[isabellekristie]

Hi Everyone!

Let me start off by explaining my story… I started studying for my CPA two years ago before I started working and due to some personal things that arose during that time I was not able to fully focus on the exams. I did however pass two of the exams (BEC and AUD). After my first year of working I really felt like this was not the right career path for me. I hated work (and still do). I stopped trying to study because I thought I was going to redirect my career (and lost credit for both exams—ugh). However, I find myself still at the same firm (coming up on 2 years). I still don’t like my audit job but I’m not sure what would be a good fit. I am going to look for other opportunities (hopefully outside of accounting) but in some ways I feel bad for never completing my CPA (even if I don’t continue on with accounting). My questions are as follows:

(1) Is it worth working towards completing the CPA just to have the credentials and in some ways validate my time in public accounting? Even if I pursue a career outside of accounting? I’m thinking either marketing or as a fall back finance.

(2) How do I get my confidence back? I am terrified to start studying again and give up my life and see no results (passing scores)?

(3) Should I hold off on studying and focus fully on job searching to get out before busy season?

(4) If you do think I should study again how many weeks while working full time do I need to allow for each section?

Sorry for all of the questions!! I just feel so lost right now and could use some advice. I really appreciate everyone’s input!

[KCCPA13]

I think you should figure out if you want a career in accounting. Why do you hate your job? Is it because of the company you're working for? Or perhaps you don't like auditing? Or is it really you just do not like accounting? There are a lot other types of jobs in accounting, such as working with tax or private accounting. If you plan on staying in accounting or anything related, it will be a definitely plus to have your CPA. But if you decide you want to pursue something totally unrelated to accounting, focus on that instead of the CPA. In my opinion, there's no reason to get a CPA just to have it if you do not plan to use it in the future. Even in the far future you come back to accounting, you can always get it then. I just don't see the reason to put yourself through the stress and the costs if you are not going to use your CPA license.

If you do decide to get your CPA, don't be so hard on yourself. Not everyone pass on their first try, and that's OK. If everyone can pass on their first try, I'm pretty sure the license will lose it's value. You don't pass the first time, you can try again. There are so many people who had to try multiple times. Don't let the exam defeat you! Remember that it's not the end of the world if you don't pass. I feel think if you really dedicate your time and efforts to the exams, anyone can pass.

I would start studying for the CPA while you job search. It took me about 2-3 months to prepare for FAR but that was because I barely had time to study on weekdays. Other sections took me 7-8 weeks, but again, I didn't study full time and had minimal time during weekdays to study. Took me multiple tries on most of them, but in the end, I still passed and if I can do it, you can too!

FAR ✓
AUD ✓
REG ✓
BEC ✓

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M DONE.

[isabellekristie]

Thank you for responding KCCPA13! I think the closest job to accounting I would like would be a finance analyst role. In this case do you think it is worth getting the CPA designation? If your answer is yes should I start with FAR and try to get it over with or start with an ‘easier' one to build confidence?

[Tncincy]

CPA is an awesome designationn to have…if you are going to use it. The work force is what it is, there is no guarantee of the love, hate or good,better, best relationship for your career. If you don't like it now, you might not like it later (the current position). With that said, I would be looking for another job. If you want to deal with the cost and study time associated with the cpa exam then go for it. There is no easy way but don't live with something you don't like. life on too short.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[PassFurtherWork]

Hello!

I can relate to your situations. I was in law school when I was hit with some big life changes, and I had to make the scary decision to quit law school. It is a terrifying thing – having to choose which direction to put your life in and giving up the work/time you've put in towards a certain path.

My motto? If you're not happy with what you're doing, don't do it! I actually used to be in tax – have you talked to your firm about trying tax out? It's a whole different beast than audit, and may fit you better if you have any interest at all in accounting. On the other hand, does your firm have positions outside of audit/tax/etc? My firm has a mutltide of positons for marketing, finance, admin, IT, business valuations, etc. If you don't have a firm that does that, why not look into other firms in your area that has these types of positons? Your experience in accounting could totally booster you over other candidates – and your knowledge in the field can enhance your work performance since you know what things are like from the inside.

As for the CPA exam, I may be the devil's advocate – but I wouldn't put yourself through it if you aren't happy now. You have to want all the responsibility and the path the CPA brings in public accounting {or switch to private}. Anyways, I can understnad your decisions. Follow your gut – it's usually right!

REG - 10/2
BEC - 11/30
FAR - Feb. 2016
AUD - April 2016

[SaveBandit]

If you want to transition into something sort of related (Finance), then a CPA would still likely be worthwhile. It would be just as good as an MBA, which you would probably need to go back and get if you didn't end up sitting for the CPA. If you want to do marketing, you are very likely going to have to go back and get a MBA – hopefully from a top 50 B-school – because it's going to be really tough to transition from accounting to marketing unless you have connections or get lucky. Marketing is hard to get into even if you do have an MBA because it's so over-saturated.

The fact that you haven't done anything to change anything leads me to believe that you don't hate it as much as you let on. TBH most people don't love their jobs. People who say they love their jobs are either really rich, really poor, lying, or demented.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[Missy]

For a finance analyst role having a cpa can be a great differentiator to get your foot in the door, and can definitely be a perk to such a,position. It would be noticed, and appreciated. But you don't seem convinced (yet) that is the role you want. For a marketing role it might be a conversation starter but you'll quickly find there is great misunderstanding outside of accounting and finance of what a CPA is (they all assume all you know is taxes lol)

However if it's just a personal goal to say you did it, always,worthwhile to do it for your own sense of accomplishment, even if it never benefits your career.

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

[Author]

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