[Hut-Hut]

I have two cousins that graduated May 2011. Before starting EY in Sep 2011, they sat for 3 exams in August, passed all 3, and took the 4th in Nov and passed. I couldn’t be happier. But man, my freakin’ parents lol. I hoped they wouldn’t find out but they recently did. First thing they said: “They passed all 4 tests within 6 months, and you’ve passed 3 in…. what has it been? Almost 2 years now?” They don’t want to say it, but you can definitely tell from the looks on their faces that they’re thinking “Jeez son, are you an idiot?” Then the questions begin. “How were they able to finish that fast? Isn’t this supposed to be a hard test? Why is it taking you so long?” ugghh so frustrating. It took a lot of energy not to spit on them lol.

They’re normally supportive of my work/study schedule, but what caught them off guard and triggered these questions were my cousins taking and passing 3 tests in August. I tell them that it’s not unheard of when you don’t go to school and have nothing else to do (sure, it’s still tough but not impossible). The best part was when they asked, “Is it possible they cheated?” I almost lost it. I had to explain to them literally for an hour (an hour that I could’ve been studying) that they did not cheat (it is possible to some degree, but a serious CPA candidate is not going to risk it). Their attitude is basically insulting my intelligence and the certification process. I know that’s not their intention, but it’s still annoying. My main purpose of passing now is to shut them up lol.

So yeah, please share some annoying/frustrating stories of your support system lol. I’d love to hear what you guys go through. If someone is not a CPA candidate, he/she will never truly understand what we go through, which is why this site is awesome.

BEC - 67, 79 - (expires 5/24)
REG - 74, 72, 77 - Key to Passing: RTFQ
FAR - 77 - Chance favors the prepared mind.
AUD - 64, (5/14) - FREEDOM!! (i hope)

[Mom2two]

@JoMarie, sorry to hear about the annoying dinner yesterday. Family is tough and it seems to sting that much more when they are unsupportive. I know, I am in a very similiar situation as to family not understanding. 🙁 So let's conquer this thing in 2012 and prove them all wrong!

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[yankeeaccountant]

Hut Hut

I am really sorry that your mom isn't on board. I would say that part of my process and struggle was a direct result of my hubby's lack of enthusiasm for my pursuit of the CPA. It ended up being a topic we avoided. After I passed bec and far, then I failed audit twice, he told me that I needed to learn how to take the exam. Ugh. Talk about a kick in the pants!!!

Try not to let them get to you and most importantly don't let that pressure hurt you, try and use it to finish. That is easier said than done….I know!

I am pulling for ya on audit. You can get to the finish line!

[yankeeaccountant]

Hut Hut

I am really sorry that your mom isn't on board. I would say that part of my process and struggle was a direct result of my hubby's lack of enthusiasm for my pursuit of the CPA. It ended up being a topic we avoided. After I passed bec and far, then I failed audit twice, he told me that I needed to learn how to take the exam. Ugh. Talk about a kick in the pants!!!

Try not to let them get to you and most importantly don't let that pressure hurt you, try and use it to finish. That is easier said than done….I know!

I am pulling for ya on audit. You can get to the finish line!

[LisafutureCPA]

Whoever can sit back and make all those non sense comments is clearly NOT a person that knows the meaning of sacrifice, persistance and reaching goals. I'm blessed that I had my family supporting me but I found some of my “friends” that have no goals or aspirations saying things like, “when are you going to be done”…”the test can't be that difficult”, etc.

To all of you that are still going, please come to this forum and completely ignore your non supportive family members or so called “friends”. You'll show them later on what it means to have those 3 letters aftter your name!

FAR - 80
REG - 80
AUD - 81
BEC - 74, 74, 77, done & licensed!!!!!

