[Anonymous]

I’ll be 37 next month. Bachelors in Accounting 3.6 gpa 6 years ago. Only related job was a state tax examiner position that I left to move with wife to her new very lucrative job. Haven’t been able to get anything good since. Got an enrolled agent license that expired since I got no work with it. For a few years my wife had cancer treatment. I took a delivery driver job to pay the bills and now feel pigeonholed with it. Only intwrview offers I get are for other driver jobs. Seems like no matter where I go I’m told I’m so good and reliable at what I do that they can’t tranfer or promote me at the moment.

I’m divorced now and need 30 more credits to take the cpa exams. I’ve been reviewing material for all 4 exams and it’s all very fresh in my mind still.

I’m wondering if it’s worth the time and money to get the credits and do the exams. Seems like people see “driver” on my resume and think “dumb apathetic loser, not a good fit”. I had this problem trying to get internships. I was in retail and companies kept saying I didn’t have transferable skills compared to other applicants. The best I could do was say I’ve worked with receiving and invoices and it enabled me to better understand the auditing process from that perspective and the importance of internal controls…..

There’s got to be something better than driving a truck. I’m smart and educated. Anybody have suggestions?

[RE2PECT]

If there's one thing I've learned from reading other people's stories on here, it's that anything can be done. I graduated in 2004 with a finance degree. Couldn't get a great job I liked so I did a complete 180 and got into the union as a bricklayer. Even though I made good money I couldn't see myself doing it as I got older since it's so hard on your body. Not to mention that it's a seasonal trade and it gets slow in the winter. Last year I decided to leave the union and go back to school to try and get my CPA. I was able to get a job with my union in their funds office and finished all my necessary credits to become licensed.

It's going to be difficult for me starting out as well since I have no experience in public accounting and a good part of my resume shows that I was in construction for 7 years. I'm hoping that having passed all 4 parts of the exam when I start applying will give me a leg up on other candidates. I considered applying right away after I finished school in December, but my current job is pretty laid back and it would give me more time to study for the exams. Plus my wife is having a baby any day and it's easier for me to still be working here instead of just starting at a more demanding job.

All I can say is you're not alone in this and that you just have to keep motivated and tell yourself this is what you want to do and keep working hard at it. I was never the most motivated person in college and didn't really know what I wanted to do when I graduated. I don't want to say I wasted 10 years of my life because every decision I've made has brought me to this point. I've made great friends and found an amazing wife along the way that I probably wouldn't have had I done something else. The only thing is that I've put myself in a tougher position than most typical candidates coming out of school and I'm willing to start from scratch and work my way up. Sorry if I'm rambling, but just trying to give another perspective on our similar situations. We both have a tough road ahead, but we just have to stay positive and know there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[wombataholic]

You're not too old to start working toward the exam and you need to be persistant when applying for accounting jobs, all it takes is one manager to say yes. Maybe consider volunteering for VITA to pad your resume and show that you're serious about getting back into accounting.

If all you need is 30 credits to get eligible to sit, look into CLEP exams to speed the process along.

I'm 36 and just finished the exam. My bachelor's was in a completely unrelated field 14 years ago. A few years ago, I came to the conclusion that my career at the time meant I would never see my kids when they started going to school, so I started taking accounting and business classes to get the credits to sit for the exam. I applied for just about every accounting-related opening I saw, and eventually someone said yes.

Good luck to you!

Licensed CPA
Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

[nyclife]

The exams are more about dedication and discipline. The hardest part is trying to break into any field, especially if you're not in school anymore. I'd say join your local CPA society and attend their networking events. If you have the savings, I would take any accounting role including a low paid bookkeeping position and go from there. Check Craiglist and the typical job boards. When you do pass the CPA or parts of it, I would not list it because some employers will feel that you are overqualified and will leave; depends on the situation though. But obviously once you're in, it is a lot easier to keep progressing. Keep your head up high and continue to look. Your quest only ends when you throw in the towel.

[Anonymous]

I graduated in 2001 with an economics degree. Working in banking then in mortgage banking until 2008 when the meltdown forced me to move to a different career. In this order: Got an entry level job at a small accounting firm, got married, went back to college for almost 2 years to get 30 more credit hours in accounting. As I was finishing more school, I had my first child and became eligible to sit for the CPA exam. I put it off as work and home life was insane. Had a second child in 2011. Work and life got so crazy I developed anxiety and was just trying not to drown. Finally tightened bootstraps in 2013 and started sitting for the exam. Now at this point, it is as crazy as one could possibly imagine. Last year on top of crazy hours at the firm, the family's general needs, I moved twice and still managed to pass my final two exams. I am turning 39 this year, so yes it can be done. I don't regret a single thing and I am glad its all over.

[Gabriella]

Of course you're not too old or too inexperienced.
If you think you are and you don't try obviously you will never get there. It's like if you don't ask the answer is always no.
You can do this.

