[Tono23]

Hello A71 family – for those of that have followed know my immense struggle with this exam. To those that are unfamiliar, I will provide you an exceprt, for those that are informed, kindly skip to the second paragraph. I started this journey way back in 2010, the year I graduated from undergrad. Fast forward a few months, grandfather past, which I assisted with his healthcare i.e., dr. appointments, Rx refills, hospital visits, etc. Fast forward two years, father unexpectedly passed. Dusted myself off, and continued with the exams. Fail after fail after fail after fail!!!!! From 2010 through 2017.

Fast forward to 2016-2017, I gained employment with a mid-tier firm as an audit associate. I studied and took BEC in DEC 2016. I decided to check my score while waiting for my flight to board, and I see a BIG FAT “F” and a score of a lovely 48. My study habits are as follows: read the book, solve mcqs until I puke, and repeat. Additionally, I take notes as well. I have been using Becker all these years, I tried Roger, but that did not work for me.

Furthermore, I am over taking these exams. I have never passed a single section since the inception of this journey. To me, this has become a stale marriage which has lost its novelty. I am unimaginably tired of failing, unimaginably sick of putting an effort and not being bale to pass, unimaginably done with feeling defeated, incompetent and fearful for my job and future!!

With all that said, is it okay to walk away from this torture?! Given what I have been through and how I kept on getting up and trying to only keep on losing and not succeeding! I feel like I am in an abusive relationship, a relationship in which my spouse has committed adultery, a relationship which I detest!! And I want out, I want out!!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am done with this exam! Kindly try to understand the emotions stated on the above paragraph, and then some, for all these years! I fear for my job and future!!

Why am I fearful for my job and future. Well, all cpa firms want their staff to become certified and not to mention promotion. I have heard stories of firms letting people go for not being cpas. I fear that by not being able to pass this exam, I will not be employed in industry as well. Those are my biggest fears: losing my job at the firm and not being able to find employment in industry!

Moreover, those are the reasons why I am considering a career change; I would like to transition into physical therapy. They will forever have a job, so job security is not an issue. They will forever be in demand due to baby boomers population aging. Plus I am fluent in oral and written Spanish. However, I would be giving up 3 years of salary and incur a paramount of additional debt. Approximately 70k Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in addition to my 50k for this accounting degree.

Thank you for all of those who opined on this matter and I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

[Yolonge]

I know majority of people will say finish the exam but I believe this exam is not for everybody and there is nothing wrong with not finishing the exam.
Not everyone needs a CPA certification and not many will actually use it to the best extent.

It is helpful in accounting industry and business in general, but you do not need it to be employed.
Since you are thinking about changing profession into different industry, I would say stop the process because you are not benefiting from it.

If the exam was that easy everyone will become a CPA. It is not that’s why the license is (somewhat) prestigious.
It is time to say good bye and it is quite aright. Best luck in your endeavor.

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[Substantive Testing]

Have you considered taxes? EA test is not as draining as the CPA test.

[Trele6]

Stop torturing yourself. If you believe you gave maximum effort and don't feel like you left anything on the table and couldn't get through the exams don't keep hurting your moral/feelings/wallet etc. Do somethign that makes you happy. You can still be a great accountant without this certification. I've been in industry for 13 years. I love it, I would never consider public accounting. They are treated like slaves and have no life. I have work life balance and love it while still making over 100k/yr.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[ruggercpa2b]

I totally agree that sometimes its best to walk away and maybe come back later. Its good to take a break if you have been going since 2010. I took a year off and then came back to it. I felt so much better after my break.

With a score in the 40s I am not sure if you are truly grasping the concepts. Also, I would not be concerned about job security. Yes at a CPA firm you will not be able to stay and get to manager without a CPA license but you can certainly stay till senior. Also, you can get a job in industry without your CPA. Granted having the CPA may put your resume at the top of the pile compared to other candidates.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Char143]

I don't know if I feel right saying walk away or keep going, but I've worked for at a few places and a lot of my managers who did very well for themselves weren't CPA's, their boss was but they had been there many many years and none of them had a cpa license. I wouldn't be worried that you couldn't get a job. Maybe a break is what you need, if anything. Take a few years.. come back and see where you are in the material.

