[hili783]

I work for PwC and it is my first week working for them. I work from 8 am till 6 pm Monday to Friday.it takes about an 45 mins to drive from home to work and the same time going back home, so in total around 12 hours are out of my control. I talked to my boss about releasing me early like around 3 or 4 pm so I could have enough time to study, but he refused, so I asked him if I can study, but he also refused because I will have so much work and I won’t be able to study.

PLEASE EVERYONE, I need you advise, I am going to have my FAR exam in May and I am wondering if I should leave PwC and just get all my free time for studying, or I should keep working and give a try if I can handle both CPA and work.

FAR -
BEC -
REG -
AUD -

[Nathan Sims]

It is harder to study in peace and time is more scarce while being a parent. I never wanted to come across like I wasn't sympathizing with those facts. I also believe that there are mitigating factors that offset those hardships that aren't present for people with no children and vise versa. Again, I'm not arguing the time constraint. That is not an arguable issue. It is definitely more difficult for a person with kids to find that window of time. And constant interruptions during that time are certainly within the realm of probable. We all play the cards we are dealt and although it may seem “harder” for parents, how do you know it wouldn't be just as hard without your support system and daily reminders and blessings of a family to keep you motivated? (Although possibly not) Just because someone is single doesn't mean they don't work full time or go to the gym daily, or make time to visit family, etc. Just because it isn't kids they are juggling, doesn't mean it isn't some other form of “kid”. I am not blessed with having custody of my child. Trust me when I say this, I'd rather have her here bothering me everyday while I try to study then not.

But, yes, I agree with parents on the issue of finding time and having interruptions. Other than that, single people shop, clean, have family, etc. Just because it isn't their child, doesn't mean they don't have a “child”.

I tip my hat to all you who have a family and are pursuing or have passed the exam. Not an easy task by any means. Kudos^2. Respect and much love to everyone in this forum. We all have something in common that will forever bind us, the CPA exam!

[Anonymous]

So…hard….to….resist….*gagging* *turns into the hulk* *ROOOOAAAARRRRRRR* Ok, so I just got a chance to catch up on the this thread and dear God….the assertion made by “single” people in this thread that studying for CPA is just as hard (or harder) without a family/wife/kids/etc as it is with a family/wife/kids/etc, was a shotgun blast of stupidity straight to my face. I have never been so horrified to be lumped in with a “group”. I happen to be single with a girlfriend, but no kids to worry about (to my knowledge — *fingers crossed*). I took the exam while I was in school so all I had was homework and CPA studying…peace of cake. To put a cherry on top — my girlfriend was also studying for the CPA so I didn't have to explain to my partner why I was buried in my books all the time. I'm aware that I had it easy, I can't BELIEVE that there are people who think studying with a family is comparable to studying while single. One person was saying that they'd think it was nice to get a reprieve and hug his family or dance with his daughter or something. If you want a hug, call your Mom; if you are single and studying for the CPA, your situtaiton is easier than a sorority girl at Mardi Gras with a bikini top on. GTFO, people…the people who did this with a family are my f***king heroes. No idea how you people did it.

[Minimorty]

Annnnnd……he's back! Welcome back, bud.

[Nathan Sims]

Heroes, indeed. Thank you, BaseballCPA for putting it so eloquently.

Only school and CPA. Must have been a piece of cake.

Easy to judge when you had no responsibility outside of academia.

[Anonymous]

Ha, thanks, Mini. No matter how hard I try, some comments will just irk me. I mean, I get where these people are trying to come from, but there just no way you can compare to studying with a family to studying while being single. I think Jared said it earlier, “that may be your opinion, but your opinion is wrong”.

NMSims — While I'll take what I am perceiving to be your passive agressive comment in passing, know that I wasn't railing on you specifically as a person. I'm very sorry that you lost custody of your daughter, but subscribing to that school of thought is just…so wrong. To your point, going to the gym daily or seeing your family (i.e., parents, daughter over whom you do not have custody, etc.) is your “kid”, so-to-speak. Well if you choose to you can sacrifice those “kids” without being grossly negligent, you cannot sacrifice the care of your CHILD under any circumstances. So, sorry if you didn't like my comment, but I think you have to agree here.

[Nathan Sims]

I see your point. One love.

And for the record, I did not post the custody issue for sympathy. I am blessed and believe everything happens for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Best of luck to you on your exam, though. I hope you overcome any obstacles that you have in your life and beat this thing down.

[Nathan Sims]

Appreciate that. Hopefully all on my first attempt like you did. Props.

[Anonymous]

Again…I had it pretty easy. But thanks.

[sacredtheory]

This thread is full of win

I like Mini and Baseball…kind of makes me feel bad about what happened to the Nobama thread.

I can relate to what Jeff said earlier. There's been times when my wife took the kids away for the day and left me home alone to study, and many of those times it was so tempting to be a blob (and let's be honest, a few of those times I became the blob…pizza delivery and watching Wayne's World for the 500th time anyone?).

But having to motivate myself to study when alone is a walk in the park when having to find time away from my kids and associated responsibilities in order to study. I wake up, go to work, come home, make/eat dinner with the family, read books to my kid(s), give my daughter a bath, spend time with our infant son while the wife puts the daughter to bed, and oh snap, it's 9pm already. Ugh. I can deal with ignoring extended family and friends in order to study, just like you single people, but having to ignore my kids tears me up.

BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed

Jared

[tmw0918]

I just study, eat, sleep, and make time for my daily blumpkin

[jeff]

A PwC'r is a ninja coaching client and she works until 10pm each night. She was lucky to get time off to go to the testing center. 8-6 is normal … Probably even considered “light” this time of year.

Be glad you have a rockin' Big 4 job and study at night. Grab my ninja planner and map out your week.

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

[mla1169]

I'm thinking we'll have to start a spin off thread called “my kids won't let me study for the CPA”.

Nothing worse than a boss whose age is under 18 😉 (although my oldest is approaching 19 and not showing less signs of being a PITA)

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jjm1181]

Hi.

This thread was hijacked about 90 posts ago. It was funnier when we were mocking the person being mad at her job for not letting her studying during office hours. That was fun.

I'm only married…no kids…can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be with kids running around. I agree that you have it worse.

I applaud you married people with your 8 kids, 2 cats, 1 dog, 2 fish, dirty diapers, puking toddlers, soccer games, lack of sleep and overall busy schedule. Your chaotic life keeps the pass rates low and increases the curve I need to pass.

Thank you for having so many babies and making my CPA exam experience a little easier. I would like to dedicate my 75 on AUD to you all. Without you fine people, I probably would have received a 72 (even though they claim it's not curved).

But seriously….thank you. 🙂

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Anonymous]

hili783, you must have really impressed PWC employers to get hired. Wow! Congratulations! I have to agree with the advice provided to you: Do not quit your job. The experience is required to be licensed as a CPA anyway, so you are in a good position to obtain that experience. As you may have noticed, many cpa candidates here are hard-working and very ambitious. Many have a full-time job and/or a family but managed to pass the cpa exam. I often find myself amazed at their drive and willingness to succeed. I admire all these people. They must be very intelligent. I think you are also intelligent and will do well with the exam. Good luck.

[Author]

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