[FTorres9]

Should I take the CPA Exam? Some background:

– no experience

– average to below average gpa

– 150 hours

– My long-term goal salary is $60,000 (I don’t care if I never make more than that. I understand it could take years to reach that salary.).

– I don’t want to work more than 50 hrs/week (this could change).

[jamesjohnson11]

Don't set your sights too high lol. The cpa exam doesn't give a darn if you were a good student or a bad student. If you can manage to force yourself to sit down for hours upon hours and study and put in the hard work you can pass. Plain and simple.

R PASS
A PASS
B PASS
F AUGUST

[FTorres9]

But is it worth it for me given the economy and lack of jobs? Will I be able to find a job if I pass? What do you mean, “don't set your sights too high lol?”

[Anonymous]

“But is it worth it for me given the economy and lack of jobs? Will I be able to find a job if I pass? What do you mean, “don't set your sights too high lol?””

@Ftorres09

You should take the CPA, think about it as a long term investment. Those 3 letters could help you move up in your company in the future

[vanadium3]

um if your long term goal is 60k there are many ways to get there. cpa exam is a killer and it's no joke… not to discourage anyone. you can either be super smart and pass, or you have to have strong reason(s) to fight through. if neither then it's a pain. yeah?

CPA

[shiggity80]

If you do pass the CPA, then $60,000 shouldn't be a problem if you can find a job and work there a couple years.

Also, if you want to be in public account, then yes, go for the CPA. If you just want to do some entry level accounting work (book keeping, a/p clerk, etc), then you don't absolutely need to be a CPA.

CPA is no joke. It is possibly the hardest exam offered in the USA or at least one of the hardest. You will have to devote a lot of your time to just studying, and even then, it's no guarantee you will pass. It could take 6 months for you to pass….or it could take years for you to pass, or anything in between.

FAR: 87
AUD: 86
BEC: 86
REG: 84! Officially Done!

[FTorres9]

Thank you all. I know how hard it is. Thank you. But I also know it's doable.

“You should take the CPA, think about it as a long term investment. Those 3 letters could help you move up in your company in the future “

Thanks Craig. I think that's what I was looking for.

[Anonymous]

Don't take the CPA unless you plan on working in accounting. And even then without experience, you won't get a job with a CPA.

[Anonymous]

This is the bar exam for accountants.

[Anonymous]

^^

Lawyers should say it's the CPA Exam for law students 😀

[FTorres9]

“Don't take the CPA unless you plan on working in accounting. And even then without experience, you won't get a job with a CPA.”

Thank you. You don't think I would find a job eventually?

[Anonymous]

@FTorres9: Employers don't want to hire people without experience. I passed the CPA and PMP exams and still can't find work. Despite having IT experience, clean record and doing everything right.

[nearly_there]

I'd say take it. It can't hurt and while you are not working, passing it should not be that bad. It will give you more weight and increase your earning capacity for the rest of your life. There is virtually no downside (excpet for the money that you will have to spend for registering and study materials).

FAR - 85 November 2011
AUD - 81 January 2012
REG - 68 March 2012
BEC - 86 April 2012
REG - 92 July 2012

[FTorres9]

Thank you nearly_there.

@bobkorz:

“Employers don't want to hire people without experience.”

Then how does anyone ever get hired? No one starts out with experience.

“I passed the CPA and PMP exams and still can't find work. Despite having IT experience, clean record and doing everything right.”

Sorry to hear man. I'm sure you'll find something eventually. What state do you live in?

[Anonymous]

It's indeed difficult to get a job without experience. However, there will be individuals and companies who are willing to take a risk by hiring you on. The key is to get out there, go to networking events, talk to people, do NOT come across as desperate, and be genuinely curious about people and their line of work.

The latter has landed me so many opportunities it's maddening.

[Anonymous]

@FTorres9 How do people get hired? No idea. Nothing I do seems to help. I live in Illinois, where unemployment is 10%+ in Cook County.

[Author]

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