I agree with cessna…after I finish the CPA exam, I'll probably look into other certifications. There are quite a few decent credentials out there that are significantly easier to get compared to the CPA exam. Wouldn't hurt to put in a few more months of studying and cough up a few extra dollars to beef up the resume and marketability.
I miss constantly learning but definitely don't miss the stress and strain it caused on my life. Since life after the CPA I feel like my brain is always in a rut, and not nearly as sharp.
I've thought about the CMA (tried the first part before I switched to the CPA). Besides that I don't have any ambition to get credentials. Securities have always intrigued me and I've thought about devoting some time to studying up on that. So I guess there is a part of me who secretly misses studying-I just don't like to admit it!
FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16
If you guys are overachievers like me, you'd want to find ways to get on a few Boards, the earlier you start, the better. I currently have a Director role in a local non-profit and it will make your resume stand out extra nice.
You don't necessarily have to get accounting/finance related certifications, you can look into industries and certifications you would genuinely enjoy.
For example, if you are into aviation you can get a pilot license…or if you are into property management you can get a CAM license.
Then that will give you a better opportunity to serve on a Board as a Director for a relevant company…and if you don't realize the benefits for doing this (since most people don't do it) then I won't spill the beans here since this is an anonymous forum and no one ever appreciates my comments or advice anyway 🙂
lol. Go ahead and study your life away. When I am done I am going to learn Italian and do more community service, travel, enjoy life. Some people pass CPA exam in 6 months while others take 2 years. If you can memorize a whole bunch of stuff easily then yeah you would get certifications depending on how to advance your career? When are you actually going to pick a sector to specialize in? You can get a whole bunch of certifications but what's your end goal?
Personally I will get back into my hobbies once I am done with CPA and have ZERO intentions of getting a masters or another certificate. Reason is I value my personal time AND no one at my work has masters or other certs besides a CPA and I work in public. This is a firm of 50 professional staff
I've been at this process for the last two years after fulfilling the education requirements in 2015/2016 and attack this beast of an exam starting in March of this year. Hopefully, come September 19th, I'm done forever.
Once I'm done, I will definitely look to get my life back and won't consider any other credentials (MBA, finishing my MAcc, CFE, etc.) until at least the end of next busy season.
I'd rather attempt to get those additional credentials with a re-charged batteries and a clear state of mind.
I'm with you OP. I'm not studying (waiting for my last results in September) and out of habit I'll grab my laptop and a B12 shot and sit there and think… wait… what am I doing?
Then I look over at my family (and WIFE) and realize I have a house to clean, dinners to help with, etc… all the stuff she's done the last 6 months without complaining. Makes me wish I had another test to study for 🙂
Can't say I miss studying yet because it is nice to be able to do happy hours during the week, go to the gym, and catch up on some reading but I can see how some people in our industry do miss it. If you are a very self driven person studying for the exam makes you feel accomplished and even after you are done with the exams you look for the next thing that you can accomplish. The one thing I don't believe in is adding a bunch of credentials behind your name without a specific reason. A CFE or CVA is not going to benefit you if you are not going to work in areas where one can be used. A CFA is the only credential (along with CPA) that carries weight anywhere you go forever until death do us apart. If you had CPA and CFA you could pretty much do anything, I mean anything.
I have friends who are financial advisors and say they would not benefit from getting a CFA. But what are they talking about? If they had a CFA they could me investment research analyst making so much more money. These are the guys who analyze investments and publish market outlooks and reports for the public. These guys are almost all CFA's and make a really good living.
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