[Future-CPA]

Hello everybody,

Here is my story, I hate accounting with a passion(nice introduction in a forum where the majority have a passion for Accounting :)). I graduated with a BSBA in Finance with a concentration in Economics in 2004 and a Master’s in Finance in 2008. In school, I loved finance and hated accounting. For a finance major, I felt like accounting was the necessary evil us Finance people had to go through, i-e classes that were imposed to us not by choice but because we had to at least understand accounting to make it in the real world. After graduation though, I started working in corporate finance and couldn’t escape accounting anymore, I had to deal with Accounting on a daily basis and even now as an Analyst I spend my days reviewing financial statements. I’ve come to realize that Accounting is just part of my life and I should embrace it and maybe I will love it. (btw I aced all my accounting classes and the head of the Accounting dept. at my school tried to convince me to switch my major from Fin. to Accounting, I just had no interest in an Accounting career). I guess my question is , can one be a CPA if they do not have a passion for Accounting? I know its a weird question to ask, but I just wanted to get other people’s perspectives on this. Also, I realized that with all that education in Finance, I probably have about 3 accounting classes, so I need to take more Ac. classes before I can actually sit for the exam in my state. How hard is it for someone with a Finance backgroup to truly comprehend the Accounting issues/topics that are necessary to pass the CPA? I think one thing that turned me off of Accounting were journal entries, I just couldn’t understand that for the life of me 🙂 ( I know it’s very basic accounting, but it still doesnt make sense to me ). Thank you all for your input!

[porschify]

My take on this is that you shouldnt be a CPA if you dont have a passion for the profession. Having enough credits to sit for the exam and passing a test is one thing that someone could suffer through, but dont forget the CPE's that will follow you for as long as you hold the designation. If you dont have a passion for it, or even hate it as you have described, then I dont think it is the right profession for you. If your not going to give it your all to be a great CPA then you please stay away from it do not bring down the stature of the designation for those that have it.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[musicamor]

@Porschify…I agree with your first sentence, but not too sure how you deduced that the “stature of the designation would be brought down” by someone like Future-CPA acquiring the said designation. Yes, there are several aspect of holding the designation that require qualitative input versus quantitative input; however, the profession is largely a rule-based profession where, if one follows the rules, passion has very little to do with them being a successful CPA. You might want to re-think your statement there.

@Future-CPA…as I stated above, I agree with Porschify in that going through the rigorous preparation that is required to pass the exams does not make sense if you HATE accounting; I mean, yeah, you could get a job and make some money but if it is not your passion, you will only be harming yourself in the future; looking back on a career that you had no drive for. I do not believe you would discredit the profession by getting your CPA; however, think about you–your future and what makes you tick. You will feel more rewarded and fulfilled if you follow your heart.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Future-CPA]

Thank you guys for your input. I would like to also say I don't know how I could be a disgrace to a profession just because I don't like Accounting? I am pretty sure a lot of people have jobs in a field they don't particularly have a passion for?? The reason why I want to take the CPA is like I said in my first post, I repeat ” Though I hate ACCOUNTING, I can't ESCAPE it”, Accounting has followed me through my career and I have realized that I need to TRULY Underestand it, Give it some time and see if I love it and that is the only reason why I want to TACKLE this exam. I know it will not be fun because Iam not coming into this with the excitement and passion that most Accountants have, however I am a very dedicated person and If I put my mind into it, I can pretty much study anything ( reason why I aced Accounting in college even though I had zero passion for it). One other thing is I have wondered recently that maybe I hate Accounting because I do not know it, see I was convinced I took a lot of Acc classes in college, but after reviewing my trsncripts realized I only took 3 Acc.Classes, so maybe taking more Acc. classes, and understanding it will push me more towards LOve. Trust me people, I wouldnt do this and dedicate myself just for the hell of it, I am hoping that throughout the journey I can find somewhere some love for Accounting. Why? Because though my first love is Finance, I can not be really good at Finance unless I UNDERSTAND Accounting…. I hope I have not offended anyone with this not too much love for Accounting….

[porschify]

@musicamor I believe what I exactly said was “If your not going to give it your all to be a great CPA then you please stay away from it do not bring down the stature of the designation for those that have it.” Which is different than saying “stature of the designation would be brought down” by someone like Future-CPA acquiring the said designation.”

I didnt say Future-CPA would bring it down by acquiring it, what I did say is that if Future-CPA is not willing to put forth the effort that is required to do a good job, then Future-CPA should not obtain it because it would bring it down.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Future-CPA]

Where do you get that I wouldn't put in a good effort? Mediocrity is surely not my forte, and just because I dont have a passion for something doesnt mean I will be Mediocre at it? I don't know where you get that from what I said….

