[Frank_P]

How do I study for long hours if I have everything I could ever want and need (i.e., food, shelter, A/C, internet, etc.)?

I really don’t need more than the wage an accounting degree will provide to satisfy my wants and needs. I’m not obsessed with material objects (new cars, big house, etc.). I also have no kids or anyone I need to support financially (and don’t want any).

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[mla1169]

I have to laugh at the notion of taking it if something changes. It is a herculean task to take this on when you have a family, a family & a job, a family and a house and a job. It is difficult at best on any type of relationship either familial or romantic. Its like you're saying you don't want to put in the effort to climb a hill now but may consider climbing mt everest down the road. Look, you don't need to be a CPA and if you see no benefit to it now or later then don't waste your time and money. But later will make the effort more challenging at best.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Frank_P]

@10allie05

Thank you for understanding. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

@CPA-Convertible

Well, I guess pressure from my professors had something to do with getting the 150. They also said the benefits were great, along with others (CPAs, etc.) with whom I spoke. So it sounded like a great plan for me (and it still does; as mentioned in a prior post, part of me will always want to do it). I too wanted to build my resume and have more job security and opportunities.

The feeling of accomplishment I don't think is too high on my list, but I guess it did feel good graduating (which, passing would be a much greater accomplishment imo). Validation I think is lower than the feeling of accomplishment on my list, but it too I suppose would be nice in a way for me.

Now that you mention starting a business (and needing very little or no capital with a CPA), that sounds good too. I have thought before that would be nice to have some flexibility like that.

@jenuno01

“With that attitude, you'll never pass.”

What attitude do you mean exactly? Thank you for your input btw.

[Anonymous]

@ Frank_P. Let me apologize I don't want to make you feel as though you are not normal. That was not my intent. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

[tbstew]

I think Frank_P's question is very legitimate and sincere, and deserves sincere responses.

From what I can gather, Frank_P, you're not concerned with furthering your financial position, nor with unstable economic conditions. So unless you're the kind of person who likes to take on big challenges for no tangible reason or benefit other than to reach some accomplishment, I would recommend letting go of it altogether. If you can't find a motive that will drive you to sacrifice all/most of your free time over the next 6-18 months, I wouldn't even bother.

In response to your reasoning that “What if the economy gets so bad, that the CPA license becomes worthless in 5 years?” Or taken to the extremes, “What if there are food riots tomorrow?”, etc. Should we all be hoarding canned food today?” — One could certainly make that argument. Now you're getting into risk assessment and management. It's all about probabilities, in my mind. To me, it's much more probable that a 4 year degree could become obsolete in the next say, 15 years, than for a CPA license to become obsolete. But that's for each individual to decide. It's all guesswork, so one person's idea is probably no better than the next.

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
REG - 87
FAR - 86 - Woot, all done!
Ethics - 100

[Frank_P]

@mla1169

Thank you again for you post. I don't want a family, and don't see myself ever wanting one (no offense to anybody that does). A small house, maybe, but not a mortgage. I would be fine renting (perhaps even with roommates) indefinitely in order to limit my expenses and obligations.

But later on while working, if I change my mind about taking the CPA exam (assuming I don't go through with it today), I could see myself buying some study material and trying again. I don't think that is too out of one's reach. Am I wrong at all in my way of thinking?

[ppierce]

sounds like Frank P needs a hug

FAR 80
REG 76
AUD 85
BEC 85
Ethics 98
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frank_P]

@DestinyCPA

Oh, thank you. That's perfectly fine. There's no need to apologize. You said nothing wrong. Thank you for your kind wishes.

@tbstew

Thank you. That's very kind of you to say. I think you are right. Having a CPA license is certainly better than not having one. I don't see that ever changing really tbh.

As far as money, challenges, and such. I think in a way I am influenced by some of the financial and economic rewards (more money, job opportunities, etc.). So I guess that does or will play a part in my decisions.

Anyway, I guess I'm gonna try to study some more right now. My brain is still trying to wrap around all the extremely informative and helpful responses in this thread. I will continue to come back to it later today or tomorrow. Thank you so much all again.

[Anonymous]

@Frank_P…Passing the CPA exams can take as little as 6 months or up to years, but I would say it usually takes a year of solid studying to pass all four. So, if you think the outcome of being a CPA doesn't justify one year of your life to study hard, then you might not need that after all…that is how I was for years. I was qualified to take the tests many years ago but just didn't think it's worth that much. My another reason to get a CPA is that I didn't have better things to do in my life. I went to work, come home, eatt, and watch TVs…This CPA journey actually opens my eyes that how much I need to value my time and things I could have done when I have free time. Anyway, good luck whatever you decide to do.

[mcwingnutz]

Frank,

I am not sure how old you are, or how recently you graduated, but your thought process reminds me of mine when I graduated college 6 years ago. I figured the CPA exam was not imporant enough to focus on, and just didn't feel like putting in the time to do it. I figured I had everything I could currently want, and was simply content. But then as the years went by, and I watched my peers, some of which were less qualified than myself get promoted for the simple fact that they passed the CPA, I started to get mad and regretful. I left the Big 4 to come to a more regional firm, hoping things would get better. But then another 2 years passed, and it was the same story. So, finally I put in the 8 months of work and just got it over with. Now I will have a license that will last me a lifetime, and only needed to put 8 months of effort into it. And in the end, I do regret not taking it early, and it has very little to do with financial reasons. I regret not taking it because I don't feel I got the respect that I deserved for my work efforts. And through out your career, if you stick with accounting, you will not get the respect that you deserve if you do not pass this test.

AUD - 71,81
BEC - 78
REG - 81
FAR - 69, 76 and Done!

[kmwgrace]

Frank, I understand that you just put in 4+ years of hard work to get your Bachelor's (and maybe a Master's?) to get to the 150 hours required to sit for the exam. Here's the thing – if you think you ever might want to take the exam, I would recommend taking it sooner rather than later, for a number of reasons.

1. All of the material from college is as fresh now as it will ever be. The longer you go without using it, the more you will forget and the harder it will be to re-learn it later on.

2. You don't have a wife & kids to distract you. I know, you say you don't want that, maybe ever. But love can come at you unexpectedly, and before you know it you could be married. Seriously, you could meet Ms. Right tomorrow. What you absolutely know RIGHT NOW is that you have no ties or distractions to keep you from studying at the present time.

3. Are you employed? If you're not, again you have the time to study now. Even if you do have some sort of entry-level job, it doesn't sound like it's all that demanding & you could work studying around your work schedule.

4. If you study, take the exam, and pass you'll be a CPA. If you never try, you won't be.

Here's the catch though – if you decide to take it, you need to get a lot more serious about it. I think that's what Jenuno meant when he said that you would never pass with your attitude. This is not an exam that you can pass by just being smart. You actually have to know your stuff – and there's a LOT of stuff to know. If you have a blase attitude of “I'll give it a shot, if I pass great, if not, oh well” then Jenuno is right – you won't pass. You have to work for it. Best wishes to you as you make your decision.

~ Kate... MTX!
CPA exam on hold while I homeschool my 6 year old!

[HumanPiranha]

If your needs are so effing basic, go live in a shack in the mountains with the unabomber

[Author]

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