[Anonymous]

I received my passing score on my last exam REG on Feb 26. I sent in my CPA certification application for license on 3/9 and received my license on 3/19 (yesterday). By the way I am from Indiana. I have to say that all those nights studying between 9-11 and weekend crams at my office to get away family. All the stalking of another71.com and NASBA website enduring the torture of the release process. All the highs from passing the last exam to the lows of failing AUD my first exam. All those nights when I had no motivation and wondered if this somewhat of a nightmarish journey would ever end. All those Becker lectures with Olinto and Gearty. All that highlighting from the Becker lectures which provided very little value to me and something that I dreaded by the time I got to my last section REG. The sacrifices made by myself in countless study hours and my family in my neglect.

First I want to say I would not have completed the CPA exam without the Love and Support of my wonderful wife (Nadine). Bless her heart, she is no accountant nor does she having any desire to learn about or become one but she provide countless hours of support expecting nothing in return.

Having gone through all of that in the last year. The question remains: WAS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

I will have to say with a resounding answer: YYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

The feeling that I have now makes the journey all the more amazing. Becoming a CPA has given me a connection at my work with other CPA’s that would not have existed otherwise. I absolutely agree unless you have done this others cannot truly understand no matter how hard they try. So my point, The CPA certification in my opinion is WORTH all the sacrifices that a cpa candidate makes. If you are in one of those down points, don’t think about giving up, think how I can change it up to get the results I want whether it be better study habits to that golden “75” score or a better balance between work, family and the cpa exam.

I will say and I am sure you all have heard this before, but if I can do this (being this is a second career) at 49 yrs old, fulltime job and family with 6 children (4-13 years old) you can do it too. You may have not found the right study formula just yet. Unfortunately, everyone is different so if you are not enjoying the success you had hoped for, tweek that study formula and keep moving forward as Jeff would say.

Because in the end, At least in my case. IT IS WORTH IT!!!

Good Luck to Everyone.

[Anonymous]

Lee_IN,

I always read your posts and once again your are so right. Having 3 more exams ahead of me seems unbearable considering the time and effort it has taken me to get this far. It's people like you that keep the hope alive for people like me. I appreciate that. Congratulations, you totally deserve it.

[Soanxious]

I really appreciate you posting this! I have struggled greatly so far. If they ever release my AUD score I could say I passed my first exam From there I still have much more to be added to my journey before I can get where you are at. I am glad to hear it is been worth it. I haven't given up yet at 2 1/2 years of studying and it makes it a lot easier to keep going when you read posts such as this.

After your frustration with Becker who did you use? I fired them at the end of last year after not passing multiple times. I needed more than what I could get from them. I'm curious what has worked for people.

Most of all Congratulations and good luck with your career as a CPA!!!

IL - 11/24 AUD

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Anonymous]

Congrats Lee. I am in a somewhat similiar situation & will hopefully be able to write about it come Monday after a preliminary hopeful passing using Ohio.

My question is how did you get your license so quickly? Did you send in anything before or just start the process by downloading all the forms after passing the last test?

[Anonymous]

Lee_IN

Congratulations!! I have enjoyed reading your posts over the past few months since I found this awesome sight. You are an inspiration! Thanks for the posts.

-Connie

[Anonymous]

Soanxious – I never fired Becker. I did not have a choice, the program was employer sponsored with the schedule and order of the class and exams pre-determined by them. They also set deadlines for completion of the exams. My failing AUD score was heart wrenching for me but it also gave me more motivation. What I learned about Becker because of this failing grade was that Becker teaches you what is most likely to be on the exam. It is just an educated guess on their part but they are pretty good at it. I could not get away with the same study habits I had done while obtaining my Masters degree. I needed the assurance that I had put in the quality study time which I could not attest to prior to my failing AUD score. I also realized that I needed more time to get the study hours in than most of my fellow CPA candidates who were in my class. I decided to make my own schedule for the test date without regards to the deadlines set. I made an intensive study schedule to get my quality study hours for each exam minimum 100 hours of pure nothing but working mutliple choice questions. And the most important thing was, I made a conscious effort to learn the concepts that Becker was teaching and was very aware if I was memorizing questions rather than learning concepts. I think this is the biggest downfall people fall into that struggles with Becker.

