[Diesel]

This one should instill some excitement. My boss has always acted insecure and jealous of my success. Today I finally informed him that I had passed two of my exams so far, with a 91 and a 89–both of which I am very proud of receiving. He (in front a colleague) immediately went into a rampage about how the exams are far easier than they used to be since the nation needs more CPAs, and therefore the AICPA makes the exams easier so more people can pass. He took his exams around 2006–he may have forgotten that he already told me that he had failed one of the exams and didn’t perform so well on the others. (By 2006 the exam had already changed from having to take the entire exam at once to being able to take the sections at different times, so he didn’t experience the marathon paper and pencil days.)

So, is the exam really easier than it used to be? I haven’t looked into statistics concerning pass rates and the number of test takers each year.

[Icarito]

What a clown. I took the exams in 2006. They were no harder back then. Same format. Same test with updated material now.

[AndreA]

The passing score is almost the same, so the amount of material we need to know is more, but IT helps. Don't compare yourself with others, every person has a different story. Your boss is a child…

[Diesel]

Thanks for the insight. I kinda figured something was up but didn't have any way to validate it. After the first two exams, I respect anyone who can pass the exam–the exams weren't easy at all and I studied a long time for the ones I've taken. I wanted to walk out during the middle of my first one since it was so much more difficult than I thought it'd be.

My boss also stated that just about anyone could pass the current exams, and that the majority of people who pass these days will likely never work outside of the lower rungs of an auditing firm. Paraphrasing the last part of his statement since I didn't care to remember the exact words. 😉

[Diesel]

Agreed about him being a child–I've definitely dreamed of the day I'll no longer have to work under him! I've just been trying to play it smart by waiting until I finish the CPA. I've worked at the same place for 4 years now so I'd rather my next move be my final one for a while. Either that, or he will be gone in 6 months and I can enjoy my job without working for a belittling a**hole. 🙂 I do greatly enjoy the opportunities that earning a CPA allows a person to reach.

[12tang]

Beware, your boss is being narcissistic. Why does does he feel it necessary to devalue a subordinate? What does he have to gain from that other than to feed his own ego? Bosses that don't support their teams with positivity are garbage and when it comes down to it, they will blame mistakes and errors on subordinates. They're not leaders and never will be. Big red flag. Unless he was saying this in a joking way. Like giving crap, from one man to another, (assuming you're a male) as this is a natural tendency amongst men. We like to dish out insults to other men, it's a way to tell if you can take the heat and are worthy. It has to come from a good place though, otherwise he's just being an a$$.

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[vbmer]

Yeah, this is just stupid. If he was comparing with way back when you had to take them all at once, he may have had a point.

[Diesel]

Thank you all for your input. I love a good dose of sarcasm, but what he said today was definitely his real thought on the matter. During his first week of employment in taking over, he made sure to tell my accounting team that accountants have no value, and then repeated it a second time for good measure. He has a real knack for making people feel like they're a tiny speck of nothingness. Within the past few years he has liked calling me “green” at things (such as “green” at reading financial statements–even though he didn't yet have a clue about my expertise), and liked to tell me, “I know you don't know very much about XXXX [accounting subject], but…”. One of my biggest goals has been to surpass him in his career in a sense. In fact, that's what drove me to go back to school and earn 30 more course hours in order to meet the CPA requirements and begin on my CPA journey. Sometimes, it's the not-so-great people who motivate us to do better!

[CH89]

Yikes! Yeah, do not listen to that or be discourage by that statement. This exam still requires a lot of dedication, perseverance, and hard work to pass. I guess one could argue that they are more difficult now since SIMs account for half of the exam and we might see the implementation of continuous testing later this year. I'm not trying to create a debate of whether or not it is harder now or then, because this exam is hard regardless haha. Major props to you for going back and getting the necessary requirements to go through this journey. I'm glad you have the drive and motivation to work and pass these exams. Best of luck on your remaining two!

[Mercenary]

Nonsense. More is covered now, in exchange there is perhaps less depth on each area but it still requires a lot of studying due to the extent covered. 15 years ago, for example had no IFRS.

[12tang]

Proceed with caution! Read “Dangerous Personalities” by Joe Navarro. Once you become aware of the types of people to watch out for, you should then keep bettering yourself. Read every book on self-development for life and business, and you'll pass your boss so fast, he'll be crying himself to sleep at night. Best of luck and don't let him get into your head!

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[jombe]

Well… CPA stands for Can't Pass Again, so unless someone took the exams AGAIN after 15 years from passing and bragged about it, I guess we would never know!

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[jeff]

Nah.

You can make the case that it's harder-ish now.

Sims went from 30% to 50% weight (and everyone hates sims).

Back your boss' day (and my day), we had written communications for each exam, so if you were a decent writer, those were some bailout points as well.

[lfranc8]

My boss “jokes” that I am taking the fake exam since I don't have to take it all in one weekend like they use to have too. Just REG left now.

[12tang]

You can joke back and tell him they also didn't have psychometric testing where your test gets harder because you're doing well. Those bubble form tests with #2 pencils sure are a doozy! LOL

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[Cobalt60]

When I was in school we had to walk to school up hill both ways.

I had to carry blocks of ice up five, six flights of stairs. And we liked it that way.

I never complained like kids these days do.

“When I took the CPA exam it was one exam all at the same time. You have it easy. Four separate exams. One at a time.” Chief Accounting Office near as I can remember direct quote.

[Author]

Replies