[Nail]

Hi everyone. I am just really worried and wanted to ask with you guys. I am 26 year old ( oct, 1992 born). Am i too late for cpa? And if i clear by the end of this year, hopefully. Will i get a job in a public accounting? (probably Big 4). Am i too old for CPA? I wish i could turn few years back. Just needed some frank advice. Thanks!

[alloverit]

Oh wow! You're 26? I don't know how you wasted so much time!! I mean, even if you pass this year your career as a CPA will barely last 40 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being a CPA is not the end-all-be-all. I'm glad I ran music stores and dated hot music store groupies in my twenties and thirties.

If the CPA is really your dream…I will pray for you.

I have to go now as my 46 year old head is about to explode.

[PTBP2018]

Lol!! Heck no!! I started studying again when I was nearly 35…and 36 now, so…no.
I still have almost 30 years+ until retirement, so I feel pretty good about it! A friend of my mom's completed her CPA when she was 50. She is pretty darn successful now, so no. It's never too late!

[Adam]

These posts are soo lame and worn out..you'd fit right in as a know nothing slave of the Big 4

[Nail]

Actually many people say that Public Accounting firms like Big 4 only entertain candidates who are in their early 20s. And i read on this forum that someone of 28 year old was considered older for Big 4. So that has worried me a lot. I want to be in my early 20's. I wanna go back. Pls guys don't lie me and say me d truth. Please

[AsianNinja]

@Nail if you keep the mindset that you are old to do something, you would end up doing nothing. If someone tells you are old to take the exam or work for big4 and you give up, then you just find an excuse not to try. You better spend your time to think about what you really want and do it rather asking this kind of question.

Also, getting the CPA license is not only to work for Big4. There are other opportunities out there besides Big4. Don't let anything define you, let you define yourself.

[Nail]

@AsianNinja i totally agree with you and i will complete my cpa. But i am worried that if i become a successful cpa and yet i will not get a job because of my age or i don't have value. Then it would be a complete waste for me. That's the reason i am bothered. What if the employer insult me and say that i am too late for this. I hate being rejected. I have started preparing and enjoying it but when i think of ‘after cpa circumstances'i feel like i have missed my train. A feeling that i am left behind everyone.

[Julia]

Obviously we can't convince u that ur not too old. Pursue ur goals & see where it lands.
I desired to b public accounting firm so bad. I worked the hours & did the travel & loved the money. Turns out my marriage almost was destroyed.
I walked away, got a decent job w great benefits. Great marriage to my best friend. Took a while to com back to my CPA, but @ 40 here I am.
So success depends on u & ur thoughts on it.

As far as failure, insults, rejection: Ur going to have to learn to make Peace with it. Real life is not like High School. It's worse. Cliques & the insults are more thought out. Lol.

[Nail]

@Julia do you think i have lost it?

[Nikki374]

@Nail, you are not too old! I am much older than you and just got passed the exam last month. Don’t let people define you or dictate your goals in life. Go for what you want. I have friends who started at the Big 4 firms at 25. Learn now not to care what people think. You will be happier 😃

[Julia]

@Nail I don't think u lost it. I think u maybe r young & sheltered & inexperienced in the professional work place.
I understand that, I graduated @ 25 so I was same way. Professional world was a big shock. Lots more cry babies than I expected. Overly sensitive people, so watch what u say to co-workers.

[Nail]

Thanks for your replies. Just wanted to ask that what should be an ideal (like early) age of a person who is a CPA, if he completed his 150 credit hours eligibility criteria..?

[Julia]

No ideal age. Best to take CPA right after school. I'm 15 years out, and it is much harder than for my co-workers who just finished school.

[Missy]

The average age of CPA candidates is 29 so…………

By the way I was 42.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[ds34168]

I am 34 and I just passed all parts, so tell me about it.

[Madhav]

I am 27 and just passed my CPA. There was a guy applying for Financial aid at community college when he was in last 60s. Only inside you can tell what you really are. Do not worry about what other thinks because if you do, you will never be the one who you really wanted to be.

[Author]

Replies