[parisaaa]

I started studying for the CPA exam 3 years ago… I took FAR twice, scored 67 the first time and 71 the second time. I was so discouraged afterwards that I gave up. I am TRYING to get started again and pass this time around. Today is actually day one of studying for FAR, but I find myself disinterested and easily distracted. I am starting to question whether this is even for me. I don’t love accounting, and I actually don’t even like it. But I’ve been in the field since I graduated from college. I work for a private company and getting my CPA would really help me grow in my career. My goal in life is to be successful and make lots of money, so I NEED this… Has anyone else experienced these same feelings and were able to overcome it?

[mla1169]

Think about what you'd like to do. There are plenty of other ways to be wildly successful besides getting a CPA. If you dislike accounting (not that anybody LOVES it) it's going to be an uphill battle to further a career you don't even want.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Think about what you'd like to do. There are plenty of other ways to be wildly successful besides getting a CPA. If you dislike accounting (not that anybody LOVES it) it's going to be an uphill battle to further a career you don't even want.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I went through the same path as you. I started the exam in the fall 2008 – passed BEC with a 75 then failed REG with a 71. From there it went down hill and I failed REG again, failed FAR, didn't show up for my FAR retake, and failed AUD, and quit after failing REG for a 3rd time in January 2010.

After that, I gave up and at the time, never intended to go back and try again. The utter failure was part my fault for not studying enough and part Becker just wasn't the right program for me. I never really studied and I was using Becker which turns out was not the right option for me (I spent too much time focusing on what to highlight or underline and not enough on what they were teaching).

Didn't even consider taking the exam again until my husband and I had a chat in Fall 2011 about how it would be good for my career and our family if I could get my CPA. At that point I waited for busy season to come and go, then in June 2012 I was told that I would be promoted the following July 1 as long as I was a CPA by then. Work now offered CPAExcel so I ordered that and decided I would really try this time.

I spent all my free time studying and really put the effort in this time. I started studying at the end of June then did the following:

– REG exam August 31 (passed)

– FAR exam November 16

– was studying for AUD when I found out mid-December I failed FAR with a 74 (most soul crushing thing ever)

– went back to FAR, reviewed like crazy and retook the exam January 4

– busy season started and I went back to studying for AUD

– AUD exam January 26 (passed)

– took February off from the exam because we're way to busy at work, found out I passed AUD late February – I also used February to get my work experience form signed, take the Ethics Exam, and make sure the CT board had my transcripts

– started studying for BEC first weekend in March

– BEC exam April 20 (the last day I could take it and still get my score in wave 1)

– got my final passing score on May 3

Don't give up. It's amazing to be on this side of the exam. Try to forget about your first time through – that's what I had to do. Figure out what went wrong the first time, make sure you're using the right review software for your learning style (Jeff is always posting links to trials, check some out if you're not sure which to use). For me it was all about focus. I literally gave up my life for that year, but it was worth it.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I went through the same path as you. I started the exam in the fall 2008 – passed BEC with a 75 then failed REG with a 71. From there it went down hill and I failed REG again, failed FAR, didn't show up for my FAR retake, and failed AUD, and quit after failing REG for a 3rd time in January 2010.

After that, I gave up and at the time, never intended to go back and try again. The utter failure was part my fault for not studying enough and part Becker just wasn't the right program for me. I never really studied and I was using Becker which turns out was not the right option for me (I spent too much time focusing on what to highlight or underline and not enough on what they were teaching).

Didn't even consider taking the exam again until my husband and I had a chat in Fall 2011 about how it would be good for my career and our family if I could get my CPA. At that point I waited for busy season to come and go, then in June 2012 I was told that I would be promoted the following July 1 as long as I was a CPA by then. Work now offered CPAExcel so I ordered that and decided I would really try this time.

