[moopie]

I just began studying for the CPA exam, and it’s not what I was expecting at all. To give a background, I got a Bachelors degree years ago (~10), was working in Accounting under a CPA at that time but wanted to pursue Marketing (idk wtf), so ended up with a BS BME in that. I kept that job and still have it, but the terms have changed, because now I have a 4 & 6 year old. A year ago, still in Accounting (but telecommuting and working at night), I thought maybe I should try to do something more with myself to help support our family more. I went back to school (online) and stressed through an awful fall, spring and summer session to get my education requirements, and a second BS, in Accounting.

So, here I am. I have both requirements and I am studying using Gleim. I will never work in public accounting. I do not want to ever have a job in a firm as a CPA. It seemed like a good choice because I thought it would expand my work from home options, having little kids and all. I want to have another child, someday, but I feel my clock ticking. Although I did great in school and felt I understood the material, and I have been doing various small business Accounting stuff for the past 10 years for work, I am doing terribly on the practice stuff. I didn’t expect it to be easy but I didn’t think I would be starting from, what feels like the bottom. I feel stupid for thinking I could get by studying at night with the kids homeschooled and working. I know people do it, but this feels like more than an ~18 month commitment and I feel its also making me a bit crazy in the interim. I most certainly couldn’t be pregnant or have a newborn while trying to do any of this.
Is this worth it? Is there anyone who started and wishes they hadn’t?

The more time and money I spend on this the worse I feel, and I am worried even passing (if I get there) won’t make up for what I’m missing as a result. Thanks for the advice!

[glopooka]

It is a lot, that is for sure. I have a 5 year old and a bun in the oven due at the end of January. I have been studying like it is my full time job, and I am very luck to be able to hold off on the job market until I am done. I don't know how the people do it who have jobs and kids. Even with my situation I miss out on a lot. Hubby and kid have to leave sometimes on the weekends when it gets closer to exam time (like today). And you say that you homeschool them? that's a lot of work. You sound like a really hard worker though. Don't give up yet.

[moopie]

Thanks, Glopooka. Thats wonderful that you can do that! My husband can't take the kids because we have our own business, so there is no “time off”; I feel like asking for something like that is counterproductive to our efforts. He would, but I know it wouldn't be easy. My eldest is gifted which is what led to the homeschooling (she is in 2nd grade but would be in K now), but it comes along with its own host of emotional issues (like never sleeping.. O_O). I studied all last night from 7-11, the kids were up at 5:30, and I am a total crank! I feel terrible about it. I feel like a baby for complaining about this all and even having trouble with it!

Is there anyone out there that decided this was NOT the path for them? Just wondering what led to that decision? I find os many people wishing they had done it – no one glad they ran the other way. lol Thanks again!

[CS]

You’ve already come this far you just need to set a time schedule optimal for your studying. I also work full time with a wife, also full time in a senior position and I have two very little ones. Honestly my main key was waking up early everyday without question and getting it done. For a year slept 3-4 hours per night everyday and was well worth it, sometimes 2. I never studied at night and kept weekends free for the family. However it took a couple of exams for me to understand my optimal study method (I passed both FAR and AUD first time but by the time I hit BEC I knew what worked for me). My second was born a couple of days after tax season, I thought there was no way I was passing BEC or REG because of life circumstances but both ended up being my highest scores. I think I just had enough of studying and thinking about the exam and honestly just pissed me off and fueled me to get it done. You will get there but definitely have a solid plan of action, best of luck

[MaLoTu]

Do you need a CPA to get the job you want in accounting or are your recent classes/ degree in accounting enough to get that job?

You sound extremely stressed and understandablely so. I am not really sure it is worth it if you don’t want to go into public.

I have an 11 and 13 year old. I am in public audit. I do get flexibility, pay is not great. But it would be much much harder to do this job if they were smaller.

Since you have a job, I would put my feelers out to see what you jobs you are looking at getting if you make the move without a CPA and use that as a litmus test to the worth of going through the CPA.
It is not impossible for you to get through the tests. You will have to sacrifice, but it is worth it if you and your family are going to benefit in the end. That needs to be determined by you.

[Anonymous]

A CPA license is instant recognition. And CPA's know better than anyone else how hard it is to get one. I got hired as a staff accountant at literally the first firm I applied to after passing, and they already know I'm not some wannabee “accountant” who can barely understand journal entries.

So if you have the chance to get the CPA, I would pursue it with no regrets, even if it may or may not seem necessarily “useful” in your current job or career.

[moopie]

Thanks for all of the replies, I truly appreciate it. Knowing the CPA is widely accepted and looks great is exactly why I wanted to pursue it considering all I needed was a few extra classes and had been working in the industry for so many years. That being said, having little kids at home is not the same as being the primary caretaker of those little kids (or having to be pregnant/nurse them!). If I were working at a job I am sure I could finagle this. They are still in bed with me at night and there is no waking up before them at 5am. I have had to cut out my “me” time entirely to swing this, stop running on the treadmill in the evenings, etc.

So in other words: If you didn't HAVE to get your CPA, if you intended to NEVER plan on working in public accounting but you only needed.to pass the test to get it, but in order to do that you would not get to do ANYTHING for yourself for however long it would take you to pass, would you still try? Include never getting to go to the bathroom alone, too, because the evening “study” time is the only time.I can shower etc. in peace!

[Missy]

The CPA designation is a marketing tool outside of public accounting and at some point may be the difference between you getting a job offer vs another candidate.

I never have and never will work in public, but I am the Financial Operations Manager for a group of companies across N. America (4 companies in US and Canada). I likely would not have even been considered for the position without my license, and I passed the exams while a single mother of 2 active kids ( 11 and 17 a't the time), working full time and finishing my Master's degree. There's no shame in saying this isn't the path you want to follow or the right time to do it, but if you choose to it is absolutely possible.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[MaLoTu]

Are you getting it so that you can get an accounting position? Sorry, but that is what I initially thought and not sure if that is what you are saying.

I mentioned above putting out feelers on the job market without having it. See if it makes sense to make the switch (if that is what you are planning to do). You can always start working in a relevant role and pursue your CPA when the timing is right. It doesn’t sound like this is your priority at this point in your life and that is fine. But, in order to be successful at the exam it will have to be your priority for a little while. And I for yes that means the CPA study time is your “me time”. It sucksand you need to make sure it is worth it to you.

[Recked]

It's completely normal to feel stuck at the bottom of a bottomless pit when you first start, especially on FAR.
Just keep pressing on. I also found it easier to study and focus early morning vs late at night. You have to try different methods and see what works best for you.
There is no one size fits all with the CPA. Lots of trial and error. Your feelings are completely normal.

[Author]

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