AUD (2/16)-84
REG (05/16)-69 Retake (7/16)-79 (ty ninja MCQ)
BEC-TBD
FAR-9/8/16

[Anonymous]

I totally feel for you!! There is nothing worse than putting tons of effort into something that never pans out. Yeah, you may not need the CPA credential. I don't need
it either, at least not at this point, but I WANT the thing. That's why I'm doing this. *Want* and *need* are the operative words. If either one applies to you, then
I wouldn't stop trying. If neither does, then you're wise to move on with your career and just don't think about it anymore.

You said you did Becker and Roger. I'm using Roger and I can totally see why it maybe didn't work for you. Although I can't recommend it because I haven't used it,
I have seen Ninja's materials and it seems like they distill a lot of the difficult stuff down and make it understandable. I'll probably end up going the Ninja route later
if I have to.

If it's any consolation, I've changed careers twice. I was in my last job for a decade before the market totally died on the software products we were selling. Because
I knew Accounting and had gotten a degree in it, I started working as an accountant. I'm 40 years old. Not young, but way too young to retire. I make only a modest
amount of money. I'm near the bottom of the totem pole, but trying to climb higher. When I hear about kids in their 20s passing all 4 on the first try and landing splendid
jobs, it's hard to handle on some level. But – I keep going. We all have different backgrounds, and we're not all equally blessed. It's just life. But – whatever you do
(CPA or not), just refuse to ever give up. Like I say below in my signature line, “The only failure is the man who stays down after he falls.” I stole that quote from “Seabiscuit”. LOL!

My best of wishes to you!!! Keep posting too, that's what we're here for!

[Anonymous]

Hey Tono23,

I don't really enjoy delving into my personal life but I can relate with you somewhat. I'm sorry to hear about your father and I hope you are doing better. But understand this: you are capable of passing these exams. I think you are probably just not in a great mental state to be taking these exams.

Back in 2014 my best friend passed away in a car accident. I had passed FAR, my first exam, with a 75 and things were going well until that happened. Afterwards it became incredibly hard to study. I failed over and over and I basically gave up on the exam. Letting my FAR credit expire. But since then I always had the CPA exam at the back of my mind. Always felt bad for not finishing it. So earlier last year I decided that I had unfinished business and I would start this journey once again. I took and passed REG and took down FAR once again. It truly is difficult to study during something as traumatic such as death.

I personally think you are capable of passing these exams. Your low scores are a combination of your mental state and something that isn't working in your study habits. You need to get your mind right and then figure out how to best learn the material.

Also, if you are willing to throw away 3 years of salary on top of immense amounts of debt then you must really be set on that career path. Because you could also theoretically quit your job and study full time for these exams and not lose anywhere near that much amount of money. Just some perspective. But whatever choice you choose find a way to become happy again. That is the most important! Take some time off if you need it and come back if you want to. It is hard but you are capable of passing these exams!

[Missy]

I can't help but think you're looking for a reason to continue. Plenty of people walk away from the CPA path and never look back, and theres no shame in their game. This is the second time you've posted here looking for agreement that its time to walk away.

Its ok to walk away, nobody has to keep fighting a battle they choose not to fight. And it doesn't mean you're “defeated” to change directions in life.

On the other hand if even part of you WANTS this…………..you can get some pretty good motivation to keep fighting if you just ask.

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

[Anonymous]

For many public accounting firms, you don't have to get your CPA. It is encouraged, but a lot of times the only penalty is that you won't be considered for a promotion to management. Staff without CPA remain at the senior or perhaps supervisor level. It depends on the firm. If you are well liked, get your job done consistently, and help train new people, then you are contributing to your team and they keep you as a valuable asset. Perhaps ask someone you trust at the firm who has been there a long time.

