[northeastguy33]

Hey all,

I have been in financial services/sales (series 7/63, CFP, that kind of thing) since graduating in 2003 with a bachelors in Accounting. I have taken the necessary course work through an MBA program as well, and am thinking about taking the CPA exams next year to give myself more options career wise as I get older. I am currently studying for the Enrolled Agent exam (passed part 1, working on part 2 now) and hope to have that wrapped up by January.

I am a pretty good test taker, but am wondering if my prolonged break from focusing on accounting will really set me back in studying for the CPA. I have no real world accounting experience. I will basically be going in cold. Is it possible for me to pass the exams with this background? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

[ijustwant76]

It's not impossible, but I think it's easier if you have work experience. Others have passed CPA out of college, so it's do-able.

[10keyLeah]

I have a BS in Accounting, no MBA, and I passed without any real world accounting experience. I maybe had to do a little extra leg work in some areas to really understand a topic, but it is possible. Be sure that you want to start the CPA journey. If that is what you want to do, then go for it.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[StephAV]

I graduated in '05 and made a half hearted attempt at the exams back then and failed in the 50's. I work as a senior accountant for an npo and have a few years of audit experience before that. My experience was helpful for my big picture comprehension, but my experience is primarily no and government so I still had a lot to learn. I'm sure you could do it.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[Tux]

There are plenty of people in this forum who've been out of school much longer than you (including me), and we're doing fine – Actually passing the CPA exams.

You're way ahead of the curve.

Many people are doing this as a career change from a totally unrelated field (like me), so the fact that you have an MBA, CFP, and almost an EA, shows that you'll do just fine.

I would recommend that you start with FAR, then take AUD, then either REG or BEC – the last two in either order.

But, I highly recommend that you start with FAR because it's the biggest, and I wouldn't want you to use up too much of the 18 month time limit with too much time on this monster.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[MBAin2014]

I'm sure you can do it. I was in a similar boat — BBA with major in accounting in 2003, 45 years old, MBA over the past 12 months and started studying and taking CPA exams in May with just the Wiley Test Books. I do believe the MBA courses helped me a little but it comes down to studying and making sure you understand the concepts. I did use the Ninja free materials for Auditing in addition to my books and bought the Ninja MCQ for FAR. I found the Ninja materials helpful because they provide some topic emphasis vs. the books which contain so much material.

The most difficult part for me has been feeling stupid — it is the first time in my life that I've walked out of an exam not having a clue how I did. I was certain I failed BEC (88) and REG (91) and nailed AUDIT (83 — was expecting a 93). FAR left me feeling utterly devastated and I hope to be surprised with a passing score on 11/24 but if it is the first one I've failed, so be it, there's always round two.

BEC 88 (05/14)
REG 91 (07/14)
AUD 83 (08/14)
FAR 90 (10/14)

[Author]

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