[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.

[Quinacridone]

I'm really shocked with anyone who would say you're too old. When I divorced my ex 7 years ago, I was 38/39 and had no marketable skills. I had worked as a professional artist since my early 20s.

I started some accounting classes with the goal of just trying to get to the end of a BA program while raising my two kids. In these past 7 years, I've gotten my MAC, and have been working as an auditor for the last 4 years. If you have the drive, the ambition, the skill sets, and you know how to market yourself, then by all means press forward! Don't count us out – employers are out there who want someone just like us.

My ex said I'd come crawling back to him…

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[jrosen92770]

43 and one more test to go. Lots of sacrifices to this point, but it's worth it.

BEC - 5/26/2013 75
REG - 8/31/2013 82
AUD - 11/24/2013 74, 2/9/2014 92
FAR - 5/25/2014 85

NY CPA

[Anonymous]

When I told my family I was going back to college in my mid-thirties, they all had the same response. “Are you crazy? You'll be nearly 40 when you graduate.” Then I told my grandmother and she said “Good”. I asked her why she didn't call me crazy and say I'd be nearly 40 when I graduated. She had the greatest response ever.

“Oh, so you've found the fountain of youth. If you never graduate from college, you will never turn 40! Guess what? 40 is coming with or without a degree so you might as well have one.”

She was a smart lady!

[CPA50]

Never give up – never surrender, and never listen to naysayers!

I will be taking my first CPA exam – AUD – on April 25th, two weeks after my daughter turns 10 and 2 weeks before I turn 50!

I am a Certified Fraud Examiner and want to be able to do more expert witness testimony. It's always worth having additional education and credentials. And, as a bonus, my daughter gets to see her mom take on a tough test.

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[fuzyfro89]

When do you hope to retire? If the exam takes you 3 years from graduation (includes a reasonable pace and also for a few retakes), then you'll be around 52. Even if you retire at age 60, that gives you a minimum of an 8 year career with your CPA.

I'm not sure how much money you make right now, and what area you live in, but in a mid sized market (Charlotte or larger) you could reasonably expect to make 75-100k on an annual basis by the end of 8 years.

The real kicker is being able to retire and continue helping out at a tax office for one quarter per year or on a part time basis and make a solid wage even after you retire.

[Jasper]

I'm in my mid 40's and recently passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam. There may be a few more obstacles for me to get my license. I decided to go for the CPA license because I was having a tough time finding employment.

I hope it works.

But getting back to you… Why the hell not? Go for it! Do not compare yourself to others. They're the apples and you are the orange. There are no cookie cutter standard regardless of whatever the naysayers may say.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[Nuffsaid]

10 interviews, and no job? Who's to say having passed the CPA didn't land you the interview…To the OP, I have no idea if it's worth it to you, but if you are good at interviews, you'll probably be able to leverage it to your advantage. 😉

[Anonymous]

I am glad to have found this forum. I started my journey to becoming a CPA at 39 — in 2010. My initial target was to finish all business and accounting requirements and pass all exams in 2014. With a non-business degree, I started taking one accounting class (under a tight budget) at a time while being a stay-at-home mom. Major life events happened in later part of 2012. So I didn't go to back to school until Fall of 2013. I am about to finish all accounting requirements this May and will have to take business courses. I will be 43 at year end. The same question that haunts me while studying — Is it worth in 40s? Seems to me that a lot of positive minds are here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I have found a renewed spirit. It's the will that matters in the end, not the age. I hope to hear more of your challenges and success stories as well.

[CPA50]

Hang in there! I earned my bachelors in speech in…wait for it…1985! I will be 50 in a few weeks and just took AUD. I'm glad you're on this journey with the rest of us. Enjoy!

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[MydnightDarkfyre]

41 here. Graduating with my Masters in 2 weeks. Just got my NTS and scheduled FAR for July 1st.

Oh, and accepted my Big 4 offer and I start July 16. 😉

So I am proof that they are NOT just looking for young grads – don't let anyone tell you otherwise and discourage you!

And just as an FYI, I am a career switcher with no real prior accounting experience – was formerly a computer programmer.

FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

GA Licensed CPA 8/7/2015

CISA: 564 (PASSED) 6/11/2016 - Certification pending

[Anonymous]

taking FAR on Jul 1 as well and starting big 4 job on july 30 🙂 and turning 36 this summer!!!

[Anonymous]

My hat's off to you for being a grad student. Go for the CPA!

I earned my BA in accounting last December at the ripe old age of 41. I passed AUD and BEC in February, and took FAR earlier this month (still awaiting my score). REG is scheduled in May.

CPAs are in demand. A MAcc/CPA will open even more doors. We may not be in our early 20's anymore, but still have many years (hopefully) to provide valuable service to our employers and clients. And we have learned a few things along the way that some younger people have yet to learn. Geez that makes me sound OLD!

Go out and get it!

[Anonymous]

I went back to school at 40 after running kitchens for years. Got my bachelors in accounting and landed a job before I graduated. The owner basically hired me on the spot and said “I like your maturity”. I am now a senior accountant (auditor) with three years experience and I am working on my MBA in accounting with a finance concentration. I have applied for jobs and I always get at least an interview. I have had offers but I choose my current job. I raised three kids and the youngest is going to high school later this year so what else would I do with my time. I would not even consider not taking the CPA exam. I work with a firm where most of the employees could be my children but they look at me like I am having fun in life and the age difference does not get in the way. I am a firm believer in two things. You will turn whatever age you put as old, it only matters what you do with the time that matters. Also, age is a number not an attitude. I see 24 year olds that are miserable and I see 80 year olds that are happy and still learning new things. I know this post is 9 months old but I hope that the original poster has passed a couple parts at least and realizes to never give up on yourself and the rest will work itself out.

[Anonymous]

For what it is worth….

I went to school but sat for the exam some 10 years later. I am now 51 years old. Been a CPA for 18 years. Worth it and gives you job security especially in Industry. Meaning, your resume will get looked at. Either you are or are not a CPA. I have never been without a job. Been fired for no fault of my own and picked up a new job in a week. CPA credentials makes a difference and sets you apart.

I have a philosophy background of all things as well. No Public Experience but Industry and Governmental. Advanced Excel and VBA. Keep learning!

All the best!

[Phough]

I thank God I came upon this website. I am finishing my masters of science in accounting and finance and before that I got my MBA. I am 55 years old. The biggest question in my head at this point is whether I am wasting my time and resource trying to be a CPA at my age. So I just threw the question out there into the internet and came upon Another 71.com. It's all I ever wanted since I entered the accounting field 25 years ago. But like so many, I had a family to raise and support which left little time for a professionaI career. And I did not have the support from my spouse. I only have me and my 16 and 1/2 hear old kid now with plenty of time on my hands. I finished the Becker CPA review last month and will began taking the CPA exams this summer. I have only a few hurdles to get over before that point. One is to get a job in the field again. And two is to build relationships with a few CPA's to prove that I am worthy of their recommendation which is what's required here in North Carolina. But I will not lose faith. I have the rest of my life for this pursue and it feels great.

But thank you guys for being out there. Any advice you can send my way will be greatly appreciated.

[Author]

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