[Anonymous]

@porschify

I don't understand how you made the leap from disliking something to not wanting to put the effort into it. The two can be completely independent of each other. You can hate accounting but be a good accountant and you can love accounting but be completely horrible at it. Millions of people hate their jobs but are still good at what they do. I'm sure plenty of people, even on this forum, feel the way the OP does.

[nimmle02]

Where's the Drama Ninja when you need him?

REG - 5/21/2012 - 85
FAR - 7/24/2012 - 86
BEC - 8/27/2012 - 85
AUD - 10/5/2012 - 72....rematch 1/3/13 (waiting)

[Anonymous]

@Future CPA

I'm 23 yrs old, still in school, and have dedicated all of my higher education to accounting so I'm coming from a different point-of-view, but I say go for it. The CPA credential can open a lot of doors for you, and if you're willing to put in the time and effort I don't see any way would you be bringing down the “stature of the designation”.

I've taken 2 elective finance courses in the graduate program I'm in now and definitely see the benefit of having an accounting background. In my opinion it would give you a big leg up among those in your field.

[Marivy22]

@Future-CPA,

I'm with you..Look at me I am a proud CPA 😉

I am a financial analyst as well – BA in Finance and Master in Accounting. If you want to compete in the Accounting/Finance environment I will encourage you to get the CPA designation. Without the CPA after your name, your chances of getting a promotion to a manager or controller position in a “good/big” corporation are very low. Personally, I want to succeed in my professional career, so I made the effort and sucked the CPA reviews and exams for a full year……….12 months of studying +6 exams = CPA 😉

Do it!!!!!!!!! You don't have to love accounting; you just have be conscious that it is a long process.

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

[Future-CPA]

Thank you for the words of encouragement emu13 and Marivy22. I think anyone in Corp.Finance will agree that Finance and Accounting are closely linked and to move up the ladder in Finance you need a thorough understanding of Accounting Principles and that has been my weakness as I don’t particularly care for Accounting I have never really invested in learning more on it besides what was generally required. I have managed to move up without understanding a lot of Core Accounting Concepts, I have one of those brains that allow to me perfectly repeat a process when I see it and that is how I have been getting by in Finance without the Accounting Core Concepts, I can open a spreadsheet , look at how the numbers were calculated the previous year and perfectly replicate it without even having a clear understanding of the concept. I am at a point though, where I feel like I need this understanding and a more solid Accounting background and that is why I am considering the CPA, it is not out of love I’d admit, but out of Need. I need Accounting to be better in doing what I love. I also feel like throughout this process I might start liking it better, I doubt I’d ever love it but I can certainly at least tolerate it 

[musicamor]

@porschify–now you're trying to spin your intial comment. No matter how you spin, you made a blanket statement (like some other posters I know), and claimed that the stature of the profession would be brought down due to Future not “giving it his all.” I disagree with that statement and feel that you should have factual basis for making such a claim. How can his lack of “umph” cause the designation to be dumbed down?

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

@Future-CPA

When you said ‘Mediocrity' it reminded me that I learned something new this week. I have always pronounced ‘Mediocre' as Me D Okra. Yes english is my first language, I just suck at it. haha. I learn a year ago that I said Popeyes like PiePies, which is wrong. I also learned that it is Picture not pitcher. It is said but true…guess that is what happens when you have an East Texas education haha

[mla1169]

While I have no doubt that you would excel on the exams and as a CPA, I do want to share that its going to be infinitaly more difficult to resist the temptation to gauge your own eyes out studying for this beast if you've got no love lost for accounting.

The studying process is tedious enough when you even like it a little bit! 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[porschify]

@musicamor I guess you and everyone else that have lashed out at me for this statement are correct, therefore I must be wrong. I must be wrong to want all CPA's to give it their all to keep the designation strong. I must be wrong to think that CPA's that do not put forth the effort to be a CPA shouldnt be one.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Future-CPA]

akb9874, ahh that is funny- You should hear me say Mediocre lol

mla1169, I agree with you and that is what scares me about it, and goes back to one of my original questions. How hard is it to comprehend the Accounting concepts if one ha a background in Finance? I know the studying part will be hard and a long road but I think I am ready for it 🙂

porschify, I don't think that's what they are saying. I think they are saying ” How do you read that someone will not put forth much effort to be a CPA just becauce they don't like Accounting

[Author]

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