[Anonymous]

I can consume my days completely by doing one of the following two options. I cannot do both 100%.

Option #1 Contact recruiters/headhunters, send resumes out, network, submit applications on corporate websites, gather advice, refine resume, interview, travel to interviews, etc.

Option #2 Collect unemployment and study from 7:00am to 5:00pm six days per week.

When working at my pressure-cooker of a job, I worked 60 hrs per week minimum. When I got home around 6:00pm every night, I would spend time with family (give kids baths, bed time stories, etc.). I would *finally* sit down to start studying around 9:00pm! For me, this was not an ideal study situation for me. By 9:00pm, I was spent. I couldn’t absorb anything that I studied.

This may be why I couldn’t pass the final two parts of the exam. I’m curious how quickly I could pass the exam if I studied from 7:00am-5:00pm all week long? I would be 100% alert. No distractions at home.

What do you all think?

[utmpa]

Take the time off and pass the last 2 parts. Depending on which sections you need you can easily be done by mid April. Take one at the beginning of April and the other 2-3 weeks later.

Good luck

FAR 1/22/10 PASSED
BEC 2/05/10 PASSED
AUD 3/02/10 PASSED

[PursuitCPA]

1. Collect, I know a few people doing that.

2. Recruiters are a waste of time.

3. No guarantees you will pass I am unemployed and have failed BEC and FAR 2x. Trust me you cant study 12 hours a day. But atleast you will only be focused on the Exam and nothing Else in life.

4. Still look for Jobs that are not out there.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[financeguy]

If you don't mind me asking, were you layed off? And if so, was it a big firm?

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[75 CPA]

You are getting paid to study. Why not go for it?

[Anonymous]

Why not go for it? Because bills need to be paid. Granted, if I go the route of studying, I will cut back A LOT on different expenses. Unemployment benefits are not that sexy…let me tell you.

[PursuitCPA]

Agreed, would love to be working again. But its hard finding a new job overnight even if you were laid off from the big 4.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[magic_8_ball_did_i_pass]

Just my two cents,

i would study for the exam. I was laid off and took part of a program with unemployment. THEY PAY FOR YOU TO RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE. Hence, they paid the 3 grand for becker, they paid the 295 to the state of illinois, and they paid the 823 to nasba. Not too shabby! Go directly to the unemployment office….dont know what state you are in but here in illinois it is named the POET program and see if you can qualify to have them pay for your test also! Btw, during my studying a company i applied for back in march of 09 (who at first told me no) called me in august 09 and hired me. So now i have a job and unemployment paid for the test. No it has nothing to do with accounting buttttt I have the time to work and study and it is decent pay for what i do.

IL - BECKER=============> DONE
REG - 80; FAR - 65,79; AUD - 53,78; BEC - 71,68, 75 (used becker and yaeger for 3rd BEC)Ethics 95

I'M GONNA CELEBRATE AND LIVE MY LIFE SAYING AYE OH BABY LETS GO!!!!!

[JM2010FL]

Study and pass the CPA first, then worry about getting a job.

It's tax season, so put your REG studying to work, make business cards and start doing taxes for individuals and businesses. There's great tax software out there. Knock-on- business doors, cold-calling and networking and you'll make some money until you find a job…..

I'm doing it, I'm up to 18 business clients (about $8K month)….so far I've done 24 individual returns + working on my business clients….I'll get more clients when I get my CPA license

[Anonymous]

Spend a day or two and get the job stuff in order. Once you get settled you can do a decent job search functions and keep up with new listings with minimal effort. That would still leave plenty of time to study. If something comes up for a job great, if not it didn't take a ton of time.

Like others said, which two sections? If it is AUD and BEC you could do those in 2 months with the time you've got.

[75 CPA]

JM2010FL

“I'm up to 18 business clients (about $8K month)….so far I've done 24 individual returns + working on my business clients….I'll get more clients when I get my CPA license.”

I also plan to knock on some business doors and do some bookkeeping for these firms. Do you have any tips? How do you come up with a price for your services?

[JM2010FL]

75 CPA

If you haven't done so already, become an expert in QuickBooks, maybe get certified with Intuit. Then get certified in Microsoft's Dynamic Great Plains accounting software. Great Plains is for mid-size companies and you could make at least $100.00/hour, probably more if you install the software for a potential client ($20K – $80K). Join a BNI group or Chamber, something, you have to get out at least once a week at of your house, make contacts/network; go to an IRS forum, make friends ect., get out of your house!

Pricing your service is tricky. I try to stick to “price per transaction” ($.75 each transaction to $1.25). I have one client that is high maintenance and I through-in $125.00/hour so he would leave me alone and he agreed to it as long as I do the hours in his office. If a client wants an hour rate, don't go too low, then you cheapened yourself. Tell your client that you are smarter and faster than the average accounant and they could wind-up saving money. Sell yourself on monthly service (dedicate to each client at least one hour a month to go over their numbers)……

[PursuitCPA]

JML you might as well start a firm (Thats what I am thinking of with the CPA). Why work for the MAN.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[JM2010FL]

Wasn't my intent to start a firm, but I guess I have one now…..lol

I want to expand my practice, but it's hard to find decent help, most college guys with a BS in accounting are expecting to make $80K to start, and the ones that don't are lazy and not very responsible……….or maybe it's me, I'm old school….lol

[PursuitCPA]

Not true JML there are I say thousands of college grads looking for something and willing to work hard. Those 80k people are few and far between anymore. I dont have enough experience to go out on my own yet but I am hoping to help start up with a family member.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[JM2010FL]

Pursuit, I believe you're right. The problem is me since I can't pay much…….. It's tough doing the marketing then run back to the office to do accounting work….I offered 3 college graduates part-time work and to come with me to see how I “pick-up” clients and network….and they said, “no way” they just want a regular salary job…….

I guess they don't teach how to be an entrepreneur in college these days…….

[Author]

Replies