[indiancacpa]

I am from india and doing cpa and planning to do masters. Now i am 28 years old. I studied bachelors in india 3 years+ Chartered Accountancy 5 years (chartered accountancy in India is one of the world’s most tough course)+ job in india 2 years + cpa 1.5 years + planning to do masters 1 year in usa= TOtal 12.5 years.

Even though i do have 12.5 years study + job experience in india + usa, i have to apply as a fresher.

I missed a lot in my life ( i spend most of the my time with books). I spend nearly 15 years in accounting but didn’t earn like a software professional or a doctor even though i did hard work equal to get a medical degree .I don’t recommend to anyone doing a accounting degree. What do you think?

FAR:73,82
Aud:74
Bec:73,73
Reg:72,82

[MikeInMIA]

you started working as an accountant when you were 13?

Anyway, new age accounting rewards charismatic outgoing individuals.. no longer does it reward the introverted brainiac.. so depending on who you are I'd agree.

[mla1169]

If you are questioning your choices, I'm not sure what to tell you. I dont know exactly what you believe youve missed out on but 28 is very young to feel like you've missed out on ANYTHING. What I would give to be 28 again and at this point in life. If anything you've been an adult for all of 10 years so far, and have another good 50 years ahead of you.

Look at the big pictures, some parents work 2 jobs to make ends meet and put food on their table. They put in as many hours as we spend studying and feel like they've missed out on a lot. Some professionals have jobs that require a lot of travel and feel like they've missed out on a lot at home with their families and friends.

I'm very curious as to what you believe your other options are/were and how you think you could be better situated at this point in your life?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[indiancacpa]

mla1169,

You said some good points,i definitely will keep in mind.

I compared those who are at my age in other profession and earning more like my husband who is a software professional earning 130k and my sister who is doctor earning 200 k (both are 2 years elder than me)

FAR:73,82
Aud:74
Bec:73,73
Reg:72,82

[Anonymous]

Money isn't everything. I chose accounting to be closer to my family but I happen to make more money now than I did when I was in sales and traveling all the time.

Plus if a doctor makes a mistake, it's a life. If I make a mistake, it's a 1040X.

[misanthrope87]

I agree. I also feel like I'm wasting my youth. For the time it takes to be a CPA, I don't think it's worth it when you compare it to some other careers. And for what? To be treated as a slave in a CPA firm or spend all your days doing some boring and unrewarding thing? If I had children, I wouldn't want them to do this that's for sure.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[mla1169]

I guess the bigger question is do you get ANY satisfaction at all from your career. If not, its time to explore other options. At the end of the day it doesnt matter what your income is or was, or how hard it long it took to get there. Life is too short to be miserable, especially when you are young. I am probably close to one of the more “geriatric” folks on this board (yes, the 1169 is my month and year of birth) and my ONLY regret is not doing this 15 years ago.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Herbieherb]

I wish I could turn the clock back 10 years too…but I would still choose accounting. I would've worked harder in college to get a better start, and take the CPA exam more seriously instead of playing Warcraft for past 6 years LOL… Don't feel bad, my sister is a Dentist, and other sister is a pharmacist. I'm from an old fashioned asian family too and I know the same pressure. Pass the CPA for yourself, but it feels good to finally tell parents OK im a licensed professional now, are you happy?

NEW YORK- DONE

[Yvonne570]

Even if you regret going for your CPA, which is a marriage-like commitment, the designation is really nice to have regardless of what you want to be. A lot of CEOs have it. It's even valued internationally.

AUD - Passed:)
FAR - Passed:)
REG - Retake TBD
BEC - Missed by 3 points Retake TBD

[hopefulcpa06]

I agree with you, and though I'm only 22…I feel like I'm a “loser” b/c I'm always studying while two of my best friends are working for good companies. Further, it hurts more when you fail your exams, but here's how I look at it…

I'm only 22 (and you are only 28, you aren't old by any means), and I could forget all about CPA and work as an accountant. I would get similar to what my friends making and I'll be able to enjoy life. But at what costs? Sure, I have to go through hard times and cry often right now…but it'll be worth it. I'm not looking at CPA as source of higher source of money flow anymore, but rather as a challenge. If I pass this (no matter when that is), I'll be so happy…that I didn't give up and overcame one of my biggest challenge.

And you should be proud. CA is one of the toughest thing to do, and you've done it. It sucks that it doesn't translate to CPA, but you really should be proud. I'm Indian, and though I have received majority of education in America, I know how hard it is to become CA when passing rate is less than 5%. You should be proud that you have accomplished all this under the age of 30…don't be sad, and keep working at it!!

[MikeInMIA]

I think it has a lot to do with economic state. People doing hard work for accounting degree, masters, and cpa aren't finding as much reward / opportunity as some people did in the not distant past. The good jobs are all requiring 3-5years proper experience and new or semi-new graduates like myself are finding it hard to get the entry jobs. Technology (software design as mentioned) is one of the few careers that has momentum at the moment. Of course, doctors are always in demand. Lawyers like accountant are finding it hard during this time too.

For me, what I want to do is hiring but the problem is it asks for 3-5 years experience from a prior job that isn't hiring. So, I can't get the experience I need to move to the next job I want. The entry jobs that do proper training are hard to get because employers don't want to put out the money to train new people.

[NolaCpa2Be]

I agree that its rough. Most firms expect you to intern while in school. Some wont even look at your resume without an internship. Ive been applying for months and finally caught a break. Its at a small local firm, but it seems to be growing. I need the experiencs to get my license. So its worth it. But completeing any or all of the sections of the cpa exam looks great on the resume! So many firms have told me that they are having a hard time to push their current employees to take the exam. I guess what i am saying is: stick with it. If you don't enjoy accounting, then consider switching professions. Money isn't everything. But accounting is a faithful profession. There will always be a need for good accountants. In fact its one of the few professions that has survived the recession. It may take a while to get in the door, but once you are in, you are good. But don't choose a career just for the paycheck. You will be miserable for years, and then you will be in your 50s telling yourself that you missed so much of your life.

[Author]

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