[Chantel]

I know I’ve seen a ton of post like this that are saying “Help I’m losing motivation”, but I just really want some feedback.

Sometimes, I honestly feel like this CPA exam isn’t the right path for me. I guess you could say I don’t have motivation, but also, I just don’t feel like devoting allll my time to studying for these exams. I feel like I’m missing out on things, I’m ready to have kids that I’m putting off because of it and etc.

I currently work at a CPA firm as a tax accountant and I love doing taxes, but I’ve always said I’m very open to other fields than public accounting such as in a company accounting office, hospital, or oil/gas (I live in Texas).

Also, this company also has three managers that aren’t even CPAs. Is that normal??

I don’t ever want to be a manager or a partner or anything that requires much less work/life balance. I could honestly be happy the rest of my life with the amount of money I make now.

With all that being said, am I just being lazy and giving up if I decide not to study for the CPA exam anymore? or maybe am I just not right for it?

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[jeff]

I changed the title of the post to help your response rate.

“Is it right for you” sounded like it could be viagra spam 🙂

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Chantel]

haha thanks! and I would have never related the two!

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[littlenumberrobot]

I guess you should start thinking about why you starting studying in first place. What were your goals and motivations then? And what has changed since? I ALWAYS think about why I am doing this and is it worth it. But at this point I just dont want to give up. I've put a lot of time, money, and effort. How long have you been going for this? For me it's 2 years. I love public accounting and yes I believe I need my license to excel and grow in that area.

I hope you figure out what you want so you can be happy. Everyone has different opinions.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

The knowledge is not wrong. But if you feel you don't need it, there's nothing wrong with that.

[mla1169]

The CPA exam is definately not right for everybody. That said I want to point out one thing. You say you could be happy on your current income forever AND you say you want to start a family. That was me, 25 years ago. As my family grew, I found myself not able to do things I wanted to do with them (Disney, day trips, etc.) I have no regrets mind you, but being a parent changes everything lol!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mrs 300]

It sounds like you are in the position that I was a few years ago. I, too, am in tax. And I also don't know if I ever want to become partner, etc. My only advice to you is that timing is everything. If you are feeling like you want to have kids now and that you're waiting to pass before you do so, have kids. It is very difficult to pass this exam (maybe impossible) if you are not 100% dedicated.

I'm at the point in my CPA journey where it's no longer even about me passing this damn test. It's about my pride and self-esteem and the fact that I've sacrificed so much of my time and my husband's time so that I could study. I don't want to look back in 20-30 years and feel like I should have just buckled down.

When I worked in Big 4, there were several managers that weren't CPAs. They were “grandfathered” in to the old rule (that you didn't need to pass to get promoted). Now you have to get a credential (either EA or CPA) to get promoted to manager in tax. At my current firm, you have to pass the CPA exam before you get promoted to Senior in Audit!

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[tbstew]

The answer to your main question “Is the CPA wrong for some people?” is simple – YES, it can be wrong for some people. In order to be willing to sacrifice the better part of 6-18 months (sometimes more) of your life to this whole maddening process, you really need to have strong motivation. You have to really want it. And I'm not saying “motivation” or “really want it” like this is some gatorade commercial. I mean in a practical, down-to-earth sense. If the circumstances of your life don't drive you to want the CPA enough to make the sacrifices, then it's probably not worth it for you.

Now behind that question, there's probably another: Is the CPA right for YOU? I don't think anyone can help you answer that. Only you can figure that one out. If you decide it's right for you, you've got plenty of people here who will support you. And if not, well, I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself.

Good luck!

P.S. You said “I'm ready to have kids that I'm putting off because of it and etc.” — I just want to mention, I started this exam process with a 2 year old, and we had our second son right between my 2nd and 3rd sections. While it certainly makes the exam (and life) more challenging, it's doable. If I could do it, you could too! Although granted it might be easier for a daddy than for a mommy. 🙂

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

[Chantel]

@littlenumberrobot Honestly, I've always been a person to succeed and take that extra mile in school, so when I realized if I wanted to graduate with accounting it was drilled in my head that you had to be a CPA to succeed in that. Also, I obviously thought about the money. What has changed is I realized that with that nice money comes long hours and much less work/life balance. I think the idea of a nice family and kids and not missing sports events and things like that changed. I've been studying for about a year now. I suppose our difference is you want to excel and grow with a company, I'm happy being staff with the money I make now.

