48 years old…and pretty much starting all over

If you want to do it then DO IT!

Ignore all the Negativity.

You're going to get knocked down more times than you know. Learn from the knock downs and keep pushing forward! Do it!

I'm a firm believer in the phrase, “when there is a will, there is a way”. It's funny how things will often work themselves out when you keep you head up and give things your all.

A lower salary doesn't mean that you'll go broke. It just means you may need to look at your finances in a different light or angle. Most of us spend way more than necessary.

Hope you get what you're looking for.

I also have to add, you're never too old to improve. During my first semester of college, there was an elderly lady in my class (over 80 years old). She drove me insane, but I had immense respect for her. When delivering food, I had met a really amazingly sweet family. They lived in a massive house so one day I asked the husband what he did for a living. But his job was nothing compared to the story about his wife. He told me about how his wife went back to school after being a stay at home mom for most of their children's education. She was over 40 when she went back to college and then passed the BAR. She now works for a law firm and is constantly my inspiring story for anyone I meet who thinks they're too late in life to accomplish anything.

Please find peace in your decisions.

You seem to have a game plan, which is more than can be said for a lot of people. Everything you said you want is very achievable and completely not out of line. The goal of becoming a controller for a small company and/or working at a small CPA firm is definitely something in your reach…you still have plenty of working years left in your life (17 if you work until 65).

If I am half right and you do not become the head controller or make partner…who cares…at least you were pursuing something of importance and meaning to your life.

Finally, what is your other option? Do nothing. Where do you want to be in 17 years…wishing you would have followed through on what could have been? That does not sound like living to me at all!!!

Yes it is (or seems) to take a long time to pass the exams and meet the requirements to get licensed. You might be 50 before you have license in hand.

Big deal, you're surely going to turn 50 one way or the other, do you want to spend it wondering what if you started the CPA when you were 48 or celebrating the achievement?

Going into public may not be that big a difference in pay but even if it is, you figured out a way to stay home and raise your kids for 15 years (read working very hard for zero income) I am confident you'll find a way to make it work.

Do you know why people tell you its too hard or will take too long? They're projecting their own insecurities and disappointment onto you. I was told there was NO WAY I'd pass the CPA, and guess what? I am 45 and renewing my license for the second time this month!

Its' wonderful that you were able to be with your kids as they were growing up. It sounds like it's time to do something for yourself. If you want to get that CPA, then do it! You have to be sure you want it. It's a journey all in it's own. You will be 50 with or without a CPA. I'd rather be 50 and with the license!

I don't know what State you are in, but be sure the requirements for experience. In my State, you do not have to work directly with another CPA, but you do need one to sign off on your experience.

It doesn't hurt to talk to the people at the small firm. If you can't come to an agreement on pay, then look elsewhere. It's pretty cool that you already have someone wanting to talk to you!

Lastly, you seem to be getting wrapped up in the future. take a breath and focus on the now. Decide what you want, whether it's a better job, or CPA license, or whatever, and then go for it.