience, so they don't test you. Just in case that is an issue for you, you can still find work. Go get a job and pay your own bills. You are an adult now.

I apologize if that sounded rude, but you will feel good when you get an honest paycheck. It doesn't speak less of someone to work a crappy job. It speaks more of them because they were willing to make sacrifices.

I wish you the best.

[Author]

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