[Dog pounder1977]

Hi guys,

So I have been reading a number of forums about people getting there CPA’s I just need some advice. Ok, so right now I am 23 years old; I will be 24 next month. Here are my professional goals. Both of my parents are general labor workers and I don’t want to be like that. I want my son to be proud of me and not be embarrassed to say what his father does for a living like I was when asked that question in school especially wearing hand me downs. So I am busting my butt to get my BA in Accounting from Post University online in October. I know all of the stigma associated with online degrees, blah, blah, blah, but for active duty service members, this is our only choice.

Ok, so after I get my BA, I plan to enroll in Georgia Southern Univ. for their online AACSB MAcc program to meet the 150 cr req. I would just stick with Post with their MAcc program to avoid wasting time & money on the GMAT, but its not AACSB accredited. Ok so I am doing well with accounting overall and really enjoy it and see myself doing it as a profession but man Cost accounting is killing me. I understand it but then again I don’t. It is just really not attention grabbing and not sticking with me like ACC 101 and 201 did. Anyway so that is question number 1: how the heck do you demonstrate your understanding of that on the CPA exam? Moving along…

Jan. 2016 is when the MAcc program begins for GSU. It is only 6 classes total and are 16 weeks long, so you can only take 3 classes per year. So I start Jan 2016 and apply for graduation Aug 2017 during my last class. At this time I will be 26. At 27 years old the year 2018, I will be dedicating this entire year to getting my CPA and studying my butt off. By 2019 at the age of 28, I expect to have passed all parts of the exam and be on my way to bigger and better things.

Question number 2 is this. I am the type of guy to study books from start to finish, trying my best to master the material and do all the problems at the end of each chapter. I am nervous because we have just finished Cost accounting this semester and the professor skipped around in the book. I am far from confident that I know cost accounting. So back to my question is I still have intermediate 1 and 2 to take, Auditing, Tax, and another upper level accounting course (i think non profit/government accounting). I am scared that I won’t be able to remember all of this stuff in addition to trying to remember everything in the MAcc program in addition to remembering everything on the Rogers study material for the CPA exam.

Roger repeats over and over how you don’t need to be a genius to pass the exam but man I am getting nervous that I am not smart enough because I don’t understand cost accounting. I don’t want to be a failure but I am starting to question whether I have what it takes to be a CPA? At first, I wanted to be an internal auditor, but after taking Accounting Info Systems, I found it boring. Now I am looking into Forensic Accounting or maybe public. I want to be making AT LEAST $60-70,000 after getting my CPA. Sorry for the long post but all of the other forum questions don’t answer mine specifically. Also, I am getting out the Navy in 3 weeks. My job is working with pay and entitlements basically office work and is somewhat similar to accounting. It was the closest occupational match they had for me when I joined. My part time job at a dealership will turn full time once I get out the military. I got hired as an accounting assistant there getting paid 13.75 for part time and 14.75 once I am full.

My question with that job is that I find it truly boring and nothing like accounting in the school books. I work with A/R, A/P, Bank recon, and Payroll, with some inventory. I can barely understand the debit and credit system they use because we are dealing with inventory on two systems (RV, boats, and snowmobiles). I am just lost beyond words with that job too because everything I do, I try to relate to how I was taught in the book with simply debit this credit that, but it just seems like it is a completely different world of accounting at that job. I am trying to think maybe it is because I do not work at a firm and that once I work there, I will deal with accounting somewhat more similar to how I am taught in school. Again, sorry for the long post!

PLEASE HELP!!!

One day I will face that exam.

[mommyof3texans]

Hi, not sure I have much in the way of answers, but curious why you think Internal Auditing is boring after taking AIS? I can tell you that Internal Auditing varies between companies. My first IA job was executing pretty standard audit programs at location after location but the team was young and fun and travel was great while I was still without kids. The IA job I have now at a Fortune 20 company is much different. Each audit engagement is different and unique and we perform a risk assessment and create a risk-based audit program for every audit from scratch. I get to see different areas of the company and interact with executives as I think about moving into another area of the business.

You can pass the CPA even if you don't get every aspect of cost accounting right now. There is so much you can do with a CPA outside of public accounting even. It can and will open up opportunities in the world of business and finance you might not otherwise have. It might take longer than you think but don't give up. I got my BS in Accounting in 1994, my MS in Accounting Sept 2014 and am just beginning the CPA marathon as a 42 yr old mom of 3 kids!

