[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.

[Missy]

Leon regarding your statement about most people in their 40's and 50's having plateau'd in their careers there's an element of truth. But in this day and age of mergers, acquisitions and downsizing more 40-60 year olds find themselves thrown back into the job market than ever before. See how many people you know over 45 who have switched jobs and ask them how the search was. It's hell. Makes the exam look like a cake walk having done both and the exam was pretty rough on me. As hard as it is in that age group try replicating a management level position and salary without a license when you're competing against kids who have one and will take the job for 75% of what you're asking.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Tell me about it. I met one of my best friends that way. She is turning 70 either this year or next. In 2012, at age 64'ish, she went back to work. She'd retired 5 years before that – she'd written a book, and the story was optioned by one of the big movie studios. The movie version of the book never got made and they dropped the option. She was thinking she was going to
have a very comfy old age. It didn't quite happen. She started running out of money. She had to go back to work, and that's how I met her. Eventually, they let her go, and although she has found other jobs since, none of them have lasted too long. She's still out hustling for positions…I'm a reference for her and prospective employers sometimes call me. She has a mortgage and bills just like everyone else, and not much money to pay them with. Unemployment gives maximum $450 a week in California ($405 after fed tax deducted.) That barely pays your rent/mortgage and buys groceries and fills up your car with gas.

[Missy]

I'm very lucky that the vultute capital, errr venture capital company that bought my company thinks highly enough of me to create a position for me after letting everyone else go and moving operations out of state. They're letting me work from home. I'm looking for something else but at least not unemployed.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Mona S.]

I say go for it. Don't let your age discourage you. I'm 34 years old. Zero accounting experience and I'm going for the CPA. I passed FAR, so I have 3 more to go.

FAR - 77 ( March 2018)  Wiley

REG - 88 ( May 2018)     Wiley + NINJA Monthly

BEC - 81 (July 2018)      Wiley + NINJA Monthly

AUD - 83 (Sept 2018)     Wiley

[Anonymous]

Yeah, yet another conundrum about the whole CPA exam process. You may never have worked a day of accounting in your life but if you pass the exams – and then work later – you're licensed.
I don't know. I gave up trying to figure out the AICPA's logic ages ago, mainly because there is very little of it. Seasoned auditors and CFOs who got licensed many years ago couldn't pass FAR or AUD if they tried. And yet, a newbie graduate who has never had a job outside being a checker at a local supermarket knocks them both out in 7-8 weeks. No other credential is this way. And yet it's considered to be a prestigious credential. SMH.

[Julia]

@sacpa: hi! Saw u on AUD thread! I say if u want to do it & ur willing to commit the time. Do it! I'm 40 & super excited bout doing this!
I lucky to have a supportive hubby. That makes a diff, but even still I wud make it work. Cuz it's something I wanted for me.
I have been in audit since I graduated many years ago. I'm hoping FAR & AUD will not be too bad.

B- 74, 84

A- 75

R- 74, 81

F- 09-07-18

[sacpa]

@Julia: Responded to your post in AUD thread. Don't get me wrong. I am very determined to achieve my goal, come what may. That's the reason I am still hanging out in this forum. Having come this far, I cannot forgive myself if I don't continue.

I work during tax seasons. I have neither worked in Audit nor done a course. In the beginning, it was all new. But now Audit makes lot of sense. This is not my 1st attempt.

Winners don't quit. Quitters don't win.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[Author]

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