[TBBG]

I’m not trying to troll here, I’m asking honestly. Is the CPA really worth it? I’ve only worked in public advisory, and I only got the CPA to make manager. Outside of audit/tax partner, does the CPA really help your career? And if so, can it really be quantified? I just don’t see it.

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[Anonymous]

Does being a CPA guarantee you will be successful….nope.
Can you be successful without a CPA license…..yep.

Your CPA license is what you make it. Sure, a lot of people can have successful careers without it, and some get it and it does nothing for them. We all have individual circumstances. Asking a blanket statement like “is it worth it?” is impossible to answer….

Is it worth it to YOU? That's the question to ask. Who cares if it's worth it on average. That is irrelevant.

[TBBG]

@Dewdewyah Very well said. I guess I'm asking more in general, and was hoping for specific examples about how it has truly impacted one's career (outside of making manager and up in public accounting).

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

A lot of the value comes from perception. You are literally at the top of your chosen profession, and many employers see the designation as a sign of the potential value you could bring the organization. If you so chose you could start a firm, buy a firm, represent clients in front of the irs, consult with business owners of any size. The designation is not what creates the opportunity, its the key that opens the door to opportunities

[hasy]

Real talk, I saw this FB video the other day about this guy who goes to street fairs and sells fried pickles. Looks pretty bomb and he's making good money. His only line during the interview, “Yeah, I became a CPA and that wasn't my thing, so I'm frying pickles.”

Yes, it's not for everyone, even if they went through this horrible process. >.<

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[TBBG]

@Wanna_B_TXCP, very good points. I guess I just haven't witnessed any real success stories with a CPA. It seems like most CFO/CFA/CAA/COO roles don't have the CPA, so I'm curious to hear how much a CPA can truly effect your net worth.

@hasy, HAHAHAH! he sounds like a bosssss.

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[reallytired]

If it helps you at all, when my dad was hiring a new Controller for his company, he separated the resumes of CPAs from the non-CPAs and threw the non-CPAs resumes away. It's clearly not the case for all employers, but it certainly gives you a step up.

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[TBBG]

@reallytired, that is certainly good news, but controller is synonymous with CPA. It probably sounds like nitpicking at this point, but is audit partner and controller the only “success stories” we have? I apologize if I sound like a downer.

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[Skynet]

Studying for the CPA exams, aged me 10 years and gave me grey hair.

Chicks Dig the Grey look though, so yeah, I say it was worth it : )

[TBBG]

@skynet, finally! The success story we've all been waiting for!!

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[Skynet]

@tbbg – I also get cool discounts with AARP too!

[reallytired]

Yes I see what you mean, but being a CPA means you can be a controller, who makes a nice six figure salary and works about 40 hours max a week (with the rare longer weeks scattered throughout the year). And people tend to have a lot of respect for a CPA.

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[TBBG]

Maybe I'm alone in this but when people ask what I do, I don't say I'm a CPA. In fact, I avoid it altogether.

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[Anonymous]

What sort of story would you consider a success story? It sounds like private accounting management (aka Controller) doesn't sound like success to you, and public accounting management (Audit or Tax manager) doesn't sound like success to you, so not sure what form of success you're asking about from the CPA. 😐

Myself, I became a Controller at a young age (23 when I interviewed, 24 when I started work), and I believe the opportunity wouldn't have presented itself if I wasn't a CPA. Granted, it's still not a “typical” story and YMMV and all, but I think the CPA was a necessary ingredient, and would consider myself a success story. Also, it is a small company – college with around 1,000 students – but despite all the “Granted…” qualifiers, it's still pretty darn good for a 24-year-old (though now a couple years older 😉 ).

More generally, a lot of the jobs beyond the Senior Accountant level require the CPA designation, and even some Staff/Senior at least state it as a preference. If you want to be a CFO, it'll probably be easier with CPA than without. But, doesn't mean it's absolutely necessary; my predecessor in my Controller job wasn't a CPA, and neither is my CFO boss. But, I'm pretty sure that had I applied with just a Bachelor's, they wouldn't have given me a second look; CPA shows I've put in some extra effort.

[TBBG]

@Lilla, I mentioned that Controller and Audit Partner are of course success stories, but they are few and far between.

Audit 86
BEC 75
FAR 82
REG 93

[CPA2BEE]

I wouldn't say Controller and Partner are “few and far between”. They are great accomplishments and awesome positions to have, but not as far-fetched as you might think. Put 8-10 years in public, get your CPA license, and partner is almost a shoe-in at many firms. If the promotion to partner isn't available at your firm, it might be at another firm or many people go off to start their own practice once they get to that level. I can't speak as to what it takes to become Controller, but I have worked with many Controllers in tax/accounting consulting for our clients and I've seen a wide range of “Controllers” – some make you wonder how someone who knows so little could end up in that position, some stump you because they really know their sh*t, and many in between. Again, not impossible to become a Controller.

Its not just partner or controller either, there are many avenues to success that can be achieved with a CPA license. It is up to the individual to decide what they do with it.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[Author]

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