[Cheeks]

I passed BEC with an 81 back in 4/15, and just recently decided to start back up with studying for the CPA. I have until October to pass FAR, REG, and AUD.

I take FAR this Thursday, and I’m trippin’ out. I’ve put an honest effort into studying (over the course of 7 weeks), but I’m all studied out. I’d like to pass obviously. But, even if/when I pass these exams…I’ll feel like a fraud and imposter. I don’t actually know anything about accounting and when my coworkers/bosses explain things to me…I need them to spell it out to me like I’m five.

Some of my bosses aren’t CPAs, but they are TONS smarter and more capable. Just goes to show that having a CPA doesn’t mean anything more than the fact that you paid money to pass 4 exams. Vent over.

[Credit Revenue]

Your post is in the wrong forum for agreement. You should just not take the CPA and go around the country and self assess who is qualified and who isn't and pass out certificates.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Trele6]

I agree with the OP based on my professional experience over 13 years. I've met many managers who were the brightest and smartest at my company and did not have CPA's, and I've met plenty of people with CPA's that I am surprised can tie their shoe laces.

Of course this doesn't apply to all or most of the CPA's I meet. Many are smart and intelligent people, but I wouldn't say there is a direct correlation between a CPA and intelligence. Just cause people can read a book and memorize something doesn't make you intelligent.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Credit Revenue]

I agree with that too, but for a person who has passed one section of the exam or even two for that matter…
If I were to hire an accountant I would hire a CPA over a person who doesn't have it. There are for sure many bright accountants without the CPA designation, but to totally discount the designation and place your own opinions on what makes a good accountant when you haven't passed the exams yourself…makes you sound like someone not worth listening to. One thing is for sure and that is the CPA designation is worth more than an unqualified opinion.

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Anonymous]

Thats funny people posting crap like this when they have no desire to work in public accounting or do not work in it..

YOU DO REALIZE THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE CPA IS FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTING… Hence the certified public accountant?????

You really dont need the cert to work in industry as most everything you will learn will be job specefic..The CPA is for people who want there own firms or to be a partner somewhere..and the OP youre making excuses do to laziness of not wanting to put forth the effort to study..

I agree there are numerous people who passed the CPA who are far from qualified to work for clients or advise on services..many of them are teachers and numerous ones are on here..But go speak to any partner with 20 years experience and I think theyll laugh you out of the building if you tell them its a worthless designation.

[Missy]

Certifications without relevant experience won't get you far. But combined with accounting experience its definitely more meaningful especially in senior and management level positions.

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

[jm962011]

I would just say that the CPA exam is not a test of intelligence, it is a test of endurance.

Also, MANY industry accounting jobs above staff or senior level (manager, controller, director, vice president of finance, CFO, etc.) want to see the CPA designation. Big publicly traded companies, or issuers (not public accounting firms because some people here don't quite grasp the concept that industry can be “public” or “private”…) also prefer big 4 experience but if you've got regional experience and a CPA, you might get an interview. If you've got similar industry experience and your CPA, again, you might get an interview over Joe Schmo who just has similar industry experience and no license.

[sar_rah]

While no, having a CPA certification doesn't guarantee you to be a genius or even be knowledgable, the CPA is to protect the integrity of our profession. Between 2 people, why hire someone who was too lazy to put in the time to get the certification for their chosen profession VS the person who worked their tush off to study and get all exams done?

Can smarter people be non-CPAs? Of course. But they should've gone the extra mile and shown that they wanted it more.

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[Andyred04]

amohr23cubs, I’ve wanted to say this ever since I started reading this forum. Why in the world would someone put themselves through this exam and never work in public? Why not go for the easier CMA if you want to work in industry? Thanks for saying everything that I've wanted to say the past 5+ months 🙂

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[jm962011]

the CPA license holds a lot of merit in non-public accounting jobs!

Again, look at many INDUSTRY job descriptions, THEY WANT CPAs even if you have don't have public accounting experience…

I went through 3 tax jobs in industry out of college because I had no desire to go to public. Of course my opinion on public experience changed because I wasn't learning or being challenged. I was doing sales tax. Also, the staff accountants were doing journal entries all day… no thank you. During those 3 jobs, I was studying for the exam. My managers supported me, encouraged me, pushed me.

[Missy]

Andyred I can answer that. The CMA isn't as widely recognized as the CPA (and for the people who do know anything about the difference, who is looking for someone who passed the “easier” test?). Almost all industry jobs at management level prefer a CPA. You're going to be hard pressed to find a job listing that says CMA preferred or required.

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

[ruggercpa2b]

I totally disagree that people that put themselves through the CPA SHOULD want to work in public accounting. There are so many people that work in industry that are CPAs and do a pretty damn good of their job without working in public accounting. Public accounting is not the end all be all for CPAs. Just because you have no desire to work in public accounting does not mean you are wasting time pursuing the CPA exam.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[TheHoundThatRides]

The only CPA section that is really only relevant to public accounting is AUD. (and even that might be useful if you go straight into internal audit) The concepts behind FAR, BEC, and REG will be useful no matter where you go. No reason to say that this is only for people seeking public careers.

Also, I don't feel like passing the CPA will allow you to go straight out into the world and know what you're doing. But getting a college degree didn't do that either. Are you really saying none of your accounting education did a good job of setting up the foundations for you to learn what you're doing? After passing FAR I understand the concepts behind the financial statements a lot better. I can't sit down with partners and keep up with intricate discussions about the complex situations they have faced over the years, but I could certainly follow the conversation a lot better than “college freshman me” could have.

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[Missy]

The CPA designation has two separate and unique functions neither one is more important than the other. The first is to enable a professional to sign off on financial statements, and the second is to differentiate oneself among their peers when job searching. If you're a recent grad with no experience, and your competitors for a position (in either public or industry) also have no experience passing the CPA will raise interest. Likewise if you're a seasoned accounting professional trying to get a controller job in industry and you've chosen the CMA path but your competitors for the same position have similar experience and a CPA license, their resume goes higher up in the pile than yours. You don't NEED a CPA to be a great controller or accounting manager but you're less likely to get your foot in the door to demonstrate that fact if you only look mediocre on paper.

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

[Author]

Replies