[Lillian]

I’ve been studying for the CPA certification since 2012. I’ve spent an enormous amount for these exams and I have yet to take BEC or REG. Basically all of my study efforts have been on FAR and AUD. I’ve taken the FAR exam 2 times and didn’t pass and I’ve taken AUD once (currently studying for this exam now). My husband thinks that I should give up on the CPA certification but at this point it has become about the desire to pass simply because I’ve failed so many times and am determined to not give up. What do you all do when you don’t have a support system that lives with you? My mom is very supportive but I would like for my husband to be supportive also.

On my way to a CPA

[Nancy]

Perhaps the CMA may be a better route? It is only 2 exams and you have a lot longer to pass I think like 3 years or something.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

[MOAC]

So in 4 years you sat for the exam only three/four times? (Or I am missing something): four years a long time and I won't say that that your husband is wrong there. I studied for 8 months in totality but I still felt that I wasn't spending much time with my wife and family. I don't want to be rude but do you think you can pass it? Do you understand the material? I admire your persistency and effort but if you couldn't even one pass one section in four years you have to think that you might not cut out to be a CPA?

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[mtaylo24]

I feel you. I sat for my first exam Dec 2012. I took Audit 3x between Dec 2012 and Aug 2013, and didn't sit again until Nov 2015, which I magically passed, but its been downhill ever since. I definitely regret slacking off for a year in a half. I still haven't really passed anything, but just making it through all of the material is quite the accomplishment. Just keep at it, this process makes it feel like the world is against you. I'm not a fan of the person (somewhat of a dick, always cranky) that I have become because of this process, but it is what it is Ha! I have parents, co-workers, friends, a son, and a wife constantly trying to pull me away from my studies, but sometimes you just have to be stubborn and selfish with your time. This process sucks, no one truly enjoys going through it and dishing out the money, getting patted down at prometric, getting thrown in the cubby, then waiting 2+ weeks for the computer to grade your test. Others don't enjoy watching/hearing others stress about it. That just comes with the territory. I've had a couple of CPA bosses and none of them were supportive about the process, I passed one all excited and my recent boss told me to pass 4 (dick). You probably should pump up those numbers though, at least take 1 or 2 a window, but definitely not 3 like me.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[oldercandidate21]

I agree with MOAC. If you have only sat for the exam 3 times in 4+ years then your issue is that you aren't taking it enough. A lot of people fail three or more times and still pass. If you really want this then you need to sit at least 5-6 times a year. If you do that you'll get this thing done.

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[red_rose]

Tough one to answer. I personally don't believe you should give up on anything, no matter how difficult the task may be. Granted, i don't have a husband & kids, so I know my situation is different. But here's what I can tell you…

1. I did have a supportive boyfriend for 2 years. Then a week before my REG exam last month (that i've previously failed twice) we broke up. Talk about devastating! I cried…contemplated taking the damn exam
2. I work full-time at a public accounting firm. 2 weeks ago, I received ALL of my coworker's assignments due to her leaving on maternity leave. I was told to extend my work-days so I can get it all done. Oh and after working 12+ hours, I still have to find the energy to study at least 3 hours M-F and then 16 hours on the weekend .
3. I failed FAR once (passed 2nd try), took AUD 3 times (passed 3rd try), took me 3 times to pass REG and I passed BEC 1st try last yr but lost credit 3 months ago, so i'm taking it again next week.
4. I've had family and friends ask me is it worth it, and “are you studying correctly?” or maybe you should pay for a tutor. PISSED ME OFF! If i'm spending over $200/exam, what makes you think I can afford another expense?

So trust me when I say THIS EXAM AND PROCESS are really exhausting. But it's up to you. I personally would regret not finishing. I've wanted to quit so many times. But now that I have 1 more to pass, and its been almost 2 years of studying, passing & failing, I'm down to the last exam. Nothing in this life is easy. I say go for it! Tell your husband, I love you, but this is something that's important to me & I need your support. Trust me, it will be worth it :-). Good luck!!