[jomarie]

You said it Lisa!!! My husband and I just had that conversation last night.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. My mom's husband is a CPA so they were generally very supportive, as were my in laws. What was funny (not so much at the time) was how many people, mostly in imposing their agenda, would say things like “you'll pass, you're so smart- you can take a break and help me (insert chore here)”. For context, I passed the first three sections I took without a problem, but failed FAR twice before finishing. So while I was studying for FAR the third time, and people would implore me to take time away, let's just say I stopped being polite.

My point is, no one has any idea what you are going through; even others taking the exam may have different experiences. I only passed FAR when I decided to eat, sleep, work, p***, s***, and study, and nothing else. I had to go all Spartan, in spite of being “so smart” in the eyes of others.

As my favorite basketball coach says, “to get to the prize, you have to go through the fire, and you have to go through it over and over again.”

[xxgoodluck]

hey @jomarie, you are so brave!

May 28th is my birthday and i will pray for you to pass your May 29th exam!!

YOU WILL DO IT!!!

[Tina82]

Grandma – have you seen x lately? Me: no time, studying. Grandma: When I went to college I was raising three kids. Yeah, no answer to that one.

Sister – what are you doing? Me: studying. Sister – you're such a loser, all you do is study. Me – well it's work & study. Sister – I go to school, play softball and volleyball, and do my homework until midnight. Ughhh

Mom- what are you up to? Me: Studying. Mom – I can get your laundry and drop it off later in the week (I have no waching machine in my apt). Awesome 🙂 And she works all the time.

R - 74;88
A - 84
B - 74;89
F - no study = 67; May 15 = 87 & done

[jomarie]

Only Mom's understand. I miss mine 🙁

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[jenuno01]

Is it selfish of me not to tell my family or friends the exact date of my exam? Obviously I can't keep it away from my boss because the company pays for the NTS, but I would if I could. I think the less people know about the date of your exam, the less pressure you'll feel, unless you are in constant need of support and reassurance.

Whenever my family or friends ask about my exam date, I just say I haven't scheduled it yet 🙂 Everyone eventually finds out if I passed because I'll blast it on my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Msn, Zenga, Tumblr, etc lol

Class of 2012

[Hut-Hut]

@princesskimber I'm still surprised when peotple say sh** like that. I don't understand why lol. Are you trying to encourage me? Open my eyes to face reality? Make me think I'm a failure? Because it's not working. All you're doing is being a jerk.

@JoMarie Yeah, those dinner conversations can be frustrating, especially when they're being pessimistic about it. The best thing to do (which you probably know by now) is to avoid the debbie downers as much as possible. Just keep pushing! 2012 is your year!!

@Yankee Thanks for the support!

@Tina haha when did studying get associated being a loser? tell your sister she's the loser.

@Jenuno Nah man, it's not selfish at all. It definitely takes the pressure off. If you do need the support or reassurance, then tell them, but it's perfectly fine to tell them you haven't scheduled it yet. I tell my family and close friends 2/3 weeks prior so that they'll know not to bother or invite me to anything.

BEC - 67, 79 - (expires 5/24)
REG - 74, 72, 77 - Key to Passing: RTFQ
FAR - 77 - Chance favors the prepared mind.
AUD - 64, (5/14) - FREEDOM!! (i hope)

[pacific1]

@juno – I used to tell people but now I don't, my husband knows and I try to schedule them for the weekend so work doesn't even have to know!

[jenuno01]

@Pacific – that's a good strategy. It makes sense for your significant other to know when your test is, but other than that, it is nobody elses' business…It honestly just stresses me out even more for people to ask.. “Are you ready for exam?, How long have you studied?, Can you re-take it if you fail?, Have you gotten your score yet? (this is the worst!)”, Do you love this $h*t?, Are you high right now?, Do you ever get nervous?…”

Class of 2012

[pacific1]

I hate the “have you gotten your score yet”…and then once I do the “oh you will get it next time”. I know they have the best intentions it just kinda seems like a knife in the back each time you hear it.

[jomarie]

Or better yet. Hours after the exam, “how did it go?” I think that's the worst!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Author]

Replies