I will say one thing, I think Becker does not do a good job on the BEC section. The multiple choice questions in the software are so difficult it almost impossible to learn the concepts. Overall, Becker was the right review material for me since I found the video lectures invaluable since I hate reading. I can honestly say I did not read a single Becker Book from cover to cover. This is probably why I scored the way I did and trust me, If I had to read the book over the videos I would have never passed. The software was great, the progress test, the practice final exams and simulations.

Find what works for you. Becker isn't for everyone and if my employer had not paid for it, I probably would not be a CPA today. You really need to figure out what works and doesn't and when you find it, everything will click. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

brla – Are you from Indiana? I took Jeff's advice on not waiting on NASBA and went to the Indiana Board of Accountancy website and downloaded the CPA application and experience forms and filled them out after I passed my last exam. Gave the experience form to a active license CPA who was most gracious to fill out and get notarize. I did provide her a self stamped address envelope. I received an email acknowledging receipt of application 2 days after I mailed my application. I received an email stating my application had been approved 5 days after the first email and mailed my $85 license fee same day. I started checking the Indiana online licensing website and found my license issued 3 days after I mailed my check. Indiana does not require an ethics exam. Apparently the applications are approved as they are received and you do not have to wait on a monthly board meeting like in some states. However, since each state sets their own procedures this would not apply unless you are from Indiana.

[Anonymous]

CPAWannaBe, connieCPAin2010 and everyone else. Thanks for your kind words. I have enjoyed reading everyones post during this past year. I think I am on this website as much as my wife is on Facebook. I imagine I will continue to follow this website at least in the near future and hope to be able to enjoy your success with you as you complete this journey. Remember this is a marathon, do not get overwhelmed or upset over a single situation but always keep your focus on the task at hand and the end result. I look forward to reading your successes. Good Luck in your studying or if your waiting on your score.

[krf4cpa]

Hey Lee_IN Thanks for all the encouragement. I definitely need it. I have really enjoyed reading all your posts/comments over the last few months. I'm just 25% complete with the CPA testing and the way it's looking I might end up having to retake that 25% in Jan if I don't start passing some tests, your words above are good motivation for me to keep plugging away. Take care and best of luck in your career.

BEC - Passed
REG - Failed - Retake October
AUD - Waiting

[hopeful_cpa]

Lee_IN: CONGRATS MAN!!!! I remember when I first found this site in Jan you were the first person to reply to my posting. All your words and support really helped when I took REG at the end of Jan. I'm really happy for your that you passed all 4 sections, I personally can't wait for that feeling as well… you are really inspiring with your family life and work life.

By the way, did you use Becker the whole way through, or did I read that incorrectly?

BEC: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
FAR: Done

I'M DONE!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Lee – Great advice, thank you. Congrats again.

[Soanxious]

Lee_IN – Thaks for the info. I was wondering if you contiuned on with them or tried something else. I have found that I like certain things from different providers and some things are taught better from some than others. I hope I got the mix right this time and going forward. :O)

I wish you the best going forward in your career!

Thanks again!!!

IL - 11/24 AUD

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Anonymous]

krf4cpa – Lets be a little more positive. If you are not passing, just look at what you are doing. Are you close, need that extra push. Maybe just a tweak here or there in your study habits will do the trick. Did you put in quality study time or are you being honest with yourself. If you are putting in the time, then I think you probably need to tweak your study habits. What material are you using and what exam are you studing for and what have been your past results. There is plenty of time before you need to worry about losing credit. Remember keep your focus on the task of hand and the end result of passing the exam. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

hopeful_cpa – I actually remember you. I am glad to see that you passed REG and my comments were helpful. No, you read it right. I only used Becker in my studies. Good Luck in your BEC studies and beyond.

[Author]

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