[wawr47aa87]

I’m genuinely curious to hear from others for no particular reason. Basically if you’d like to share:

– Age when you took/are taking the exam

– What role or occupation you were in at the time

– If you’ve already passed, how has the exam changed your career since?

– Anything else you’d like to share =)

I’ll start. I’m 23 right now. Graduated from a state school last december, starting at Big 4 tax next week! Currently taking the exam, only got 1 left. So close, yet so FAR (get it? haha). Yeah i know it was lame, let me live for a moment. I must say, the last 4 months of my life have been pretty miserable, hence why I’m on here being super bored and writing this post.

BEC 76 (2/15)
REG 81 (4/15)
AUD 78 (5/15)
FAR 81 (7/15)

Roger + Ninja MCQ

[CPAfit]

27 right now. International student, graduated from an international university in 2011. Took the first two exams in May-2013 (week apart). Passed one and failed one. Have lost BEC and earned it back once, then lost AUD due to REG and working on passing both by the end of this year. Working in private accounting (automotive industry) currently and have no plans of moving into public yet.

[Anonymous]

– Age when you took/are taking the exam

Took the exam when I was 22, last exam was a week before my 23rd birthday

– What role or occupation you were in at the time

I was working in industry at a international company, approx. 14,000 employees. Title was “Accounting Clerk”, worked in A/R, but boss believed in letting people do as much as possible especially when the pay stayed the same, so I did a variety of things besides just typical “clerk” duties. Even prepared some reports that went to the Board.

– If you've already passed, how has the exam changed your career since?

About a year after passing, I was offered a job as a Controller at a small liberal arts college. I think that being a CPA played a definite role in being offered that position. Now I'm 7 days out from fiscal year-end close, which will be my first one here, and we're on an accelerated close schedule due to regulatory requirements. Add to that the fact that our Assistant Controller just started about a month ago so is still even greener than me, and I'm slightly tempted to pull my hair out. However, the truth of the matter is that my job is a perfect fit for me and I love it. I don't think I would have gotten this position without being a CPA, so I'm very glad I got the CPA to enable me to get this job.

– Anything else you'd like to share

Hard work, creative thinking, and learning something new every day will take you wherever you want to go. If you're a Clerk now and feel like it's a dead-end job, make it a point to learn something new constantly at your job. You never know what nugget that you pick up there will be the piece of knowledge that earns you your next job.

[Anonymous]

I was 37 when I started the process and 38 when I finished it. I was in between jobs at the time but was working full time for 3 out of the 4 exams (wasn't working while FARing which I think is a big reason I passed).

I've been working in the Government for the past year. The biggest change to my career has been adding “CPA” after my name for my outgoing email.

Maybe it's because I'm a bit older but I didn't rush the exam. I took one exam per test window and went in feeling as confident and as ready as possible. This worked for me to pass all 4 on the first try. I see so many people trying to cram 2 exams in a test window and I just think to myself “Slow down. If you fail one or both of those exams, it's going to take you just as long as it did for me.” Sure a lot of people can do it but I'm not one and I hate seeing so many people with failing scores that could have been prevented by proper study and review.

[Missy]

At 33 years old I was a single mother with a high school education. Started an associates of accounting, 2 years later transferred into a BS Accounting program. Finished undergrad when I was 38. Took a year off then started grad school. Halfway through my grad program I had this crazy idea that I could just buzz through the CPAs and get my license and my degree at approx the same time. Graduated grad school january 2012,was licensed March of 2012 at age 41.

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

[rugger246]

Age when you took/are taking the exam?: First took the exams right out of college at age 22, when they were all paper-based and only offered two times per year. I ended up conditioning two sections, but life happened…and never ended up finishing. Fast-forward 12 years later and decided to finish what I started.

What role or occupation you were in at the time?: First time worked in public accounting. Second time worked in forensic accounting.

If you've already passed, how has the exam changed your career since? I would not say it has helped my career…but it added a value of personal confidence and further strengthened my credibility with the peers I work with.

I truly believe that if you are going to major in accounting and earn 150 credit hours…you need to pursue the gold standard certification within our profession!!! It will set you apart from others who practice in your trade!!!

AUD - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed (Perfect Score of 75 to finish it off)
REG - Passed

[rp 12]

1) Age when you took/are taking the exam

Started my exam process in Sept. 2014. My age is 27.

2) What role or occupation you were in at the time

Started working for Big4 firm right after graduating from college. Was let go, and then picked up a seasonal auditor gig with another big4 for until October 2014. Was inbetween jobs for 8 months. In May 2015 I started as an Internal Auditor for a Fortune 50 company.

3) If you've already passed, how has the exam changed your career since?

I haven't passed my exam yet. But, I can for sure attest to it that having a big4 stamp/brand in my resume has helped me tremendously. Got to learn a lot from the people I had worked with, and getting interviews w/ top F500 companies. Upon passing this exam am really hopefull that this certification will open doors for other opportunities.

4) Anything else you'd like to share

Since the summer of 2012 I have started my journey towards passing this exam, but due to some job challenges/obstacles, and crazy year end schedule (off year end as well) it was difficult to study and pass it. After my first ever pass in this exam. I learned that it is going to be a grinding process. Have to be disciplined, dedicated, and stay motivated despite how many attempts it takes to pass this monterous exam.

