[A]

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

-Henry Ford

One of the fundamentals that got me through this career change was fully understanding what I had to give up to get where I wanted to be.

I already had a Masters degree in Agriculture when I decided to switch careers in 2011, and went back to school on January of 2012. I was in class (brick and mortar state school, Big4 feeder) for all but three weeks over the next 23 months – I took summer school and made use of the interim sessions between summer and fall and over winter break to take online classes. I put my social life on hold and watched my SO and friends head off for weekend camping trips and other fun stuff while I stayed home to study. 23 months of all accounting, all the time…

Knowing my age (43 at graduation) would work against me when it came time to get public experience, I started looking a year early. I identified regional and boutique firms that had taken on other non-traditional candidates and found a part-time $10/hr position in the finance department of a small municipality to replace the more traditional internship experience that I was unlikely to get. At school, I participated in Beta Alpha Psi and made sure I had a very strong GPA. I practiced my pitch for Meet the Firms night and conversed regularly with my professors to get introductions and help build a professional network. I landed four interviews and received two offers through campus recruiting, and I accepted the offer with a boutique firm in Denver that seemed to have the best cultural fit. I had a job in public waiting for me after graduation, likely the most difficult step for non-traditional students in Accounting. I credit good long-term planning, realistic expectations and a little luck with successfully entering public accounting at age 43. The backstory is that I had an open spot in my interview schedule so I requested an interview with that firm “just for practice”… and ended up working there for nearly 2 years. Lucky, for sure.

I put the CPA exam on hold because of demands at work, and ended up cold-sitting for FAR in 2014 with zero hope of passing just so I wouldn’t throw away an NTS fee. I got a 26. 🙂

About a year later, I got serious. I dug out the Roger Course I bought when I graduated and modified his study plans to fit my schedule. I applied for BEC first because I was
told it was “easiest” (that’s debatable). A friend told me about Ninja, and I added Ninja MCQ for my final review. I took 6 weeks to study and passed in Feb 2016. AUD was next, I used the same study timeline and Ninja MCQ to pass in April 2016, and I had more confidence from the proof that my study system was working.

I put everything on hold when I quit my job and relocated to western CO in July 2016. After three months, I took a new position in banking and picked up the REG book on November 1st, one week after I started working full time again. I sat for REG on January 4th, took one day off, and started studying for FAR on January 6th, planning for a Hail Mary attempt on March 10th. I passed REG and FAR with 8 weeks of prep, again using Roger lectures and Ninja MCQ.

I took three days off from work to squeak in a few more hours for FAR, but the routine for all four exams was ~2 hours every weeknight and 10-12 hours every weekend. I went through the book and lectures first, and spent the last three weeks of review on MCQ. I took maybe three days off from studying for each section. This “willful immersion” got me four passes in four tries. Ignoring my little
Sabbtical last summer, it took leas than 8 months of prep time to get through all four parts.

Now it is time to move on. Thanks for all the study tips, commiseration and encouragement through this process; I read many more posts than I wrote, taking in the experience of others to maintain momentum and keep my eye on the prize. I took the Ethics exam and submitted my CO application the day after the last Q1 score release, and now I’m re-learning how to enjoy free evenings and weekends again. Congratulations to those who have also finished, and good luck to those who aren’t quite there yet. Y’all can and will *CRUSH* this thing!

Cheers,
-mecrushya

B - 77 (2.27.16)
A - 81 (4.18.16)
R -
F -

Roger Review + Ninja MCQs

[Anonymous]

I don't even know you and I'm proud of you! I appreciate all of your responses on my questions. Thank you and great luck!

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[jeff]

Sorry that this is just now posting…it was hung up in spam.

[Mary]

Wow, great story!!! Good luck to you!

[Namstut]

@Mecrushya, congrats to you, neighbor!

I admire your dedication! Being in my mid-forties I can relate to your journey.

Enjoy your newly acquired freedom and best of luck to you! And this year summer in CO will seem so much better! 😉

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Tncincy]

I am so excited for you, mainly because of the determination that generated success. Absolutely outstanding….I'm sure your family is just as excited. Good luck in your new career. Keep those fingers crossed for the rest of us that probably will not see a free weekend for a while, and were over forty trying to incorporate a new career as well. Sincerely, Good luck and congrats to you and your family. 🙂

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[jeff]

I didn't realize that this was a “farewell” post until now.

Congrats to you on passing and please don't be a stranger!!

[Nima]

Great post!

[M123]

A big success story with a very non-traditional route. I love it. Any chance ag could be part of the mix? I know there was a whole section on farm taxation when I took the EA!

[Anonymous]

Great post and congrats!!!

[Author]

Replies