@75 well put. Simple, yet very helpful.

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[Chantel]

Thanks for all the advice, it is really helpful. I just feel like people look at me like I'm just lazy and giving up, but it's honestly not that. From what you have all said, I see you do understand and CPA candidates and actual CPAs probably understand better than anyone else!

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[nearly_there]

I think CPA is a very good thing if you have a degree in accounting. It's like a logical conclusion to the path that you've been on since freshman year of college. I know that I definitely want to obtain it and would feel there was a void on my resume if I didn't. One thing to have a degree in accounting and another to be a CPA. Has a totally different ring to it. And believe me, it does matter.

It's also not a terribly difficult exam as some on here make it out to be. Yes its challenging and the fact that it takes so long to take it does cause fatigue and frustration, but it is not as difficult or stressful as some of the other tests out there. I spent about 2 years taking the LSAT. Now that's stress! Took it three times and studied for it full time. And I can tell you that CPA is nowhere near the challenge as what the LSAT was.

The point is, stop putting the exam on the pedestal. If you keep thinking that CPA is this terrible invincible beast, it really will be and you will struggle. The thing that you have to realize is that it's all completely in your control. It's a simple, albeit technical, test that if you sufficiently study for, you will pass. No ifs, buts, or whens.

FAR - 85 November 2011
AUD - 81 January 2012
REG - 68 March 2012
BEC - 86 April 2012
REG - 92 July 2012

[Anonymous]

if you're content with the possibility of not making more money and limiting your career choices in the field for the future, then thats fine. the exam is a PITA, but i do it because i know it will unlock many doors and opportunity. and i don't want kids….yet 🙂

[Anonymous]

@nearly_there

What does the LSAT have to do with the CPA exams? It's a completely different kind of test, not necessarily more difficult.

Some people are just not cut out to be lawyers.

[nearly_there]

@ 75

Exactly. Some people can never do well on the LSAT, no matter how hard they try. Not so with the CPA. If you put in the work, you will pass it.

FAR - 85 November 2011
AUD - 81 January 2012
REG - 68 March 2012
BEC - 86 April 2012
REG - 92 July 2012

[Marivy22]

@ Chantel,

There is nothing wrong to put on hold your career/education to start your family, as I did, but you are going to find yourself regretting about this decision later in life.

I just turned 32 last week, married and have 3 yrs old. Baby #2 is on hold until I finish this process.

This is my first time studying for the CPA exam, and to be honest it has been the best timing. I was not ready to put all the effort before, now is my time. But to be honest with you, for the last 12 months (since I started studying) I have been thinking about all the years that I have missed. I could have been a manager now instead of a financial analyst, etc….

How I keep myself motivated? I just think on all the better opportunities that will be available for me in the near future. By passing the CPA exam you are not letting others decide your career path. You will have a certification to open many doors either in private or public accounting.

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Chantel]

@nearly_there Thanks for the feedback, but I believe we have a whole different matter of opinion and view. I'm not putting the exam on a pedestal by any means, but it does take a lottt of time and effort and you have to put everything else on hold, which is what I feel like I don't necessarily want to do. And like 75 said, the LSAT has nothing to do with the CPA exam. And I know there is a big difference in CPA and having a degree in accounting, but to me I think based on your career goals and expectations, I'm just not sure if all the testing is worth it.

@marivy maybe later one after a kid, I'll decide that it's time for the CPA exam, but I don't honestly see that because even then I'll be losing family time and such studying studying studying. I think the one difference between you and I is.. you said you keep thinking I could be a manager by now… I don't think that because I don't want those hours.

I feel like there are a lot of options for accountants in other fields than public accounting without their CPA or so it seems so here in Texas. From looking at job postings, if you have experience, they don't seem to care if you are a CPA.

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[Author]

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