[Anonymous]

Anyone else studying on the down low so co-workers (who are also testing) and friends won’t bug you about your score if you unfortunately fail? I’m taking the last of my first round of exams Dec 5. I’m waiting for my reg score which should come out on the 22nd and I passed audit but failed FAR. As far as anyone else knows…..I’ve only taken far and studying for BEC now hahaha

[stephe49]

I had someone in my Master's class that did not want to share her experience with the CPA exam to anyone, and I thought it was really strange. Then, I heard some of the stories on this post and I understand why people may want to hide it. My take is, ‘hey, it is nice that people are considerate enough to ask me about me.” We live in a world where people put themselves as number one, so when people are given the opportunity to care about someone else, I think that is only better for us as a society.

On that note, I have come up with some common answers to frequently asked questions I have been presented with:

“How do you think you did?”

It is hard to say, because it depends how everyone else did.

“Why did you fail?” or “I am sorry you failed” “You were so close to passing, don't you feel bad?”

Don't be sorry for me. There is a reason I failed. No matter what it is, it just means that I am going to be more focused on the exam in the future. That way I am going to have a better understanding of the subject when I DO become a CPA.

“You have to have a life outside of studying”

I can bust my butt when I am yound and become a CPA, that way when I am older and want to relax I can reap the rewards of all my hard work I am putting in now. I can have two hours of fun now or two years of fun later.

The joy of being an independent person is that you can limit who you do share this experience with. My advice to anyone is only share it with positive people and people who are going to push you.

Good Luck!

F - 79 5/31/13
R - 68 07/12/13 Retake 88! 10/18/13
B - 78 08/31/13
A - 64 01/03/14 Retake 75! 5/23/14 I would rather have a 75 than a 99 any day!

[stephe49]

I had someone in my Master's class that did not want to share her experience with the CPA exam to anyone, and I thought it was really strange. Then, I heard some of the stories on this post and I understand why people may want to hide it. My take is, ‘hey, it is nice that people are considerate enough to ask me about me.” We live in a world where people put themselves as number one, so when people are given the opportunity to care about someone else, I think that is only better for us as a society.

On that note, I have come up with some common answers to frequently asked questions I have been presented with:

“How do you think you did?”

It is hard to say, because it depends how everyone else did.

“Why did you fail?” or “I am sorry you failed” “You were so close to passing, don't you feel bad?”

Don't be sorry for me. There is a reason I failed. No matter what it is, it just means that I am going to be more focused on the exam in the future. That way I am going to have a better understanding of the subject when I DO become a CPA.

“You have to have a life outside of studying”

I can bust my butt when I am yound and become a CPA, that way when I am older and want to relax I can reap the rewards of all my hard work I am putting in now. I can have two hours of fun now or two years of fun later.

The joy of being an independent person is that you can limit who you do share this experience with. My advice to anyone is only share it with positive people and people who are going to push you.

Good Luck!

F - 79 5/31/13
R - 68 07/12/13 Retake 88! 10/18/13
B - 78 08/31/13
A - 64 01/03/14 Retake 75! 5/23/14 I would rather have a 75 than a 99 any day!

[Anonymous]

That's a lame reason to fire someone. To be clear, the partners of my firm know that I'm studying and taking the exam. It's the rest of the staff and managers that don't know.

I don't condone lying, but it's really none of their business. It's like if someone at work asked me if I have a girlfriend. If I didn't want them to know then I'd say no, because it's none of their business unless I make it their business.

[Anonymous]

That's a lame reason to fire someone. To be clear, the partners of my firm know that I'm studying and taking the exam. It's the rest of the staff and managers that don't know.

I don't condone lying, but it's really none of their business. It's like if someone at work asked me if I have a girlfriend. If I didn't want them to know then I'd say no, because it's none of their business unless I make it their business.

[Kenada]

Most of my co -workers know I am taking the CPA exam but only my supervisor knows how many I have passed so far. I have to say he is very nice and very encouraging.

So if anyone asks I just say yep still studying 🙂

My family has given up asking me to do things with them or attend any social event. The only question my dad will say from time to time, Are you done yet?

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[Kenada]

Most of my co -workers know I am taking the CPA exam but only my supervisor knows how many I have passed so far. I have to say he is very nice and very encouraging.

So if anyone asks I just say yep still studying 🙂

My family has given up asking me to do things with them or attend any social event. The only question my dad will say from time to time, Are you done yet?