I spent all my free time studying and really put the effort in this time. I started studying at the end of June then did the following:

– REG exam August 31 (passed)

– FAR exam November 16

– was studying for AUD when I found out mid-December I failed FAR with a 74 (most soul crushing thing ever)

– went back to FAR, reviewed like crazy and retook the exam January 4

– busy season started and I went back to studying for AUD

– AUD exam January 26 (passed)

– took February off from the exam because we're way to busy at work, found out I passed AUD late February – I also used February to get my work experience form signed, take the Ethics Exam, and make sure the CT board had my transcripts

– started studying for BEC first weekend in March

– BEC exam April 20 (the last day I could take it and still get my score in wave 1)

– got my final passing score on May 3

Don't give up. It's amazing to be on this side of the exam. Try to forget about your first time through – that's what I had to do. Figure out what went wrong the first time, make sure you're using the right review software for your learning style (Jeff is always posting links to trials, check some out if you're not sure which to use). For me it was all about focus. I literally gave up my life for that year, but it was worth it.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@parisaa I felt the same few years ago; I had personal struggles and even when I had a job that was good for the accounting field (financial auditor) I was not really happy. I remember had explored other options, even a change of career. The only fact of thinking to study again made me feel sick. Years passed and after my emotional core was healing I understood I was part of everything: I was an accountant, I was interested in other areas that were not related to this, and that all was part of who I'am… in summary tjhat I had talents, abilities and skills to do whatever I wanted to do. Life shouldnt be struggle..

I realized I wanted finish this accounting journey as a personal goal (I felt very very fortunate to see how US evaluated my profile and I was thinking NO WAY I will pass this), I'm excited thinking I can combine this skills with my passions, so I want to be entrepreneur once I finish this exams. (In a very different area). I feel that having business skills is really amazing, once that you talk to other people you know all the things you have learnt along the way and that is awesome!

Now I'm here, studying and I feel fine, tired, sometimes frustrated but I think the good feeling I will have once that I'm done.

Try to find your way, complete this and you will know how useful it will be in your journey! (I love Steve Jobs video about it.. about things you do but you don't know how useful they will be later) But search things you are passionated about sametime, and start thinking how you can do it.. and keep them in mind! Money will come naturally..

Wish you the best

[Anonymous]

@parisaa I felt the same few years ago; I had personal struggles and even when I had a job that was good for the accounting field (financial auditor) I was not really happy. I remember had explored other options, even a change of career. The only fact of thinking to study again made me feel sick. Years passed and after my emotional core was healing I understood I was part of everything: I was an accountant, I was interested in other areas that were not related to this, and that all was part of who I'am… in summary tjhat I had talents, abilities and skills to do whatever I wanted to do. Life shouldnt be struggle..

I realized I wanted finish this accounting journey as a personal goal (I felt very very fortunate to see how US evaluated my profile and I was thinking NO WAY I will pass this), I'm excited thinking I can combine this skills with my passions, so I want to be entrepreneur once I finish this exams. (In a very different area). I feel that having business skills is really amazing, once that you talk to other people you know all the things you have learnt along the way and that is awesome!

Now I'm here, studying and I feel fine, tired, sometimes frustrated but I think the good feeling I will have once that I'm done.

Try to find your way, complete this and you will know how useful it will be in your journey! (I love Steve Jobs video about it.. about things you do but you don't know how useful they will be later) But search things you are passionated about sametime, and start thinking how you can do it.. and keep them in mind! Money will come naturally..

Wish you the best

[Guti]

parisaaa, Most people do not like what they do for a living, and that is the reason why it is call work. If not, it will be a hobby. I dont like what I do, I just like the things I do with the money I make from doing what I dont like to do 🙂

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

parisaaa, Most people do not like what they do for a living, and that is the reason why it is call work. If not, it will be a hobby. I dont like what I do, I just like the things I do with the money I make from doing what I dont like to do 🙂

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Anonymous]

@CR7 well actually say the truth.. you have a… sugar mama! 😀 that's your secret weapon! hahahaha…send you cold greetings from the North!!

[Anonymous]

@CR7 well actually say the truth.. you have a… sugar mama! 😀 that's your secret weapon! hahahaha…send you cold greetings from the North!!

[Guti]

cpaheream, lol Its cold here too, 78 degrees 🙂

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

cpaheream, lol Its cold here too, 78 degrees 🙂

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Author]

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