Try not to stress about the journey, just take it as it comes. I grew up like you as well, I took accounting because I wanted more for myself and my kids than I had.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[Dog pounder1977]

Hi and thank you for the reply. I try not too worry but I just fill myself up with soo much anxiety if I don't understand something right off the back and especially when I hear about other CPA candidates talk about in the other forums how they have been studying and studying and passing the practice exams with 80's and 90's but STILL fail miserably on the exam. I just know that I really want to get my CPA licensed. And to answer your question about AIS? It was interesting as a lot of it pertained to what I need to know as an auditor, but the professor's teaching style and the homework he had us do didn't really enhance my understanding or attention span. The course was taken at American Military University and was the first and last accounting class taken there. All we did was study definitions and maybe one or two practice problems each week along with a discussion post about definitions again.

One day I will face that exam.

[sdcat23]

I didn't read in much detail all of the OP. Though first of all thank you for your service. Don't get down about the CPA process, if you can pick up a gun and defend our country then believe me you can pass the CPA exam. I think you should figure out what you want to do in

I think you had two question, 1) I didn't feel like i had to know EVERYTHING to pass the CPA exams. The CPA Exam covers the topics and mile wide and inch deep (or however the expression goes). 2) Unless you are an extrememly gifted person you're not going to memerize everything.

My suggestion is while you're in school talk to recruiters and people who have been there before to discover what you're going to be interested in. Then try to lock up an internship with a public accounting firm for the summer of your Sophomore or Junior year. Honestly i think the internal bookeeping job is a really good idea. It will definitely give you a leg up compared to your classmates

[Anonymous]

My father worked/works at a factory. Has for over 40 years. There is no shame to be had in manual labor. Hard work is hard work, in any vessel. Though I understand your first paragraph to an extent. I wasn’t motivated to complete the CPA exam until I started having kids. I didn’t take it so that my kids were embarrassed that I might be a labor worker, but so that my kids had no excuse against pursuing what they want in life. I’ll be the first one of my family line to get a certification the magnitude of the CPA. I wanted to be a direct living example for them to pursue what they have a passion for.

Plans always end up needing to be adjusted. Keep that in mind. Life never takes the exact path you expect. Where you end up is determined by your persistence and ever evolving goals.

I passed the CPA exam. I had a 2.5 GPA in college. It’s not always about book smarts.

Dealership accounting is different for sure, I worked in that industry for over 3 years. It can be a struggle, but keep at it and it’ll eventually click.

Best of luck.

[Dog pounder1977]

@sdcat23 I don't attend a traditional brick and mortar school, I go online due to military req's although the Post University campus is located in Waterbury, CT. Nonetheless, I appreciate your feedback.

@doitagain I agree that there is nothing wrong with hard labor for employment, it's just that income is not as high and you get paid for what you do, not for what you know and I want to put my degree to use. My father has a degree in business but does not work in that field. Similar to what you stated about doing it for your kids and being the first in your family with a professional cert, the same applies to me. But I appreciate your feedback and honest input.

One day I will face that exam.

[Anonymous]

I think your salary goals are pretty ambitious. You really won't be a CPA until you get some experience regardless of whether you are done the exams or not. Even those at Big 4 in public start in the 50's (depending on where they are living). Granted, within a few years they get some significant salary increases, but you may have to put in a little time to get that 70k,

[TNCPA16]

Don't worry about remembering everything now for the CPA exam – focus on school, and then focus on the exam. Cost accounting is just one of many (many!) topics covered. I took a cost accounting class about a million years ago and couldn't tell you a single thing about it. That's why I purchased review materials. If I relied on what I learned in school, I would be screwed.

I do think your salary expectations are a bit high. You'd be doing pretty well to be mid-50's at an entry level position. After a few years experience, $60-70 is definitely reasonable, however.

Also, I wouldn't totally exclude internal audit based off of one college course. I can promise you real world auditing is NOTHING like what you learn in school!

[Martin]

Here are my professional goals. Both of my parents are general labor workers and I don't want to be like that. I want my son to be proud of me and not be embarrassed to say what his father does for a living like I was when asked that question in school especially wearing hand me downs.

lilperk09, I still don't understand why you would be embarrassed of your parents having blue collar jobs. If you dont feel proud of where you come from, you wont get far in this world. Im sure they did the best they could to provide shelter and education for you. Be thankful that you were raised by both of your parents. Im sure you will be the type of person who will not say hello to the cleaning lady once you get your little cubicle in corporate America. Dont worry, Im sure that if you get a job in Corporate America, the senior Director of the company most likely wont say good morning to you anyway, he might not care to know your name either. What goes around, comes around. You will be the victim of your own policies.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[June2016]

Sorry to go off topic from the original poster, have a question for

@doitagain was your gpa ever brought up during interviews and if yes how did you explain it?

[Anonymous]

My GPA was only ever brought into discussion with my first employer at a small CPA firm. They asked what it was, and I told them. I don't think they were so concerned with my GPA, but more with how I presented myself and my personability. I never applied to any of the larger CPA firms in college. You could say I didn't have much direction early in my career. Admittedly, I didn't try very hard in college or know where I was going next with an undergrad in accounting.

