[livealittle]

I am a “late bloomer” I guess you could say.

I went to college straight out of high school, had some life events happen, dropped out of college, went back to school at age 31, graduated with Associate’s degree at 32, graduated with Bachelor’s degree at age 34. Got a job at a CPA firm a few months before I graduated, moved to industry at age 36, moved back to CPA firm at age 43. Started sitting for my CPA at age 45.

anyone else in a similar situation?

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Missy]

I believe this thread about older candidates belonngs in the Another 71 hall of fame, but answers your question…..

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

[RyonT]

I'm 35. Graduated in 2000 and took a semester off. Failed out in about 2 semesters and took a couple years off. I went back in 04 to get an AA degree. It eventually got me a job in a small CPA firm. I finished up a 4 yr degree and got the extra credits to sit while I was working and gaining experience. It just never paid enough to actually buy materials. My girlfriend accepted a job near her home town, so we ended up relocating. I took a controller position at a mid sized company. The pay is better and I don't have a busy season, which is why I'm finally trying to get this thing out of the way. I'm currently waiting on my first score, and I'm nervous as hell. Its definitely nice to see so many “older” candidates on here. I don't feel so alone.

[A]

@Pokey, I think you are dead-on. I had a job offer in public (boutique firm specializing in servicing Private equity) before I graduated, I went back for another degree to make a career change at 42. Older candidates may need to be a little more selective about the firms they target, but the things you mentioned (emotional maturity, professionalism, general grown-up-ness) were always talking points when I interviewed. The initiative shown by continuing to educate (either through school
or pursuing the CPA) has been a desired characteristic in new hires at the firms and companies where I have worked as an accountant.

I knew Big 4 was an unrealistic goal, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of opportunities I have had after making the leap to accounting and finance.

B - 77 (2.27.16)
A - 81 (4.18.16)
R -
F -

Roger Review + Ninja MCQs

[mtaylo24]

I'm 31, not quite knocking on the door of retirement, but since most candidates are in their early and mid 20's, I guess I qualify for this thread. I went to a party school 03-07 and graduated w/ a major in some bs. After temping for a year because of my mediocre GPA, my major, and the economy, I decided I needed a more focused route and made the mistake of pursuing Accounting (kind of just kidding, maybe) getting my post-bacc certificate (09-11). Sat for auditing 3 times from in Dec 12 – Aug 13, then started back up and finally passed Auditing in Nov 15, now over 4 years later I am only halfway done. I wouldn't call Accounting a mistake because I've learned a lot and worked with some great people, and it has definitely improved my jobs prospects once my experience started to accumulate, but the exam process has been a major pain.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[ultrarunner]

Kodiak, wow. You inspire me! I hope to join you soon. Thank you for sharing.

Allegra, good luck with your new job. Controller is quite an achievement in your age. I know some experienced accountants who never moved beyond manager position due to their lack of credential. Also, many manager positions in private industry require CPA. I think CPA definitely is worth it. Congratulations!

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Mary]

36 here!! There are more of us than I thought 🙂

[Small4]

31 going on 32…married with a toddler…..spent 5 yrs in big 4 working a ton, didnt pass CPA for the longest, left for a 9-5ish job, studied for the CPA, passed it FINALLY after 10 yrs give or take of trying (i say 4 truly studying years, the 6 were just lying to myself/excuses)….now at a “dead-end” point at a pretty good solid gig but the CPA letters i hope will open doors….

Its nice to truly read some of your stories here…sometimes im guilty of thinking “its too late”, but in realize, its really truly never too late as long as you pursue it.

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[NeedsA75]

I'm 30…guess I qualify

[Namstut]

I am turning 45 in a couple of months and I was hoping to give myself the best birthday gift ever! We will see how FAR feels about it. 🙂

My family came to States in the 90's. I started with Associates in accounting because I could barely speak English and I was afraid to do anything bigger. I was in my mid 20's when I earned my Bachelors in Accounting & IS and decided to get my Masters in Accounting & Finance when I was in my mid 30's. Now at 45 I am finally doing something that I put on my 10-year plan almost 25 years ago. Better late than never!

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[GiniC]

I'm among the oldest to post so far – but trying to keep my youthful image to avoid career damage. So no, you're not alone being an “older” candidate!

[Stilgoin]

I am 44. I started taking classes at a community college at 38 in 2010 and graduated with an MBA in 2015. Age is just a number. I agree with everyone else- being a non-traditional student was great for me because I was a better student- more dedicated and much more persistent- plus I had experience. I started out with the attitude that I was going to do everything I would have done if I had experienced college after high-school. I can't help but wonder how I would have performed on these exams in my 20s, but I don't let myself get caught up in expectations. I feel lucky to have the opportunities now that I missed early in my life.

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."

[livealittle]

@ultrarunner – how did I get back to public?

I got downsized at one of the 3 part-time to total full time jobs I had. I play hockey in a rec league and in a couple of private pickups. the coordinator of one of the pickups finally convinced his wife to try it. He asked me to help her get dressed in the gear and loan her some stuff. I was talking in the locker room about being downsized that week and she asked me what I did. I told her and she said to send her my resume. I sent it to her husband, who forwarded it to her. Now she's my manager.

I'll be 47 on March 5.

Happy birthday @pokey.

good to know there are more of us than I initially thought. All the young-un's at my work are fresh out of school, like they either graduate in the spring or have just graduated and are sitting now. 1 passed a couple of months ago but doesn't have her experience yet, so she can't use CPA in her title.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Goingallin]

40 with an infant when I started my journey last August. When I graduated college with an accounting degree, I didn't know debit and credit. Not sure how I managed to pass college as I was a slacker. I got lucky and thrive in my career, however after having my daughter, I felt I needed to make up for the lack of discipline in college so I could set an honest example for her. Plus I realized the job market can be very discriminating against older people. Although my career has been stable, A CPA will help during an economic recession. I guess you could say I am being proactive.

NOt sure about yall but my memory has drastically improved since I started studying. Brain exercise from years of repetitive job duties. I was really frustrated at the beginning of this journey bc I would forget the material within mins after reading. My score has improved consistently. Fair to say my mind has adapted.

[Track55]

Passed exam at 40. In So Cal no one wants u after 30 so I had to go Industry.

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

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[taskr]

@goingallin – I agree about improved memory and the like. All the studying and requirement to grasp the concepts necessary to pass the exams lit up some long dormant areas in my brain.

[Author]

Replies