[tomq04]

Anyone stopped to consider what is required to go from zero to hero? This is ignoring the bachelors degree, I am just considering everything on top.

150 credit requirement, those that finished 4 years with 120 credit, have to go back to school for those 30 credits. I did it through the community college taking Spanish, Technical Writing, and World Music. Work paid for this, but they paid almost $3000. A Master in Taxation at the local fancy pants school is $38,000, or an MBA at my alma mater EWU is still $12000.

Review Course- $1200 for CPAExcel, $3000 for Becker, and many flavors in between. (Can be done cheaper, Thanks Jeff!)

Exams- $1000 minimum just to take 4 sections + application. $~220/retake.

I’ve noticed that the CPA certification requires you be a working middle class to consider it, or be lucky enough to a job that pays for you to go through the process. My current $44k salary could have never gotten me through this with a wife + kid, fortunately I bargained for help when I was being hired.

What are your thoughts on the “difficulty” outside of the required time and effort to becoming a CPA, and is there a better solution?

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Mayo]

” tuition and fees for the 2013–2014 school year was $30,094 at private colleges”

“Of course you can take all your classes at a community college or cheap online courses but I'm assuming most CPA's don't go that route”

I'd say CC or online courses are definitely not the best decision if you want to really maximize your career in accounting. That being said, at least in my area, private school is not necessary. A well ranked state school with plenty of recruiting activity is more than enough. Not sure what others think. but the private school tuition seems like overkill to me. At least in the accounting field.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[tomq04]

In Washington state WSU and UW have more opportunities than the private schools at least in terms of accounting career recruiting. The price tag is about $20k/year vs $40k/year at the 2 private school in Spokane, $45-60k in the seattle area. Not worth the price of admission in my not so humble opinion.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

In Washington state WSU and UW have more opportunities than the private schools at least in terms of accounting career recruiting. The price tag is about $20k/year vs $40k/year at the 2 private school in Spokane, $45-60k in the seattle area. Not worth the price of admission in my not so humble opinion.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[005]

when you do pass it; you'll be wishing for more barriers to entry lol

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[005]

when you do pass it; you'll be wishing for more barriers to entry lol

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[Kimboroni]

I did my early classes at a community college and then moved on to a well-respected state school when I was out of 100 and 200 level courses to take. I found the level of education at the CC to be quite acceptable, and it's a good deal…. But I'm not trying to make partner at a big 4 or anything. I'm older and am fine with being a competent accountant and moving up to wherever that gets me in the time that I have.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Kimboroni]

I did my early classes at a community college and then moved on to a well-respected state school when I was out of 100 and 200 level courses to take. I found the level of education at the CC to be quite acceptable, and it's a good deal…. But I'm not trying to make partner at a big 4 or anything. I'm older and am fine with being a competent accountant and moving up to wherever that gets me in the time that I have.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[zieba]

“when you do pass it; you'll be wishing for more barriers to entry lol ” This.

The cost appears prohibitive but that's because it's being considered in a vacuum. The true cost to plow ahead with the certification, is its incremental cost above and beyond what you would have been doing.

If that not-yet-middle-class individual goes to some sort of technical or vocational school – because he could not afford to pursue the CPA – costs incurred to see that path through to the end are not zero.

Costs of a four year degree have skyrocketed in general. IMO, principally due to the loosening of school loan criteria during the bubble. That said, the incremental cost to push further with the CPA are not that large.

The big assumption in my example is that someone is already doing accounting for undergrad. As I can't imagine doing four years, and then going back in for a few more.

BTW, I was grandfathered in under the old rules :)~, got out of school before everything tripled. I'm counting my blessings.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

“when you do pass it; you'll be wishing for more barriers to entry lol ” This.

The cost appears prohibitive but that's because it's being considered in a vacuum. The true cost to plow ahead with the certification, is its incremental cost above and beyond what you would have been doing.

If that not-yet-middle-class individual goes to some sort of technical or vocational school – because he could not afford to pursue the CPA – costs incurred to see that path through to the end are not zero.

Costs of a four year degree have skyrocketed in general. IMO, principally due to the loosening of school loan criteria during the bubble. That said, the incremental cost to push further with the CPA are not that large.

The big assumption in my example is that someone is already doing accounting for undergrad. As I can't imagine doing four years, and then going back in for a few more.

BTW, I was grandfathered in under the old rules :)~, got out of school before everything tripled. I'm counting my blessings.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Author]

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