[rebekahd543]

I am graduating college with a public accounting degree in a few days. My plan was to start taking the CPA exam in July.

I have never been 100% about getting the public accounting degree/taking the CPA exam. I would rather work for a smaller company than a public firm. But I was so close to having all the credits necessary to get the public accounting degree that I decided that I may as well take the couple extra classes and just take the exam.

Now I’m having second thoughts on whether right now would be a good time for me to take the CPA exam. I know it might be better to take it now rather than wait, but I feel burnt out on school/studying, that I don’t know if I would be in the right mindset or put forth my full effort and time into studying.

I’d rather just start working and when I really want to take the CPA. I was just wondering what you guys thought? What would be the consequences of having a Public Accounting degree, but not actually having the CPA certification?

[Anonymous]

Hey there rebekahd543!

IMHO there are two ways to look at it:

1) With the CPA exam experience behind me I am the first to tell people you need to be all in before you attempt to pursue the CPA exam. It's not easy. You will be pushed out of your comfort zone mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically all in pursuit of the CPA designation. It is not for the faint of heart or indecisive, point blank period.

2) I don't think I am alone when I say one of the main reasons I decided the CPA designation was worth having was because of the plethora of career opportunities it presents to those who have it. I like the fact that I can be a professional in the business world and not be 100% obligated to work for somebody else if I so choose. That's priceless.

I am very glad I went for it.

[Anonymous]

Hey there rebekahd543!

IMHO there are two ways to look at it:

1) With the CPA exam experience behind me I am the first to tell people you need to be all in before you attempt to pursue the CPA exam. It's not easy. You will be pushed out of your comfort zone mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically all in pursuit of the CPA designation. It is not for the faint of heart or indecisive, point blank period.

2) I don't think I am alone when I say one of the main reasons I decided the CPA designation was worth having was because of the plethora of career opportunities it presents to those who have it. I like the fact that I can be a professional in the business world and not be 100% obligated to work for somebody else if I so choose. That's priceless.

I am very glad I went for it.

[Anonymous]

Why get an Accounting degree and not sit for the CPA exam? It'd be a terrible decision on your part.

[Anonymous]

Why get an Accounting degree and not sit for the CPA exam? It'd be a terrible decision on your part.

[rebekahd543]

I never said I wasn't going to sit for the CPA exam, I just don't know if it would be best for me right now. If I don't right now I would in the future when I was more in the mindset to study/take the exams. So I was just asking for some advice.

[rebekahd543]

I never said I wasn't going to sit for the CPA exam, I just don't know if it would be best for me right now. If I don't right now I would in the future when I was more in the mindset to study/take the exams. So I was just asking for some advice.

[Anonymous]

To your timing question, I'd say take it sooner than later…Life happens and you don't want to look up one day and 5,7,10 years have passed by and you still haven't attempted to take it.

There are lots of people on this forum that will tell you they wish they would've taken it earlier.

[Anonymous]

To your timing question, I'd say take it sooner than later…Life happens and you don't want to look up one day and 5,7,10 years have passed by and you still haven't attempted to take it.

There are lots of people on this forum that will tell you they wish they would've taken it earlier.

[Anonymous]

Pros and cons:

If you start to prepare for the CPA tests and take AUD & FAR especially FIRST, your advantage is having the freshest knowledge of all compared to those others (like me) who have been out of college 24 years ago or so. You don't really have to study the materials, you just have to review.

One of the cons of not working right after college is you might miss the best opportunities laid out there for fresh graduates whom many of the employers are aiming to hire despite the lack of professional experience.

[Anonymous]

Pros and cons:

If you start to prepare for the CPA tests and take AUD & FAR especially FIRST, your advantage is having the freshest knowledge of all compared to those others (like me) who have been out of college 24 years ago or so. You don't really have to study the materials, you just have to review.

One of the cons of not working right after college is you might miss the best opportunities laid out there for fresh graduates whom many of the employers are aiming to hire despite the lack of professional experience.

[mla1169]

Never heard of a public accounting degree, what school offers that?

Periodically the states requirements to become licensed become tougher. Many candidates learn of upcoming changes and aren't able to beat the deadline requiring them to have more education or more experience than they would have needed if they took the exam sooner.

Also as life goes on and job responsibility increases, family and personal obligations increase, it becomes tougher to tackle this.

If you're not ready you're not ready, but there are definate benefits to getting it done sooner than later.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Never heard of a public accounting degree, what school offers that?

Periodically the states requirements to become licensed become tougher. Many candidates learn of upcoming changes and aren't able to beat the deadline requiring them to have more education or more experience than they would have needed if they took the exam sooner.

Also as life goes on and job responsibility increases, family and personal obligations increase, it becomes tougher to tackle this.

If you're not ready you're not ready, but there are definate benefits to getting it done sooner than later.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I initially wasn't sure if I wanted to take the exam back when I graduated in May 2013, but I took the plunge and I think it's for the best. I can't tell you how many times I see job listings with “CPA or working toward CPA” as a requirement.

[Anonymous]

I initially wasn't sure if I wanted to take the exam back when I graduated in May 2013, but I took the plunge and I think it's for the best. I can't tell you how many times I see job listings with “CPA or working toward CPA” as a requirement.

[Anonymous]

Don't wait. If you think you're burnt out now, wait until you start working, have a family, etc. Do it while you have the time to study and can get it done quickly. Waiting will only put more obstacles in your way and it could take you longer to pass.

[Author]

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