[Meg267]

My husband has never told me to quit, but he has started to ask for more of my time. We sat down together and came up with a plan, once a week that we would have some type of “date night”. I DO NOT let this date night derail my progress at all. I adequately plan for it in my week. I get up an hour earlier than my husband to study. I take an hour lunch break to study. I tell him that every night I plan on studying 2 hours (except for date night). And then I plan on studying 4-5 hours each day on Saturday and Sunday. By taking the one night off a week to just have “us” time, it's made him feel so much better about the whole process.

I basically told my husband I'm doing this, and I have it all planned out. Showing him my plan, has made the situation better as well.

It does help that my husband is currently pursuing his PharmD, so whenever he studies, I study too!

[mtaylo24]

@red_rose minus the break up, are we the same person! My freakin boss left this week, lord knows what hes been working on, but i have to do his stuff, plus my mom and sister ask me about getting a tutor Smh! People just dont understand.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Valar Dohaeris]

You've taken 3 exams in 4 years? That's your problem. Buckle down and study. Nobody should spend more than 6 weeks studying for any exam. I'm sure there's more to your study routine, or lack thereof, that you aren't sharing. It sounds like you need some proper coaching on good study routines and how to manage studying for your exams with whatever else you got going on.

BEC - 85
AUD - 81
REG - 84
FAR - 7/24/16

[Anonymous]

Question to the T.S. Are you currently working in public accounting or industry right now? I've worked in public accounting for 11 years and there was always something going on in my life that allowed me to push off the CPA license. Late 2014, I decided in order to process in my career I needed to the obtain the license. I've passed the REG and AUD sections and my experience gave me a definite edge.

[Lillian]

@valar I agree, I definitely need to study more effectively. Grade school studying and studying for these exams are TOTALLY different. My problem is also that I expect to know all of the information on the first time through the materials and my learning style is more along the lines of repetitive learning, which means that instead of killing myself when I don't understand on the first round, take notes…do questions…but go back through the materials again and again. I get frustrated when I don't understand a concept and instead of moving on to something else, I stop all together. This is part of the reason why I've only sat 3 times, then of course life and the birth of my 2nd child, etc. etc. LOL The pressures that I have faced are no different from others who have devoted time to passing these exams and if others can do it I know that I can!

On my way to a CPA

[Over_It]

Take Nike's advice and JUST DO IT.

[CISNC]

If you show full commitment, your husband will support you. But, if you don't go all in, you only have yourself to blame and you should quit. It sounds like you had other things happen and you just half-way did it. You only sat 3 times in 4 years so I highly doubt you were that serious about the exam.

I started in early 2015 with a 2 year old child and just had my 2nd one in August of this year. I have REG left and I'm taking it on 12/9. I know how you feel being in a marriage and having life responsibilities. My wife has been pretty supportive but I can see her just wanting it to be over at the same time. All I know is we're both going to get drunk, laugh, and cry together when I finally pass. THAT'S what's important in your marriage.

FAR - Pass
AUD - Pass
BEC - Pass
REG - September

[HoosierCPA]

Great thread..it makes you step back and realize how much commitment this exam takes.

Bottom line. Life Happens–relationship problems, financial issues, work stress, new additions to the family, trying to fit in your social life, pressure to pass from our peers. I could go on and on. One thing you need to realize is you can't use that as an excuse. We are all going through it in one way or another. I know I am personally going through the majority of the issues I listed out.

Like others have mentioned step back and decide if its really what you want. 4 exams in 4 years won't cut it. I have been at it for a year now and have sat for 7 exams. Personally I hope you decide to stick with it, you have a whole community of people to support you and in the end I think you will find it to be one of the biggest accomplishments you have ever made.

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Tncincy]

@Lilla,
My post was to encourage Tville to keep going in regards to quitting the exam….I'm not looking for exam tips from her post. I know how to study and plan……when I pass everyone will know. Thank you for your suggestions 🙂

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

[Lillian]

@dtatham10 you are so right, I have never had to do anything this difficult in all my life…starting out, I thought that this exam was going to be a piece of cake….study sit for the exam, pass it, and move on to the next part. You are correct, I've had many road blocks along the way which have made me even more determined to pass these exams because I know that this is what I'm supposed to do…I just didn't expect all of the inherent obstacles…but I've also got inherent power to get through this….this too shall pass.

On my way to a CPA

[Author]

Replies