[Tncincy]

Well if you think 37 is too old then there is no hope. Plenty of us are late forties to over 50 and will become cpas come hell or high water….lol. There is absolutely nothing wrong with re-inventing yourself. Do what you have to do to be happy and successful. But don't live with or create regrets. Now is a good time to jump in, get your study materials, get your nts, get your credits (in class or online) and prove to yourself that life is worth living because you had the strength to make it happen. And please don't take no for an answer.

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

[Stilgoin]

I will say I am > 40 and leave it at that. 😉 I started community college in 2010, and I just kept going. One thing I have found is that non-traditional students have so much more experience, and that is a huge advantage. The market may feel tough, but having a relevant education and life experience is hard to find for many employers. I say we are worth more than many new graduates- at least that’s what I tell myself when I would rather hurl than do another MCQ. Lol

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Jdn9201]

I've seen people in their 40s and 50s on here, so no you are not too old. It is going to be a lot of work though, so you first need to pin down how much you want to do this and why. That leads to motivation, which you will need to put in all the time necessary to get the credits and study for the exams. I agree that networking, volunteering, and interning will be good ways for you to gain connections and related experience. I know it's hard trying to break into a new career, but you have to be really good at selling yourself too. If you apply for an accounting job even thinking “they are going to reject me because all I am is a truck driver” then you will be doomed before you start. Everyone started from somewhere, and firms benefit from hiring older employees because they have life experience and are responsible. A firm doesn't have to worry about a 35 year old coming into the office hung over from partying (or shouldn't, lol). It sounds like you are willing to put in the work and start towards the bottom, so I think you should go for it. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[MaLoTu]

I think that once you are able to land an interview that the whole reason why you became a driver will make a lot more sense and be a lot less of an issue.

I was a car builder and then a school teacher. I went back to school when my youngest son was a baby and got a degree in psychology. I am in my early 30s and will be starting with a public accounting firm in September. I decided while I was teaching that I wanted to do something more analytical (because I loved research and statistics) and I wanted to have the growth that a job in accounting would provide. I had to go back to school and I ended up getting 2 masters degrees. However, my starting salary is almost enough to cover my entire school debt – so I think it was a good investment.

You have skills, even in your position as a driver. You need to connect the dots for the recruiters when it comes time to look for a job in accounting. My background made no sense, but I was able to glean skills I acquired and build a brand with characteristics I possess. I finally received 2 offers after looking for a position in public for almost a year.

I don't know if that helps you in your decision, but I wanted to let you know that it is definitely possible and it isn't too late.

[GHardesty]

I absolutely do not think that 37 is too old. Absolutely not. Anybody can compare…but it doesn't help. I really like how you said that you are smart and educated. That tells me that you are confident in yourself and that you realize that driving a truck is not utilizing your skills. There is nothing wrong with driving a truck…it's paying your bills and that's fine. But it's not forever for you.

Another thing I'd like to add is that you might be eligible to sit for the exams before finishing 30 units. If you have an accounting degree, many states will have different requirements to sit than to get licensed. If you can pass the exams…it will display to employers that you are competent. At that point it doesn't matter if you have a lot of accounting experience. You can get a job as an accountant. You can probably find one now…keep trying.

Lastly…once you decide make sure you are fully committed. Right now you are CPA (Maybe), but the CPA exams are not something you can dabble with. So you've got to really dedicate yourself.

Good luck. Make it happen.

AUD 80 05/31/16 (1x)
BEC 80 01/16/16 (3x)
FAR 78 11/23/15 (2x)
REG 87 02/29/16 (2x)

[GHardesty]

I've got to add to my original post that your story is inspiring. Even as I sit at my desk reading this I really want you to succeed. Your mental place is that you seem frustrated and a little bit discouraged…from my perspective I see something totally different. Work very hard to make it happen.

AUD 80 05/31/16 (1x)
BEC 80 01/16/16 (3x)
FAR 78 11/23/15 (2x)
REG 87 02/29/16 (2x)

[Missy]

Heres a great thread discussing us old folks and getting the CPA

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/is-cpa-worth-it-in-late-40s

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

[Track55]

I'm older than you are! Once you pass one part put it on your resume. It will come up in interviews.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[536FrenchmenStreet]

Yeah, there's a whole pack of us geezers. (Look for the walkers and Geritol empties.) You can do it. Go for it!

BEC: Fall 2016
AUD: Spring 2016
REG: Summer 2016
FAR: RETAKE

[fivehurdles]

51 – Don't be like me. Get it done when you're young. In your thirties.

2011 Results:
BEC 65 83
AUD 57
FAR 30 (Can you get any worse) (11/10)
REG 70

2015-16 Results:
BEC 78
AUD 77
REG 76
FAR June 10

[Author]

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