[Anonymous]

I am sure many of us have asked ourselves this question before. Please share your reasons, comments as to why you believe in the C.P.A designation and how it has changed your life?

I am a C.P.A Candidate. Scheduled exams below. First Timer!

BEC-5/28

REG-7/25

Thank you

[Martin]

Im in South Florida, Im just going by what the owner of the accounting practice tells me. He would love to have the time to study for the CPA, but the last time he passed REG, he could not study from Jan to April, and then failed FAR.

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]

It's because it's the most respected and prestigious certification for accountants there is. CPA is viewed highly by the profession, the regulatory bodies, and by the society. If you had two job candidates with the exact same experience and qualifications competing over a higher up position, such as a CFO, but one is a CPA and one isn't, you will most likely to select the one with the CPA designation. If you don't get certified, it'll hurt you in the future in one way or another. Let's not kid ourselves. That's why I'm in the library everyday and not going out during this great weather :).. Also, I personally question the abilities and discipline of a non-CPA accountant: please don't judge me lol

[taxgeek83]

I know some very intelligent, talented EAs, but to be honest, if I was a business owner and knew nothing about anything, I'd pick a CPA over an EA to do my tax work for me every time.

Aside from that, the career prospects are far more numerous with a license than without. That and it's just cool to slide the whole “I'm a CPA” thing into a conversation now and then…. 🙂

[Martin]

The accounting profession has turned into a 6 year ordeal. You need to have a bachelors which is 4 years all together, then another year for your masters and another year for the CPA exam. The question is, do we make the same amount of money other professionals make after 6 years of education? A pharmacist and a dentist both study for 6 years, and there is no way that can make the same amount of money. All the PAs and nurse practitioners also study for 6 years and they make more than 140K. Most CPAs do not make more than 85K.

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

[AJE]

Martin, I agree that there is a bit of discrepancy regarding the certification and the amount of payment that we receive. However, it does seem that getting certified is a bit tougher now so that should theoretically increase the value of being licensed.

In addition, I would say that our industry is a bit more broad and the amount of money we make is based on significantly more factors.

With the knowledge we have, and the knowledge we gain, there is no reason that we (most/many of us) shouldn't be able to get to a Director, Controller, or CFO level. If you are able to handle yourself well professionally there are many ways to be at a relatively high level in 5 to 8 years.

For those other ones you listed it seems like an end all position (not talking about pay, just what you do). If people know exactly what they want to do then that probably is a much better return on their educational and time investment. For people like me that want to have the ability to switch positions, companies, responsibilities, etc every 3 to 5 years it is better to do something like this.

FAR 91 - 04/16
BEC 87 - 05/15
REG 77 - 07/27
AUD 92 - 08/31

[cool_kid]

There is no way all PAs and nurse practitioners make more than 140k, only a few of them do. And even then, I would say most cap out around 130k-140k.

[spikesrd]

I cannot think of one valid reason to NOT pursue your CPA license if you are planning to stay in accounting and finance for the duration of your career. Strikes me as a bit odd when I see people with tons of experience in the field and no credentials. When is the last time you heard of a corporate controller or CFO without at least one recognized credential?

“The reward for work well-done is more work.”

BEC - 05/26/2015 77
AUD - 07/27/2015 88
FAR - 08/31/2015 80
REG - 11/30/2015 73, 04/18/2016 80 Done!!!

[Martin]

PAs and nurse practitioners make more than 140k here in South Fl, I do taxes for many of them.

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]

Hi Martin.

What is the market like in south Florida for the CPA profession ? I'd love to relocate there. Thanks.

[law0915]

This obnoxious guy seems to not think it is. Granted he's not a CPA to my knowledge, so I'm not sure how his opinion is valid. I think it's worth it. The 150 credits is stupid. A bachelor's should be enough.

https://youtu.be/RyRvKjzbtsA His other videos make sense about Masters Degrees ect.

REG 77 Feb14
BEC 13*, 79 Aug14
FAR 64**, 76 Nov14
AUD 89 Feb15

*Exited exam after first testlet
**Only studied F1-F6 out of 10 Becker chapters

Licensed Arizona CPA

[Rocky123]

Becoming a CPA opened the door for me at my new job. It doesn't require it, but passing impressed the hell out of my employer. It shows that you are dedicated, resourceful, determined, etc. All of these qualities are important for any job in any field.

When I feel stupid at work, I think, “If I can pass the CPA exam, I can figure this out.”

Passing has increased my self confidence in spades. Even if it doesn't pay off “financially”, the confidence it gave me is worth its weight in gold.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[fsugirl2005]

I'm still on the fence about this. It seems like every time I start studying, I get sidetracked with life. I am a single mother and I run my own accounting practice(no taxes). I have no assistant but I make between $55K and $60K without the license. I know I would make a lot more with the certification but it's hard trying to get in the studying.

So from my experience, it is NOT necessary for public accounting unless you want to do audits and represent someone before the IRS. Otherwise, you can get the experience working for public accounting firms and then branch out on your own. I think though if you're going to go out on your own without the license, you need to know full cycle accounting, how to do month-end and year-end closes, how to prepare draft financial statements with accuracy for CPA review/tax preparation.

I will eventually get through the studying and accomplish this. I don't know when though.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[ocarina]

So, to flip the question, what would be a more beneficial use of your time? There's very few things that can, besides being completely outside of the field. That would just mean you're working on some other type of professional certification or degree. Totally worth short term pain for long term benefit!!! It will take of me for the rest of my life!

FAR - 78
AUD - 82
REG - 79
BEC - 78

Study Materials: Becker Self Study, NINJA Notes, NINJA MCQ for review
Started March 2015 and finished December 2015 all on first attempt. Licensed CPA Jan 2016.

IT Auditor/CyberSec Consultant in Public Accounting
Future goals: Learn IT Network infrastructure, obtain CISA & CISSP

[Anonymous]

I got my CPA for a couple reasons: I thought it may help me down the road, but more importantly, I wanted it. That was it. It seemed like it was part of actually being an accountant. However, working in public accounting long-term wasn't my goal. I think having the CPA helped me get my current job (Controller at a small college), but it isn't a requirement. Did I need it? Probably not, but I wanted it, so I got it. Now I'll have it forever for the price of around $200 every 2 years, which is worth it to me. Now CMA on the other hand…I planned to do that next, but had to admit I don't really have a use for it, and it's going to cost more for CPE and renewals, so CPA will be enough for me.

[Author]

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