[kahtwoloo]

Hi all.

I graduated Spring 2012 and started studying for the CPA exam that fall VASTLY underestimating it. By Dec. 2014 I only had one section passed and a years worth of close attempts at AUD but ultimately failing and giving up. This is when life threw a couple of curve balls. The entire time I was studying I had no job (economy was worse than national average here) and I couldn’t afford exams. I ended up taking a few crappy temp jobs and eventually got a permanent low paying job last Feb and I’ve been working to pay my debt down. Now that I’ve caught my breath I’m considering trying to get this out again but I’m not sure how that will look to employers? ZERO accounting experience, no internships, two years of studying and not having the exams passed, a ‘ghost’ year where I was working and doing what? and then another say, year, studying again. Would employers even bother with me at this point? I’m not even going to lie, I’ve been half assing my entire life but it was more on the 3/4 assing end so I dunno.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[marqzho]

I took the exam not from the employment stand point. I just don't want to feel “incomplete” in my life. When I die, I want to check all the items in my LIFE to-do list LOL. I don't have public accounting experience. I may not even need that CPA word on my resume in the future but I am still taking it.

I graduated 2009. I first applied the exam in 2011 and I just passed one section last month 🙂

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[Tncincy]

Hey we have all been there at some point. Many of us ask the same questions after spending money, studying hard (we feel), only to fail again….but the question is easy to answer, If you want it, go get it. It's not going to be easy earning that CPA designation, college wasn't easy and neither is this, so don't look for the easy way out. In my opinion, the easy way out is giving up. Just because you don't have experience doesn't mean you can't get it…and the employers don't know how many times you took the exam….they really don't care as long as you pass all four parts. That's the goal, pass them all. Put some money to the side, or get a credit card for the cpa exam venture only so you will be able to pay for materials or nts when necessary.
I started this journey over two years ago, failed far once and failed reg twice, wasted a year getting things together only to allow time to pass and nothing done and no parts passed. I've tried various study methods and spent on various study materials only to find that ninja works best for me. I hope this translate into a pass. I know how you feel, but you didn't come to this forum for anyone to tell you not to try again…..it won't happen. So go ahead, get your mind set to pass this time. Give it ALL you have, you won't regret it. Read some success stories posted to get that excitement back. If they can pass do so can we…..#got the nerves to try again #not cared of a little test # bring it on ( my daughter told me about this # thing…lol)

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Last Chance CPA]

Your exams scores definitely show that you are half-assing it. I half-assed my twenties away, and always felt unfulfilled. I got my MBA at 28 and felt unfulfilled. I finally got a second chance at education with the CPA exams after half-assing the classes.

I busted my butt on the CPA exams and finally passed last year. Will I ever use it? Maybe not, but man is it a good feeling! Mind you I have a great six-fig job now and have had great work throughout my 30s. I struggled in my 20s only.

You need a confidence boost in life, but also be realistic about how hard these exams are…1 for 9 is not a good statistic. If you get super serious though, you can do it. How's your job situation? Maybe get that under wraps first?

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Tiesto]

Kahtwooloo – Im sitting for FAR in Feb. 1st attempt ever. I graduated in 2011 with the bad economy too, no accounting job, no acct internships, etc. But now I work at a pretty good company finally. Yes, give the CPA another try. YOLO – you only live once. (Drake)

FAR 02/22/16- fail, 5/23/16 retake
AUD, BEC, REG - tbd

[Martin]

Kahtwooloo, your best motivations should be the 2017 changes. If NASBA is considering giving you 2 years instead of 18 months before your credit expires, then that means that the new exam will be hard as fudge. I didn't even need to hear about the extra 6 months to realize that an exam that is around 50% simulations will be a lot harder than what we have now.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Anonymous]

I completely understand the idea of half assing life. The only thing I was good at when I graduated college was partying. I was wasted every night and barely even remember most weekends. It was fun for a while, but eventually I realized I was going no where. I got my act together and found a decent job that I was good at. Now I'm 28 and still working on my license. I have taken Financial once, Audit 4 times and BEC 3 times. I passed audit on the 4th try, and was so happy that I went on a 2 month “break” which consisted of more partying. When I got back into studying, I failed BEC twice and realized I was going to let Audit expire. It was that point that I looked myself in the mirror and realized I had accomplished nothing in my life and I was about to let the only accomplishment I was even close to achieving, slip away.

I started over with BEC and I passed with an 81. Was I happy at 1 am when I got my score? Hell yeah! But the next morning I bought my regulations book and within a week I was back at this. This test is a marathon that you have to sprint through. You have suffered, and trust me, I get it. Don't give up.

My biggest realization was saying “No more excuses!” Don't feel good? Too bad. Friends having a party? maybe next time. Working late? Yeah that's what CPA's do. This journey is going to make your destination filled with GOLD!

So to answer your question, is it worth it?

Employers can get past “ghost years” when your name has 3 letters after it. If this test was easy, everyone would have it. Keep your head up. You will get there.

[Author]

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