[Trele6]

I am fully licensed now after dedicating a year to studying for the CPA exam.

I feel empty after work, like all of my purpose has gone.. Don’t get me wrong, I hated studying for this test, but now I have a void with all this free time.

I’m debating about going for the PMP just so I can have something to do for a few months, but then I worry after I finish that..

Anyone else go through this void?

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

[tg7174]

Gym, wife, kids, volunteer, work around the house, build things…lots of options.

[Skynet]

It gives me more time to hit on and chase after hot female accountants : )

[jms10101]

I have a weird fear of forgetting how to study again. I have been studying straight through university and CPA. But there is much more to learn in this world and I look forward to it. I am burned out on CPA studies.

[Trele6]

I am really thinking about doing the PMP certification. I'm still in the studying mode so I figure I need to get it out of the way while I can.

I recognize a lot of you are still in the middle of this process and are dreaming to be done. I was there too at one point and hated studying, that's why I find this so strange now that I am done. Like others have mentioned you life revolves around this test, but once it is done your routine has changed. It's quite the shock to the system to be honest.

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

[Trele6]

@Spartans92, I didn't really approach my re-test much different. I went back through all of my Becker material and tried to focus on concepts I knew gave me a hard time on my first test. And then just worked MCQ over and over again. I think I re-read a few chapters too but really I focused on more MCQ.

Luckily I did pass, not by much but that doesn't matter. I really think I got a few more points on the SIMS the second go than my first. I was able to check my answers were correct with the AL for about 4 of them so I felt good about those, whereas my first test the AL didn't help me on anything but the research question.

I know I have seen others say it, and I truly believe it also, it all depends on the luck of the test you are given. When I took REG and FAR there were numerous concepts I KNEW I didn't know well, but they were either lightly tested, or not tested at all, where I see others post that they had multiple questions on those topics! I think I got lucky that the bulk of the questions were closer to my strengths than my weaknesses.

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

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this thread. Seriously. It's nice to know that it isn't just me.

My story: Did poorly as an undergrad and graduated during the recession. Couldn't find work, so I went to grad school and made sure I did everything and aced everything. Landed a great job during grad school at a firm, then early promotion, another early promotion and bam! A ton of responsibility and no time. Finally left public accounting earlier this year. Finally took my CPA tests. I received notification I passed my last test this past Thursday and immediately mailed in my app. And then…now what?

I've been hustling since I started grad school, and now that I have all this free time with myself I'm kinda unsure what to do next.

[Anonymous]

I have to say this is an enlightening thread! I've only passed one section and am praying that I will be done with it all by June. But it's a really good point to make that when you devote so much of your life to one thing for a year or more, that no matter how much you hated that thing, when it's gone your life will feel empty.

My husband is in PA school and won't be done for another 2 years. I went straight from undergrad, started working full time and getting my masters at night and online, then straight into studying for the CPA. I don't even know what life is like not having something to study for. I long for the day when I feel like I can have a real marriage, but that isn't going to start until my husband is out of PA school – possibly a year and a half after I'm done with the CPA!

I daydream when I'm studying about not feeling like every second of my free time should be devoted to studying and how great it will feel when I don't have to. Thanks for the heads up that it may not be that easy to adjust to life without the CPA!

[hasy]

I am so happy that I can be part of this thread, because that's really how I felt for the past week as I waited for my last score. Honestly, I felt really listless too. I should start planning for my vacations but I needed to know my last score to feel fully ready to plan for it.

But yeah, I'm actually doing my ethics exam right now and I'm just trying to get it done too and move on.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Jdn9201]

Good thread topic. I passed my last exam in February and I'm over it now, but I was kind of in a funk myself after it. Yeah, it's a good ‘problem' to have lol but I felt kind of lost. I got so used to sleep/work/study that it was hard to figure out what to do with myself when it was all over. I still come back here periodically just to chime in and offer advice for people who are going through the process. Even though I really wanted this and still do, part of me wants to see how my career plays out to see if it was really worth it.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[nyclife]

Your options are: exercise, find a partner, find a new hobby or hobbies, travel, volunteer/mentor, network in professional associations, pursue another certification or degree, or stalk A71 and post helpful responses for your fellow brothers/sisters.

Life is what you make of it.

Congrats on your achievements.

I am in a similar boat. It feels like the chase never ends but to the outside world, we appear to be trying to prove something. However, we just like to learn and challenge ourselves.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Yes, I know what you are talking about. It feels like you could be accomplishing so much with the free time and you are squandering it, I've felt the same way!

Several things you can do:
1. MBA – I am working on this on a part time basis.
2. Other designations – Currently working on Insurance Industry specific designations, AIAF and ARC. Considering other ones (PMP, CFA, CMA, CPCU) down the line.
3. Other professional development avenues – Use your free time to study areas of research and develop presentations that you can offer to your co-workers. I am working on this too. I am considering studying for the Actuary exams to enhance my knowledge of the insurance industry and other areas of interest (math, science, other languages, computer programming)
4. Side-gigs – Taxes, uber, whatever.
5. Volunteer/Clubs – Giveback to the community! Or join clubs for areas of interest!
6. Other hobbies – Anything that stimulates you and occupies your mind. Someone mentioned chess and that's something that I have considered. If your hobby is related to your profession or makes you money, even better!

Hey cessnapilot30, do you work accounting in the insurance industry?

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

[mitchvols]

I am with you. I got the result of my last exam on Thursday night/Friday morning. And I don't know what to do with myself. Worst part is, this is the first Saturday all year that college football isn't huge.

For the people saying to go after another designation, nope, absolutely not. I fully plan on being totally unproductive on my Saturdays. I will play video games until my eyes bleed.

[Ryan]

This post is sad. The day after I was done studying, I was glad to enjoy my family and other passions in life. I was not thinking….”ohhh shucks, I feel so empty now that I can't abdondon my family, friends and hobbies after a long day of work and go into my basement and grind out 150 mcq”. COME ON PEOPLE…LIVE LIFE!!! IT'S WAY TOO SHORT

[mitchvols]

And you are 100% right. But I have never understood it, but now I can kind of understand how felons feel when they get out of prison.

[Author]

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