[cantadulce]

I went back to school in 2010 so I could ultimately get a CPA license. I was all in, working, going to school and wanting to prepare for the exam before I was barely in my upper division classes. I even bought the full NINJA package during a Black Friday promotion just so I could get started, a year before I was scheduled to take the Business Law class that would qualify me to sit for the exam.

I applied to be approved by my state’s licensing board to sit for the exam back in early 2016. I had big plans; completing all 4 parts by the time I graduated from my Masters degree, in 12-16 months.
After some personal setbacks including a hospitalization and surgery, and starting and stopping multiple times, I ended up not being able to study as suggested in the study planner. I took FAR within a few days of my NTS was expiring last year after only having studied for a handful of hours. I got my score and it was no surprise I got a 62. Also, I didn’t graduate. I felt like the biggest failure even though I knew some of what happened was outside of my control.

Since then I’ve moved to another city and am now working for a company that is going through a nightmare merger, a micromanaging boss, and hating life. I can’t get a better job, or higher compensation, without the CPA license. After a heart to heart with my sister tonight, she kicked my butt into gear and convinced me to just go do whatever I had to do to get those three letters after my name. It’s been long enough and I can’t let that failure define me.

I have audited my transcript and believe I have enough credits to get licensed even though I didn’t graduate with my Master’s degree. I just need the paperwork signed for the year of experience, and of course, the hardest part: to pass all four parts of the exam. It’s time to start over…again.

Which brings me to FAR: 25 hours of studying a week for 7 weeks and following the NINJA program without hesitation. I’ve already looked to see availability at my nearest Prometric locations and will be biting the bullet and paying for the exam tomorrow. I’ve told my husband this is important and I want to pass this so I’m going to need his help. I only want to do this once and hopefully by Labor Day, I’ll have the last of my scores and be that much closer to getting licensed. My sister is convinced that I already have a CPA license, it’s just waiting for me to take the exams since she believes wholeheartedly that I will pass them with flying colors. I’m not so sure, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got regardless.

Have any of you had major setbacks that made you doubt yourself? How have you gotten past it?

[Jimmy Dugan]

Get a passing score up on the board. That will give you confidence to move forward.

[Tncincy]

@cantadulce Life is hard, circumstances change, so do beat yourself up about that. It's good to have a support system that believes in you and help motivate you to try again. Many of us have been where you are now, with the same questions, and the same fears. But we will never know if we don't try. I have tried so many times, studied to cancel at the last minute, changed study materials, gave up but couldn't leave it, and of course failed a more times than I want to admit. So just jump right in, study study,study. Get that first passing score and you'll be on your way. The license is the goal so do it until you get it, even if you fail again. Keep trying is my opinion. Good luck and keep those fingers crossed for the rest of us. 🙂

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

[Author]

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