[Anonymous]

I feel like I have developed thick skin going through this CPA process but I have 1 coworker that gives me grief because I have not passed the entire exam yet. I am a year out of college and have been working full time for almost 8 months now yet I have only passed FAR (after my 2nd try) and took AUD for the 2nd time Saturday (got a 74 on the first try but I really think I did better this time) and jumped straight into studying for REG today.
However, my coworker always seems to take interest in my progress with the CPA but never in an encouraging way. He constantly keeps track of when I will be finding out my scores even though I try to avoid talking about the exam with him. While most of my coworkers encouraged me as I restudied for AUD and gave me advice/pointers he constantly feeds me with negative comments like “That’s a retake for you right?” or “Are you done yet?” or “You think it will be harder?” or “How many more do you have left?” in a judgmental way and it’s starting to annoy me and even give me anxiety to hear negative energy before going into an exam. He passed them all on his first try and I can sense that he looks down on me because he has already passed. Like I said, when it comes to studying and exams I try not to tell my business to everyone but it does come up that I’m still studying if I talk to my manager or someone else and he always seems to find out. I feel like I can’t directly come out and tell him to stop talking to me about the exam though.

Has one ran into situations like this and have any advice? I’m starting to understand my weaknesses and motivate myself more as I try to pass but it’s literally like this guy crushes my energy and positive thoughts.

Thank you in advance 🙂

[livealittle]

instead of answering him with the true answer to his questions, try saying “why do you want to know?” and then wait for his answer. Then repeat back what he said.

him: this is a retake for you, right?
you: why do you want to know?
him: i just do
you: you just want to know if this is a retake for me?
him: yes, is it?
you: why do you want to know?

and smile.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Bear-Bear]

Is he a CPA?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip livealittle and yes he is a CPA. You'd think as someone who has already passed he'd be more of a motivator rather than a energy bust.

[Bear-Bear]

Hmm, that's odd. Maybe he feels threatened by you or is otherwise insecure. Haters gonna hate. :-/

[Nessie]

If I had $100 for every nosey/nasty fellow employee, I could retire now. Some people project their issues onto others. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.

I know it’s hard, but it is a really good thing to keep your private life, well,… private. You never know who will take these little nuggets of information and use them against you.

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[SuckItUp]

Maybe he likes you and is bad around women? Or he thinks he's being funny. Or he's just really curious and doesn't know it bothers you. People are like that. He might have a very dry and sarcastic humor and you are not picking up on it. Other than the constant prodding, is he a decent guy? Most people like him?

If you are sure the above are not possibilities and this guy isn't a manager or have any power, you need to get “crazy” and tell him EXACTLY how you feel. Tell him to stop talking about it all the time, tell him it's the last thing you want to talk about.

[tmacpa]

Who knows if he actually passed them all on the first try. He probably just gets an ego boost every time he says it since you are studying.

Studying and taking your exams one year out of college is awesome. It shows a lot of ambition and determination.

A lot of people don't even think about taking the exams until way down the line, 5+ years away from college.

Anything he says to you regarding your exams, just say “Yep, studying hard” or something like that. It's not being argumentative or confrontational and he'll get the point when he's not getting answers out of you.

[Valar Dohaeris]

Just tell the coworker you're done with your exams.

BEC - 85
AUD - 81
REG - 84
FAR - 7/24/16

[Anonymous]

Evasive answers are always an option. “When's the retake?” “Not today, thank goodness.” “When are scores out?” “Not soon enough.” “How'd you do on your last exam?” “Eh, journey's not over yet.” If you stick to never telling him anything, he'll either a) get tired of asking questions, or b) make it a game to try to get you to trip up and tell something. But either way, he won't actually know what's going on so can't tease you about what's really going on. Then when you're all done with all 4, you can just one day when he asks something like “How's retake-ville?” say “I dunno, haven't been there in a long time – have you been visiting recently?” If you find ways to answer his questions but still keep him in the dark, it makes you able to handle the questions but still keep your privacy. Maybe adopt the same policy with everyone at work except your manager, to just give vague answers.

livealittle's method of answering is similar in its goal. Maybe switch up your answers between various non-answer-methods (like livealittle's, mine, others that you come up with) till he just admits he won't get any information out of you.

Of course you can always go the direct route and just say something like “I've decided it's time to quit talking about the exam and just study instead”, and then whenever he asks a question say “Remember, I've quit talking about it, just studying only”. But if you're not comfortable telling him directly, then evasively answering with no information at all may accomplish the goal.

[DISLCPA]

I am going thru the same thing right now. The only other CPA in our practice besides my boss (the owner) is doing that to me. When I told her I was taking the exam she even asked me why, I told her that taking the exam and becoming a CPA was part of my career goal and plus our boss is really wanting me to take it and pass. Her reaction to that was I don't know why he would want you to take it, there are more non CPA's here than CPA's. I told her that is probably the reason why. She has made me feel like a piece of crap ever since I started studying. When I just took BEC earlier this month, her motivational speech as I left for the day was well you studied long enough you better pass. Needless to say I kept hearing that in my head the whole time I was taking BEC. She also tells me on every occasion she can that the exam is easier now. My boss showed me all his test scores from when he took it (from late 80's till 1994) and he had to take it 6x and his failing grades were about as bad as mine. That made me feel so much better that I thought to hell with her I will get this finished. Don't pay this person any mind (even though I know it is hard believe me I know) like everyone says you will eventually pass it, don't give up. I also think this person is threatened by you and trying to bring you down, which is the same in my case as well. just do your thing and don't let it bother you, your license won't say how many times it took for you to pass. Hang in there and just make it a joke what he says and laugh it off.

BEC(8/12/16)
AUD
FAR
REG

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Maybe he is just trying to relate with you and doesn't realize it is coming off as nosey.

Just give him non-answers. Don't advise him when you are taking the exam. If he asks when are you taking it, just say when you feel you are ready.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Pokey]

Negative people suck… I would like to think that he is just interested in what your going through with the CPA but you can usually pick up the negative vibes and looks. You may want to just tell him so he does quit asking that you have decided to put it on the back burner for now and yes he may give you some look or comment but atleast it will stop – that way if it takes you a few months to another year to pass, you wont have him breathing down your neck or having the unwanted pressure while testing.

AUD - 74 (3x), TBD
BEC - Sept16
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD

[Ash]

I have actually just stopped talking about the exams with everyone except my best friend, boyfriend and manager. When others ask now I just smile chuckle a bit and say no comment. They can read into it what they will. Although I have not received too much negativity I do feel these co-workers do not understand. They see me studying non stop and assume I am going to pass just from that but clearly it is not the case, they do not understand how difficult the test is. I just am looking forward to the day I can tell my department as a whole I am done but until that day I am not saying anything specific it just takes a lot more weight off my chest. I also do not talk about the test right after I take it with anyone except on this website with folks who are in the same boat.

AUD- 72, 71, TBD (now i am pissed no more messing around)
BEC-8/29/16
REG-10/10/16
FAR-70 retest-11/28/16

[Trele6]

My only tidbit that might rationalize his behavior is something maybe others have thought also. Once you get the CPA you might not want others to get it in order to make yours more valuable for having it. The whole supply and demand thing.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Porma Fierles]

So in the workplace it is fine to be passive aggressive?

[Author]

Replies