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[Anonymous]

I took 3 of my tests while working at a public accounting firm where I spoke openly about it – then switched to a private accounting job where the CPA would really “over qualify” me, so I did mention it in passing before getting the job (told my future boss that I'd have to interview in the morning since I was taking part of the CPA exam in the afternoon), but kept quiet about it after that. Had to ask a co-worker about the schedule through month-end since I had a test to study for but didn't say what test…and somehow mentioned it to one other coworker but I don't remember how that came up. Neither coworker asked anything more about it…so, no one at work knows that I'll be a CPA as soon as the paperwork gets done! 😛 I'll save that trump card for when I'm seeking promotion, I guess. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I took 3 of my tests while working at a public accounting firm where I spoke openly about it – then switched to a private accounting job where the CPA would really “over qualify” me, so I did mention it in passing before getting the job (told my future boss that I'd have to interview in the morning since I was taking part of the CPA exam in the afternoon), but kept quiet about it after that. Had to ask a co-worker about the schedule through month-end since I had a test to study for but didn't say what test…and somehow mentioned it to one other coworker but I don't remember how that came up. Neither coworker asked anything more about it…so, no one at work knows that I'll be a CPA as soon as the paperwork gets done! 😛 I'll save that trump card for when I'm seeking promotion, I guess. 🙂

[HeartsMimiCPA]

I work for a non-profit now and the CPA isn't necessary for my position but I want it for my own personal career goals. At first I told a few people within my department that I was studying, they knew the exam dates and everything. I ended up getting a 65 on AUD and a 70 on REG. Another employee who also has plans to sit overheard me tell another coworker that I didn't pass and the eavesdropping coworker laughed! She said she laughed because of the way I said it… (BS) Anyway this time around I've been more hush about my studying and exam date.

AUD - 65, 89!
REG - 70, 89!
FAR - 78!
BEC - 77!

Finally!
Experience 06/30/15
Ethics-Done

VA Licensed 09/15/15

[HeartsMimiCPA]

I work for a non-profit now and the CPA isn't necessary for my position but I want it for my own personal career goals. At first I told a few people within my department that I was studying, they knew the exam dates and everything. I ended up getting a 65 on AUD and a 70 on REG. Another employee who also has plans to sit overheard me tell another coworker that I didn't pass and the eavesdropping coworker laughed! She said she laughed because of the way I said it… (BS) Anyway this time around I've been more hush about my studying and exam date.

AUD - 65, 89!
REG - 70, 89!
FAR - 78!
BEC - 77!

Finally!
Experience 06/30/15
Ethics-Done

VA Licensed 09/15/15

[KatriceB05]

@CPADilemma Nope! You're definitely not the only person who's trying to keep it a secret. I haven't told many people for that same reason. I just want to show up one day with my certificate and announce “I'm a CPA now!”

BEC - 2014
AUD - Nov 15, 2013 TBD
REG - 2014
FAR - Jan 2014

[KatriceB05]

@CPADilemma Nope! You're definitely not the only person who's trying to keep it a secret. I haven't told many people for that same reason. I just want to show up one day with my certificate and announce “I'm a CPA now!”

BEC - 2014
AUD - Nov 15, 2013 TBD
REG - 2014
FAR - Jan 2014

[sgustin]

I have been trying to keep it on the down low because I work at a CPA firm and if they knew I already failed REG twice they probably wouldn't look at me the same. However, when I bring my materials in to study during lunch they ALWAYS ask me when I am taking it. I have just started to answer “when I am ready…” and they drop the subject. I did take REG and am waiting for my score on Nov 22. Now I am studying for audit, which is scheduled this saturday, and then I am hoping to take BEC on dec 6. *fingers crossed* But I agree telling everyone gives added pressure because they constantly ask you if you passed or not.

A - (64) (73) (75)
R - (82)
F - (67)
B -

[sgustin]

I have been trying to keep it on the down low because I work at a CPA firm and if they knew I already failed REG twice they probably wouldn't look at me the same. However, when I bring my materials in to study during lunch they ALWAYS ask me when I am taking it. I have just started to answer “when I am ready…” and they drop the subject. I did take REG and am waiting for my score on Nov 22. Now I am studying for audit, which is scheduled this saturday, and then I am hoping to take BEC on dec 6. *fingers crossed* But I agree telling everyone gives added pressure because they constantly ask you if you passed or not.

A - (64) (73) (75)
R - (82)
F - (67)
B -

[samdiegoCPA]

Everyone knows I am studying basically at all times, but I don't tell many at all when I am taking the test or when I find out the score until I know I have passed or… ugh failed (like my first four times).

I always tell them “oh a few weeks”. My friends all figure it out, though, when I stop going out on the weekends a few weekends before hand. Then they know something is up.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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