[Nelsonx5]

I am in the process of getting an MA in Accounting, but will be 49 by the time I finish it. I am debating taking the CPA exam at the end. Given that I will be almost 50 by the time I finish taking the exams (assuming I pass all on the first try!), is it worth it at that point? I had a career in my 20’s, then became a stay at home mom for 12 years, then went back to school for accounting. I have been working part time as an accounting assistant for 5 years, but other than that, no real experience.

[Anonymous]

Mayo: Respectfully, you are dead wrong. No one is promised tomorrow and no one knows how much time they have left on this earth.. It's just as possible for it “not to be worth it” for a 23 old as it is a 50 year old. There is no crystal ball and no one knows what is going to happen in the future. Dreams don't have an expiration date!

If I pass FAR and die the next day you can bet I will be doing my happy dance all the way to heaven!

[NoraU]

I am 53 (almost) and ESL. I am just starting this journey. I will do it for myself to prove I am worth something, but you never know… I love the support and encouragement people provide to each other on this forum. I do not see the same attitude in my everyday life.

BEC 05/12/14 77
REG 08/25/14 82
FAR 11/25/14 80
AUD 02/25/15 72, 05/15/15 98! DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

NoraU: Your worth is immeasurable WITHOUT the CPA…but..congratulations on your decision to pursue the CPA designation. I passed at 47! Good luck and remember you CAN do this and do not ever give up!

[Anonymous]

Yes! Do it for yourself at the very least. No one is guaranteed a job, regardless of age. And if I'm being perfectly honest, I would rather hire an older (35+) applicant than someone straight out of college. 20 somethings have a tendancy to bring more drama to the workplace (in my experience) and/or have more issues in their own personal lives, which affects their work life. They also tend to be more cut throat because they are still proving to themselves, while trying to prove to everyone else, that they deserve things (raises, perks), when they have not yet earned them. I know this sounds harsh, but like I said, this is just MY experience.

[NoraU]

Thank you, BaxterCPA and CPAMommyof3! Your support means a lot!

BEC 05/12/14 77
REG 08/25/14 82
FAR 11/25/14 80
AUD 02/25/15 72, 05/15/15 98! DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gt5717b]

49 is the new 42.

Go for it!

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[Kimboroni]

I'm with the “you'll be 50 anyway” answers on this one. Although I'm slightly biased– I just turned 44 and am just finishing my accounting post-bac program, and just took my first section of the CPA exam. Also just got my black belt. So I feel like you're never too old to reinvent yourself. I think it keeps us young.

I started reading a book about this a few years ago, actually– learning new things as you get older helps keep the synapses in the brain active, and this can prevent things like Alzheimers. It's called The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Guti]

50 is the new 25, hip hop is the new Rock, and Spain is the new Brazil in the world of Football.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Anonymous]

Just imagine if Jennifer Aniston and Matthew McConaughey were CPAs.

Holy molly, they would be hot CPAs!

They're (my age) both 44 now.

The only thing is, they're not CPAs. LOL

I guess my point is, 40+ is never that old!

[impska]

The CPA exam costs, at it's most expensive, not more than $5000 (and that's assuming you're buying the most expensive review course and have no discount) plus time. So in terms of straight up cost-benefits analysis, it's hard to not see the CPA being worth more than $5000 in compensation and opportunities over the next 20 years. It also happens to put you in a good place for a casual or seasonal retirement job.

The only argument against it is “Oh, you're too old to get a job anyway.” Yes, I suppose if you spend the next 20 years never finding a job, then it's $5000 down the drain (on the other hand, you'd have a lot of time to study…). Personally, I don't think that's realistic pessimism.

FYI – My mom got her PhD in Sociology after being out of the workforce for 20 years. She was over 50 and she got a good job. And there's a lot more demand for CPAs than there is for Doctors of Sociology.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Anonymous]

My father always told me that if you can't find a job…create one. Worked for me at least once. =)

[NoraU]

@CR7: OK I am 26 and a half – not bad!

BEC 05/12/14 77
REG 08/25/14 82
FAR 11/25/14 80
AUD 02/25/15 72, 05/15/15 98! DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NoraU]

@BaxterCPA: My father and my hero came to the USA at the age of 56 and he found a job related to what he was doing back in the country he came from ( but lower level). The company moved when he was 62. He got the job in another company in less then one month and worked there until he passed away at the age of 68.

BEC 05/12/14 77
REG 08/25/14 82
FAR 11/25/14 80
AUD 02/25/15 72, 05/15/15 98! DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

47 and waiting on my license. I work for a small CPA firm and love my job. I have a friend who got her license in her 50's. She's now an auditor for the state. She also loves her job. I don't think it's ever too late to pursue a new goal. What's the worst case scenario? You're a CPA for only 20 years as opposed to 40. Go get it!!!! 🙂

[Unstoppable]

NesonX5,

I am responding after 8 months or so. Hey, go get your CPA! It is a key for success and will certainly help you to get something. Start small initially to gain experience; don't expect big bucks rather than exposure; once you gain 1 -2 years of experience, you would see a huge jump!!!! So, go for it.

I worked for 20 years; had a great career but was laid off (in spite of being the best employee and for getting 6 MVP's and several star awards); Trust me, the company laid me off because I maxed out my salary and they were reluctant to give promotion since they needed CPA qualification. I did not find job for six months in spite of trying hard by all means. All that I needed was CPA! I and 49 and have just started studying for it even though my friends and past colleagues discouraged me!!! I may fail, will try over again and again until I succeed! I am unstoppable until I pass. I will come back to this message board and will give you the good news after I pass all 4 papers. Good luck!

[Author]

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