I have the third attempt of Audit exam in 2 days and my credit is expiring this quarter. Working hard on the exam and applying for tax internship position. Today I got a rejection from mid-size CPA firm. I am so disappointed that I am neither passing FAR and Audit and not getting even a single opportunity to begin the practical experience.
Don't even let the “rejection” get to you. Once you are done with the exam it will be easy to have the job opportunities lined up for you. Just think about passing the exam because THAT is your golden ticket.
It's fourth quarter baby and you are at the 2-minute mark. Time to get clutch!
@BrickellCPA you are so right. I am concerned because I read in this forum that even after passing all sections many candidates struggle to get employment. At the same time the process of this exam is challenging and it becomes very difficult to stay confident.
everything you're saying is true for the masses but doesn't mean it will be true for you. keep your head down and work hard. one day we'll all pass this $#!@$ test. then when it's time to market yourself to jobs make sure they realize how special you are. it's up to you to present yourself in the best possible light and be an asset to a company. when those things happen opportunities will present themselves. nothing will happen overnight. but small steps everyday build up. I'm telling you from experience. I look back at 32 yrs old and marvel at how much I've done so far yet look ahead and know to get to my bigger goals it'll take another 3,000 small steps. in 10 yrs I'll look back and think the same thing.
also IMO you can never lose your inner strength, maybe fear/anxiety/depression may overshadow it but do the things that make you feel like your old self and pull that strength and drive out. I really believe you can do it, believe it yourself too.
I feel like complete and utter shit having lost Bec, and retaking it is the last thing I want to do. I have so much to tend to but I'm taking my own advice and will proceed and succeed. we're in it together.
I feel the CPA exam is something you have control over. I mean if one studies enough they SHOULD pass.
As for employment nothing is in your control. Someone posted on here they had a MST and passed 3/4 cpa parts AND 3.75 GPA and struggling to find work. For people right out out of school it is not even about GPA, passing CPA, etc…it is about who you know AND how good of a personality fit you are with the firm. After all you will be there for 60 hours plus a week during busy season so they want to make sure you are a good personality fit.
Often times, our feelings of failure and rejection come as a result of comparing ourselves to others. I know this from personal experience. It's unfortunate that we constantly compare ourselves in society to one another. However, you really can't do this. Does this other person share your same testimony, experiences, trials, etc.? Instead, compare yourself to who you were last year or the year before.
I'll be taking FAR for the 4th time on Thursday (look at my signature). I am in danger of losing BEC in January and I still have REG to go. But, I am not giving up. If you keep working for what you want, it will eventually come. Sometimes, I believe God (I'm a spiritual person) allows rejection to both develop a person's character for better or to steer them away from something that wasn't good for them.
Let me share with you a short story from a few weeks ago. I'm an avid car enthusiast and I attended a BMW function where you get to drive a car really fast through cones in a parking lot. It's called autocross and you compete for the best time. If you hit any cones while driving through them, there is a 2 second penalty added for every cone to your final time. There was one guy who hit a cone and essentially dragged it under the front bumper of his car for most of the race. We all thought that he was going to have the slowest time. Instead, he had the second fastest time and it would have been the fastest time if it weren't for the cone penalty. The lesson of the story is that he had the opportunity to give up when he hit that cone and started dragging it. He didn't. He kept going at 100% and didn't let it faze him.
Tell yourself that you are going to pass these exams and believe it! Also, my best advice for audit is doing a lot of Ninja MCQ and taking notes. You can do the MCQ quickly since its mainly conceptual. Good luck. Also, check out the song at the YouTube link below. Not a Miley Cyrus fan but this cover is amazing and what you need to hear right now.
“@BrickellCPA you are so right. I am concerned because I read in this forum that even after passing all sections many candidates struggle to get employment. At the same time the process of this exam is challenging and it becomes very difficult to stay confident.”
But you don't think about that. You need to focus and think about the exam and the exam only. Gotta put your head down and focus on what needs to get done. All the rest is noise. Mind over matter.
@Lentilcounter thank you so much for sharing the story. I am also a religious person and have faith in God. I want to focus on the exam and convince myself that this time will pass soon.
Wow. Great feedback everyone and excellent stories about overcoming adversity.
This exam is really, really challenging. Tons of very smart candidates do not pass for various reasons. However, most candidates that pass have an inner drive and determination unlike others who drop out after a fail or two. I have had to pick myself up off the the canvas countless times over the past 18 months. But, I refuse to give up and I CAN and WILL pass these exams – just like ALL of you!!! It’s all about making sacrifices and realizing you will not have a life for the next year or 2. If you are able to accept not having a life for 1-2 years, then you have a decent shot at passing if you work really hard. Those are my thoughts.
Goodluck everyone and let’s keep pushing ahead. Focus and accomplish short term goals to achiever your long term goal of becoming a CPA!!!
@blue I wish it was 1-2 years. I've literally given up social life, cooking, health, holidays, vacations, a lot of housework, everything thinking I'd be done in 18 months. here I am still going at almost 2 years with 2 exams left (due to losing one), I just tell myself a little bit more. been saying that for a year now. I'm not gonna give up ever but I just need a break, it's unbelievable to me that I'm not done already.
I am really sorry that you lost an exam credit and have been at this for 2 years. I commend you for making all of those sacrifices and still pushing on to conquer this Beast.
You have already passed 3 exams, so you know you are fully capable of passing all 4. Your drive to succeed shows character and a strong work ethic that employers are dying to have.
Keep up the good work and knock out your short term goals. I desperately need a break too, but still I rise despite terrible depression, burnout, and isolation.
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