[tlc_cpa]

I am 47 years old and graduated college 23 years ago. I sat for CPA right after college so I am “grandfathered” in as far as the State of Georgia’s rules for setting for the exam. I spent 18 years working with my husband in a small private business and the last 3 years in a small hospital (2 years as Staff Accountant and now Revenue Integrity). However, I am scared to death that I am too old and have been out of school far too long to pass. I need advice on a review course and a study method. Please HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[I love numbers!]

I guess I am confused because you are asking if you can pass the exam, but in your first sentence you say you already sat for the exam? Am I reading correctly? If you already sat then why do you need to again?

Anyway, to answer your question “can I pass the exam”…I am so and so years old and graduated so many years ago….YES! You can do anything you set your mind to. No matter what age. It just depends on how hard you try and how determined you are.

B - 71, 83
A - 85
R - 80
F - 80

[Anonymous]

When she says she “sat for the CPA exam”, she means she took it and didn't pass. However, because she at least attempted it way back when, she's grandfathered in under the old rules.

@OP You're never too old if you have the determination and mental will to do it… The only challege really is the volume of material. The actual concepts are pretty basic and if you have the drive you will succeed.

Good Luck!

[mmcgrad1]

I definitely believe you can do it! I think the key will be finding a good review system for you since much of the material has changed since you last took classes in college.

Personally, I found the NIU CPA Review to be great. It teaches you everything you need to know to pass the exam as if you hadn't seen the material before. I also like how it broke down topics into manageable books rather than one large book.

I can't tell you what review course is best since this is the only review course I took. I can say that I was worried about not knowing the material before taking this course due to being out of school for awhile and out of accounting for over a year. However, I passed every section on my first attempt within two testing windows using my review course.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[StellaFL]

Yes! Of course you can. I am 41, graduated from college 20 years ago and will be sitting for my final section next month. I have passed the previous 3 on the first attempt, and have also had to go back to school to pick up some credit hours to meet the 150 hour rule. I am a much better student than I was 20 years ago, and have found this process very rewarding. I used Yaeger/Wiley and found the program to be a great “teaching” type review. Good luck to you!

REG 11/28/11 - 88
BEC 04/04/12 - 88
FAR 07/23/12 - 90
AUD 11/2012 - 92

Yaeger/Wiley

[mena je twa]

Age is not a factor , in this race. If you put in the time and hard work and dedication, even a 70 yr old can do it.

Do some research on what kind of review course you need, depending on your study style etc.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Minimorty]

If you take the exam enough times, you will pass. Everyone who keeps trying passes eventually.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you absolutely candothis!! I will be 51 in November, am also a resident of Georgia and was also granfathered in under the old rules. I also work at a hospital. I took the exam several times back in the '90's and came up short each time. I took Audit in 2005 “just to see” and came away with a 68. Set everything aside again. In 2010, I saw a friend from high school who had recently passed her exam and whom I knew had taken the exam prior to the new rules going into effect. I did some research and there on the Secretary of State's website it plainly states that the new education requirements do not apply to those who sat for the exam prior to 1998!! I immediately orderd study material for all four parts of the exam.(My way of totally committing to pass). I sat for BEC in November of 2010 and made a 68. It took almost a year until I passed my first part. On September 16, 2011 I found out I passed Audit(2nd attempt), January 5, 2012 passed BEC(4th attempt) and May 23, 2012 passed REG 4th attempt).

I am scheduled to take FAR on November 5th. I took it in August and made a 65. I am feeling pretty good about it and am ready to have my life back. The score release is projected for November 26th and my birthday is November 30th.

I believe(among other things) there are three qualities necessary to pass this exam: Desire, determination and dedication. Apply these to your situation and you can and will pass the CPA exam!!

Good Luck!!!

P.S. I graduated from college in 1988.

[mmen]

I am 44 yrs young and got my license on 10/17/12..what a feeling that was!! I totally agree with candothis three D's..Desire, determination and dedication…

FAR: 5/31/11 Passed
AUD: 10/08/11 Passed
BEC: 01/07/12 Passed
REG: 11/27/11,2/27/12 5/12 passed
Got my license on 10/17/12........

[M]

i'm 44 and absolutely no experience in accounting or any other field. i also took the exam way back when and had 2 kids with special needs along the way. i did real estate for a year and now back to cpa after so long.

YES we all can do it. it took me a year and 2x taking the FAR to pass. i went thru several youtube video's to re-learn the basics like the “accounting equation”. yes i had to start from there! didnt even know debits and credits. took AUD the 2nd time around and now studying for BEC while i wait for the results. its repetition repetition repetition. Love the 3 D's mentioned above!!!

not sure if i passed audit though 🙁

who says you'r OLD at any age? brain…….use it or lose it! i was losing it so decided to use it!

using becker review course, ninja notes and when i get lost on the basics i find youtube video's to learn. there are several accounting teachers on youtube who'll get you thru the basics.

“If you dont have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
FAR - 64, 81... exp 11/30/13
AUD - 54, 67 Retake Jan
BEC - Feb 28th
REG - TBD

[Anonymous]

I will be 41 this coming December. Doing evening classes, one at time, whenever I can. I always go back to this forum and read the members' amazing stories everytime the ghost of failing haunts me. I am completing my business courses and hopeful to formally apply for the exam. Since I am financing all requirements, can I ask if doing online course on finance (Corporate Finance) will help me pass the exam? The subject is being offered online in a community college — it's less expensive and suits my schedule. I have doubts though, that taking the course online will not give me the exposure I need. Appreciate your advice.

[Author]

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