[Dog pounder1977]

@Martin: Sorry but I was raised in a single family home by my mother in the ghetto parts of Gary, IN. True, she did try her best but what I resent about her is that she gave up on her professional goals because she developed an internal belief that she could not do it. She wanted to be an RN working in retirement homes. Now she works at Toyota in the assembly line. That is what I mean by embarrassment while in a class of 30+ students everyone's family is a professional this or that or something interesting getting paid tons of money and all I can say is my mom WORKS at this place and then everyone staring at me. It sucked moving from apartment to apartment while all my ‘friends' lived in a big house.

I didn't even have my own room growing up. I shared with my mom while my sister had her own. You get what I'm saying? That is why I am worried about not being smart enough for the CPA since I now have a son and am faced with a similar predicament. But it does seem like I should focus more on completing the undergrad first (5 more classes), then while I am in my MAcc program start concerning myself with the exam. Just enjoy hearing feedback from people who I can relate to. Nonetheless, I appreciate your feedback.

@Positivethoughts: no worries and it was a good question that I also needed an answer too!

@Jilly Beans: lol that is what I like to hear. Most of the people on the forums say things like, “Yeah I graduated in 93′ and got my CPA in 04′ and I remember everything from those classes”. I don't see how it is possible remembering all the variances and so forth. But I appreciate your feedback.

@Dustindd23: Well from looking at some of the starting salaries on Indeed.com, USAjobs.gov, for accountants (staff/supervisor) $60 grand is borderline near the minimum. But I can understand what you are saying by not having any relevant experience. I was hoping that my experience at the dealership would be sufficient but the accounting manager is not a CPA. I don't even think she has a degree. However, I do appreciate your feedback.

One day I will face that exam.

[Martin]

lilperk09, I have experienced almost the same circumstance relating to single mom, etc,etc,. The only difference is that my class mates were as poor as I was. Weird that you went to a school with upper middle class families, I guess your mom found a way to put you in a good school. You still have to be proud of her since she did not put you up for adoption, and did her best,so that you can have a better future.My mom had to work two jobs to support me and my brother. You should only feel embarrassed about your father. Anyway, dont think that you are not good enough to become an Accountant and pass the CPA exam. This is a type of career where if you put in the hours and dedication, you will become successful. You might just have to study a bit more than your neighbor. Accounting is harder than other business careers like Administration,International business, Marketing and finance, but is not harder than other career like medicine for example. To get into medical school it does matter where you went to school, and how smart your parents were. A friend of my sister just killed himself the other day for not been able to get into medical school (MCATS) after finishing his bachelors in Biology with a 3.90 GPA. His parents put too much pressure on him. They threw a huge party for him since he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was about to take the MCATS.

I had a friend from College who tried to pass the MCATS for 3 years straight after also finishing his bachelors with a 3.9, he got mad after the third try, and took the LSAT exam and passed it in 3 months. He is now a successful attorney.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Dog pounder1977]

@Martin: Well I cannot speak much for med school although I did attempt to become a veterinarian at Ball State Univ. but hated chemistry so gave up on that and stuck with my second best subject which is math and numbers which is why I am desiring to be an accountant. Studying is no problem for me as I am very good at remembering things. However, it is just with accounting there are many things to remember and easy to forget. For instance, I start Intermediate next week and was reviewing my Principles of Accounting book which consists of 14 chapters. I made it all the way to chapter 10 which is touching on Stocks, Bonds, Current and Long term liabilities and payroll while also trying to learn cost accounting.

Then my ex girlfriend who I have been trying to get back with had to take managerial accounting for her CIS degree. She remembered I was majoring in it and asked for help since she did not understand anything after her first week (or maybe she was using me). Anyway she was already into her 3 rd week and was struggling so I helped her and boosted her grade to an A then last week she had a test on depreciation and so forth. I had just finished reviewing depreciation, intangible assets, in chapter 9 but was so caught up in refreshing my memory of stocks and bonds and also this stupid cost accounting that I forgot how to do the double declining balance method!!! I did not forget it completely I just forgot the formula for DDB was Cost-Accumulated Depreciation x 1/life x12/12 in months. I was doing Cost-Residual value x 1/life x12/12 like all the other methods. That made me mad as I immediately began thinking of the CPA exam and how a simple question like that could pop up and I could miss it because I forgot the formula. That one question could mean the difference between a 75 and 74 or simply pass and fail. Being in the Navy, I have seen far too often where people do not get promoted because they missed the cut off by one single point and have to take the exam again 6 months later.

One day I will face that exam.

[Author]

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