[EANcpa76]

Hello everyone on this forum,

I wanted to make this post to be an example of why you should never give up, specifically regarding the CPA exam. I started this journey in the winter of 2015 and it took me until this past summer that I finally started passing.

I have been working for a small CPA firm and exclusively work in tax. When I started the CPA journey, I started out at one of the largest tax firms in the world outside the Big 4. I applied to the Big 4 during my college years but never got noticed. This first job was extremely brutal and maybe worse than some of those who start right in Big 4…I was working 80 hour weeks within only a couple weeks of starting..and I started right in the middle of tax season. Sometimes I think about going to Big 4 but I really don’t want to see my life pass me by…hopefully that didn’t upset anyone.

From 2015 – 2016 I only managed to pass BEC because I switched to an audit gig for a medium-sized firm. Turns out I absolutely HATE audit so I was unfortunately let go.

Then from 2017-this past summer, it took me four tries to pass FAR and lost credit for BEC.I failed AUD three times and REG twice. I tried Gleim, Yaeger, some Wiley sample questions, NINJA, and finally (which I still use) Becker. For these past couple years, I thought I would be studying for the CPA exam for the rest of my career or would end up giving up in the next 10 years. There were so many days where I thought to myself “why am I even doing this to myself”? I have had these thoughts over and over again, and even started doubting this career.

Well, fast forward to the present, and I can officially say that I have passed REG, AUD, and BEC in the past six months!! I actually only received a 75 on both BEC and AUD, but who cares, right? Therefore, case in point: do NOT give up.

What worked for me:

1)Use Becker, since it is also unlimited (takes pressure off of having to find the funds for a new course)
2)FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS. This may come off rude, but do not waste time reading through these forums for hours on. I’m sorry but the only way to pass is to study, study, study.
3)Do NOT skip over any section
4)If you are not passing any parts or years have gone by, I actually encourage you to take time off from it and come back say six months later. Why? Because you will be refreshed and ready to jump back in. If you keep attempting and not passing, you will become so frustrated that you will not be able to focus on the material…trust me, it gets depressing fast.
5)Do not compare yourself to others and make sure this is what you want to do
6)I would NOT take these exams if you are just starting a new job or going through a rough patch. Only take it when you are secured in your job or fresh out of your school.

I apologize for this long post but if I can do it, you can too! I never thought I would ever make it this far.

[Tncincy]

Thank you so much for your post. I have tried many times to no avail. I decided to try again this year. Really study, no excuses, no whining, no wasting time. I run my own business. Tax season started out with a bum rush ( not complaining, need the money) business is starting to slow down. I don't expect another rush until maybe another few weeks. So, I have a little more time to put into study during the day. My goal is to pass and will NOT give up. But again, thank you for your encouragement. If no one else needed it, I did.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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