[Anonymous]

Here’s some background: I started studying in October of 2012 for the CPA exam. Since then I’ve taken 3 exams and passed two sections. (Long story and several difficult factors have drug the process out.) Originally, I was only getting my license because I worked for a public firm that required it to move up. I left public accounting in May and I am now an accountant for a School District. In my interview, my boss mentioned he would like me to have my CPA, but no one here does (himself included). My Becker Expires on 11/1 and I lose my first section on 1/31/15. I’m under the wire to finish these last two sections and I’m just not seeing the benefit to my career anymore.

I *think* my old firm would certify my experience for me, but my current employer wouldn’t pay for me to maintain my CPE. So that is something I have considered as well.

Anyone have some thoughts on whether I should just throw in the towel or keep going?!

[Anonymous]

You've gone 2 for 3. You're halfway there. If you give up, you're going to regret it. Bust your ass and finish what you started.

[005]

If you quit now, you'll regret it forever.

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

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

[Anonymous]

@BeagleMom13 – I started studying when I was at KPMG in March 2011 and didn't pass an exam until May 2013. I also left public accounting after 5-6 years and have since worked in government. I understand that it's not required for your job, but I would just ask yourself why you did study and why you should continue studying. If you only did it because your firm required it then maybe stop. You didn't mention it, but how old are you? Your CPA will help get you get another job and go after top positions if you don't see yourself retiring with the school district.

If you want to truly be a CPA and it's personal to you, I say go for it! The CPA designation is a respected certification. Have you explained to your boss that your prior sections expire and you will have to spend a significant amount of money on new material, not to mention the time commitment of studying. Will the school district help pay for new materials? Or could you be put in the Fy15 budget/Fy16 for a nice $5,000 stipend once you pass? Try negotiating with him!

[youngd8]

the current job might not be beneficial for you to have CPA but if you decide to move elsewhere later on, that CPA lincense will definitely pay off.. Plus you're already 50% done. You should definitely finish it.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the h*ll with your employer, go for it! The CFO of the city I work for told me the CPA exam is over-rated. (P.S. he tried but could never pass).

[RachelP]

Go for it!! Like people said, you never know what doors it might open for you in the future!

"Don't worry, beeeeee happy!"

Unhappy with job, long distance boyfriend, not much studying:
FAR- 66 [08/28/12] AUD- 61 [10/04/12] REG- 59 [11/28/12] BEC- 63 [01/11/13]
Year off (from exams): Got new job, got married, moved, etc
✓ AUD- 79!!! 01/10/14 FIRST PASS!! WOOOO!!!
✓ REG- 73 02/27/14, 81 10/27/14
✓ FAR- 83 5/16/14
✓ BEC- 80 7/24/14
✓ Education ✓ Experience
Ethics Exam

[tomq04]

Focusing on what is available today, does nothing to help create availability for tomorrow.

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

[Anonymous]

@Beaglemom13- first off, I love the name- I have a beagle/basset and he is quite the hellion! 🙂

Finish it. Here are my thoughts:

1. If you change jobs, the CPA will certainly help you land a new one.

2. There are some pretty inexpensive ways to earn CPE- online, through the state society, etc. Don't let that stop you.

3. The CFO of my company describes as showing dedication to the profession- and I agree. Earning the designation says that you take all this accounting business pretty seriously.

4. I bet you are getting tired out- that's ok- know that at the end there can be, if you choose, a nice long rest.

5. We need more lady CPAs. Might sound sexist but it's true- women bring a different perspective to a job and the CPA designation provides you a certain gravitas that is very helpful.

6. Do it and then you know you can do anything (at least that's my theory!)

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

First, if you are really concerned with paying for your CPE, keep in mind that many states exempt you from CPE during the licensing period in which you pass your final part, so it might not be an issue until 2016. Check your state's requirements.

Second, some states don't require it to be your supervisor that verifies your experience, just any CPA that you worked with during that time. Some states don't even require the supervisor to be a CPA. Again, check with your state board.

Last, the other thing to keep in mind is that you can always switch your license to inactive. I'm pretty sure most state boards require significantly less CPE if you have an inactive license. Either way, I would check out Thomson Reuters at https://checkpointlearning.thomsonreuters.com/. It's not nearly as expensive as I thought it was to pay for your own.

Anyway, quitting just seems like a lot of wasted time and effort to me. You can do it!!

[shankysays]

If you hadn't passed any at all, or maybe had only passed one of the “easy” ones (BEC/AUD), I would say give up at least for now until it becomes a priority. But you're halfway! And you have FAR out of the way (at least I think – you have REG listed twice in your signature). I don't know about you, but I neverrrrrr want to take that section ever again. That would be motivation to do it, for me.

BEC - 72, 82! ✓
FAR - 80! ✓
AUD - 70, 92! ✓
REG - 74, 78! ✓

Licensed CPA 5/2015

[klink24]

One word…OPTIONS! Having that CPA gives you options that may not be there otherwise.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

I think you would regret throwing in the towel. I have been trying to get my CPA for 7 years now, but in all honesty, my current attempts are the only time I REALLY tried, in the past I let everything else get in the way. You are too close to quit now. Also, you most likely will not stay where you are forever, and having a CPA now is almost required for a lot of places, and not just in public. I work in Industry and we are looking for Sr. Accountants in Financial Accounting who have CPA or at least sitting. Its odd as a Manager that I am still working on mine, and most of the other managers just got theirs as well while working there. 7 years ago, it wasn't a requirement, but now that's what we want in candidates.

[Anonymous]

You have to do it.

[Skynet]

The the OP. The evil CPA on your right shoulder with the red horns and pitchfork will tell you to quit. The good CPA on your left shoulder with the Halo will tell you to press on. You have to listen to the Good CPA with the Halo and flick the evil CPA off your right shoulder.

[Guti]

This exam became harder after Dec 2010. When MC questions were 70% of the exam and a stupid memo was worth 10% , this exam was more manageable. Because the simulation are now 40% of the exam, the passing rate has dropped. I was 3 for 3 in 2007 and now I'm struggling to pass only FAR. If is true that the exam will be 50% simulations after 2017 then you will regret quitting now. The same way I regret not been able to finish in 2007.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Author]

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