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[ShmeePA]

1. Started the exam May 2014 (Age 24), finished May 2015 (Age 25)

2. From May 2014-September 2014, I was a staff accountant for a medical staffing company. From September 2014-Present I work for a top 8 accounting firm as an audit associate.

3. Since passing, I have had much more time to focus on myself and my relationships. I have began picking up golf, which I do regularly now and have time to vacation with my girlfriend and friends. Work wise, not much other than the sweet CPA bonus that will be coming!

4. My advice would be to take it all one day at a time. If you get ahead of yourself you are setting yourself up to take steps backwards.

BEC-84
FAR-86
AUD-87
REG-79

[tcheney3]

1) Age when you took/are taking the exam

Started my exam process in Sept. 2014 and turned 25 in October.

2) What role or occupation you were in at the time

Worked for a small CPA firm, now work for a regional firm as a tax associate.

3) If you've already passed, how has the exam changed your career since?

I have passed 3 out of the 4 parts. The license will allow me to be more flexible in my career. Long-term I would like to go the CFO route or open up my own firm.

4) Anything else you'd like to share

The CPA Exam is about commitment and priorities. I truly believe that anyone can pass it with the appropriate amount of study time. To be honest, in a way I'll kind of miss the studying. You always feel like you're getting something accomplished during the process. When I finish I'll have to find something else to occupy my time after work.

BEC - 82
REG - 86
FAR - 85
AUD - 84 and I'm out!!!!!
Ethics - 95
In Skynet's Honor:
Act I: Shutdown Skynet and prevent Judgment Day.
Act II: Add a comma and three letters to my title.
Act III: Time Travel and marry a young Denise Richards (and prevent subsequent plastic surgery),return to present.
Act IV: Serve as Successor to Elon Musk as CEO of Tesla.
Act V: Ensure Judgment Day has been stopped. Utopia achieved.

[taxgeek83]

1) Age – Started at 30, finished at 31, licensed at 32.

2) Position – State government

3) Changes – Hired at a small CPA firm (license was required to get that gig). That and it feels kind of awesome in a nerdy way to tell people I'm a CPA…haha

4) Anything else – I'm bored now and I think I'm going to try for my MST this fall. Single, no kids – need something to keep me busy besides work and laying out at the lake! 😉

[jbarwick]

-Age when you took/are taking the exam?

Currently sitting, 29

-What role or occupation you were in at the time?

Manager of Strategic Analytics, Health care company. Prior experience as a Senior Financial Analyst

-If you've already passed, how has the exam changed your career since?

I don't think it will change too much in the short term

-Anything else you'd like to share?

Boss told me I should get a certification during my 2014 annual review. CPA it is! Decided against CFA or CTP. I have a BS in Accounting and a MBA with a Finance and Strategic Management concentration.

-Advice?

You will mess up. Admitting to a mistake is tough and sucks the first time, just don't let the same thing happen again.

Journey Started - January 2015
FAR - 4/2015 - Passed
AUD - 7/2015 - Passed
BEC - 8/2015 - Passed
REG - 11/12/2015 - Passed

[Claudia408]

Started at 36, and still trying.., 2 fails and no passes!

Currently, working at a software company analyzing Enterprise License contracts. Had been working as a fund accountant in financial services for 10 years before.

I want to be a CPA bc: 1) I want to challenge myself. Working in financial services for 10 years, everyone around me has one except for me. 2) I'm in a dead end job living in the most expensive part of the US (San Francisco), so I need this for my own livelihood.

Only advice is keep trying, don't give up!…. and I'm going to try to live up to that!

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Anonymous]

Hey-

I started with my CPA Exams at 35 years old in May 2015.

I am an A/P Specialist at the moment for a small private company.

I have not passed yet but I know being a CPA will change my career life. Which is the reason why I am pursuing it.

I love to learn, I am all about seeking knowledge, I love challenging myself. I have a B.A In Political Science, and Master's in Management from New England College. I also have my Master's in Accounting w/a concentration in Controllership from Strayer University. I didn't know I needed to pursue my CPA earlier after graduating with my Master's in Accounting in 2010, there wasn't much awareness about the CPA at my school I was aware of. I would have started my journey much sooner. However, there is an African saying that goes like so “when it is the right time for something it is easier.” I am not sure how true that will be for the CPA exams Laugh.

BEC-Failed-5/28/15

REG-7/25/15

FAR-TBD

AUD-TBD

[will1181]

I'm 33, finished my MS in accounting in May 2013 and finally took a section of the CPA exam – AUD about 4 hours ago!

I work in healthcare where I manage a group of analysts but am getting the CPA to prepare me to transition my career into a more financially oriented role.

[Anonymous]

23

Graduated bachelor and master from a private university last May- I am an international student, UAE

Starting Big 4 late July

Currently taking the exam and got 3 left

I just wanna share the fact that preparing for the exam right after graduating and getting FAR and REG out of the way is the best thing I will have done when I start full time…

[will1181]

“I just wanna share the fact that preparing for the exam right after graduating and getting FAR and REG out of the way is the best thing I will have done when I start full time… “

I bet it is – I'm jealous of you guys that have the time to get it done with before working or at least before in a highly demanding and stressful job! That serves me right for majoring in Finance in undergrad lol

[Author]

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