Another piece of advice I heard when I worked in public is that you don't have a time limit to get your CPA. As long as you are “moving towards” getting your CPA, they don't care. So you could just give the same response year after year at your annual reviews – I am in the process of studying and taking exams.

As for working in industry, you don't have to have a CPA. Its more important to be easy to work with, get your work done correctly, and work there long enough to have a good understanding of the business. The only time I heard that CPA was required is when people are applying for Controller positions or above, and they usually require CPA if you want to become the CFO. But, sometimes other certifications can take the place of CPA. For example, in the manufacturing industry they sometimes prefer a CMA in managerial accounting.

My first career was in healthcare, and I left to become an accountant. The healthcare system is corrupt. I thought I would be able to help people, but most of my time was spent being abused, playing office politics, and struggling to survive on tiny paychecks. I worked in several different settings, so it wasn't a problem with the hospital I worked at. Its the industry. I'm not saying don't go into healthcare, but definitely take the time to research before you decide. Maybe work as an assistant before committing to a $70k degree program.

Good luck! I wish you the best!

[ultrarunner]

Hi Tono23, I feel your pain. I work in industry. Most of accountants in industry, I think, are not CPAs although it may be required for senior manager level and above. Otherwise, you will be fine. Industry prefers accountants with public accounting experience. So hang in your public accounting career for now. Best of luck!

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[CPYay]

@Tono

Your happiness is of the utmost importance. All else is simply a way to influence that happiness.

Don't let this exam define you. I've worked with people who would never even attempt this exam and they're just as successful (if not more) than those I've worked with who have the license.

If this exam buries your happiness, move on. Don't look back in regret. I applaud you for giving it as much effort as you did. Maybe one day you'll try again, and until then, enjoy how you spend your time.

[shawn in VA]

to the OP-

I have thought about quitting but just can't do it b/c I have invested so much time and money despite passing 1 part.

I cannot advice you on what to do, but best of luck and go with your GUT feelings. I think you have made your decision.

Seriously, give those that go leaps and bounds a score of 90 +. For those that put the time in we should at least get a 75. The AICPA has ZERO transparency. For example, those score reports when you fail are completely useless garbage. The exam should be mailed back to the test taker if you fail so you can study the wrong answers like one did in high school and college.

[Anonymous]

Agreed with Shawn about the score reports – utterly useless. I don't need to know exactly which questions I got wrong but more detail would be good.
Just telling me that I'm “Comparable” to others doesn't help me regardless of a pass or a fail.

This exam is crazy in so many ways – trying to understand all the stuff well enough to take and pass a part is a chore, and then dealing with the nuances and
other sordid stuff regarding the exam itself is another chore. Persevere if you need it or want it, that's all that can happen.

[Goingallin]

Tono, most of my friends that are in the field are not auditors. There are so many accounting jobs that are not audit related. Even without a CPA they make a pretty darn decent living. In some cases more than those with a cpa.

But if you completely feel there's another path for you other than Accounting, I think you should go for it.

[Missy]

In case my suspicion is correct that you're not really ready to walk away, I do want you to know your story is not unique here. There have been others who have been thrown off their game by personal tragedies, have made attempts that have not gone well, and kept coming back for many more years than 7. (Also probably more that have decided not to continue but I don't know their stories). The past is the past and there's no sense in dwelling on it. By my calculations you've sat just about a dozen times total over the years and most of those times you were probably distracted by your losses. So cut yourself some slack there. But I think the amount of work required to go into PT will be greater than the amount of work to pass four exams. With that said, you'd truly have to be PASSIONATE about your new career to justify it. If it just looks good on paper to you I suggest at least seeking feedback from other physical therapists before deciding, the grass may or may not be greener on that side of the fence. You absolutely positively can still be a CPA but you've got to want it like you want air in your lungs and have a fierce determination to slay this beast. When you decide to get up just ONE more time than you get knocked down no matter how exhausted you are, the magic starts to happen.

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

[Author]

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