[jeff]

Keep in touch with your A71 friends long after the CPA Exam is over.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Liz317]

I'm just popping in to say hi! I finally received my official license in the mail in my state last week, so I'm finally a CPA. It's been quite a journey, and I just wanted to say congrats to everyone who's able to post in the alumni lounge! And that I hope to see everyone else here soon as well!

FAR - 92 --- AUD - 87 --- REG - 80 --- BEC - 87
A licensed CPA in Louisiana!!!

Dear CPA Exam, You are a beast. But you WILL be defeated!

[jeff]

Congrats Liz!

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

Greetings fellow alums. Thanks, Jeff, this is a nice idea, since we (gratefully, thankfully) don't need our Club 75 memberships anymore.

I will soon be licensed in Virginia, which has pretty liberal work experience requirements. My supervisor signing off did not have to be a CPA, either.

Since I'm not directly working in the accounting field (other than a few bookkeeping clients very part time), I'm thinking of applying to teach for Becker to keep fresh. Also gradually building up a practice while continuing to work full time. I know a lot of folks that have small side businesses, mostly multi-level marketing selling jewelry or clothing, who I figure might need help with their schedule Cs. Anyone else doing something similar? I was looking at QuickBooks Pro certification — opinion on whether it is worth the $400?

Hearty congratulations to all.

[jeff]

Someone asked me to find this and bump it…

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[WhyEvenTry]

I have had my license now for about two months. It is awesome! Already been on two interviews, and had offers on them both. My salary has increased roughly 40% in the past two months. The letters give you an edge on other accountants for sure. Couple the CPA credential with good communication skills and a nice work ethic, and the sky's the limit. Stay motivated if you are still working on yours. It WILL pay off. The months and months of studying, late nights, early mornings, no sleep, and borderline insanity was weeeelllllll worth it. Now people ask me what I do, and I can say, “I'm a CPA,” rather then simply saying “I'm an accountant,” or, “I work at a public CPA firm,” which would steer around the fact that I wasn't a CPA at the time.

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[pacific1]

@WhyEvenTry Congrats on the two employment offers, that is a huge salary increase, I did not realize the increase would be that significant! My current employer will give a 5% increase so I am impressed!

[kreeta]

Congrats, Whyeventry!!! Now that's the kind of news I like to hear. Definitely gives the rest of us hope.

[WhyEvenTry]

@pacific & kreeta

Thanks! My salary increase wasn't only for my CPA license, it was coupled with their matching of the offer I was given from another employer. Once you get officially licensed, I would recommend doing the same. Go on some interviews to see what the market value for a CPA with your experience is. Then talk to your employer….it doesn't hurt to ask. Let's be honest, they are running a business and will get by with paying everyone the minimum unless you step up and communicate.

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[Anonymous]

Finally get to post in the Alumni Lounge!!! So glad to finally be finished! Now just waiting on my application packet from the TN State Board! Congrats to everyone that has passed so far!

[Taxi Cow Tent]

CPA2010TN – I don't know how it works in TN, but I'm in GA and I didn't wait on my packet. I found the forms online and mailed them off before I received my letter stating I passed all 4 parts. I think it really sped up the process. Just FYI.

FAR - 11/10 - 84
REG - 2/11 - 89
BEC - 5/11 - 80
AUD - 5/11 - 83

[Anonymous]

@ Taxi Cow Tent – Yeah I have checked everywhere on TN Board's website but can't find anything except a form to get my experience signed off on. I have gotten that filled out and sent in, so hopefully that will speed up the process some. Thanks for the help.

[NYCPA34]

I'm all done, but i would like to stick around. This forum was a great help to me, so i would definately like to try to help others like everyone helped me.

FAR - 07/08/11 - 86 (Becker Fast Pass)
REG - 07/27/11 - 91 (Becker Fast Pass & Ninja Notes)
AUD - 08/13/11 - 93 (Becker Fast Pass)
BEC - 08/31/11 - 90 (Becker Fast Pass)

[Anonymous]

It was too difficult for me to read this thread until now. I just read all the posts here and I'm happy to say I'm an “Alumni”.

OK. So I still have a long way to get certified in SC. I need 2,000 hours under a licensed CPA in public accounting and there isn't one in my office. It's just me and Dad. 2,000 hours is a lot for me to be away from our office. Ugh. Just when I thought I'd have some free time after the exam. Ugh-ugh. There is no time limit as to the completion of the experience so I could be at this for a long time.

There is a nice CPA than said I could work under him. Am I supposed to work for free in exchange for the experience? This is new to me.

Maybe Jeff can put down my time as his Moderator ~ kidding!

Any suggestions? I do mostly tax prep.

[HazeEastwood]

Allyson. Congrats! I am so happy for you. We are kind of in the same boat. I have to finish one more class before I can certify and I have to complete the ethics course. I am so tired of studying I am really dragging on this class

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Haze! I guess the work never ends for us accountants.

[Author]

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