[Fr0nt0ffice]

I took my first exam a few days ago. I went in unprepared, and I fairly certain I failed, but I took it anyway just to see what it was like. I’m going to be meeting with them soon for an event, and I remember telling them that I was going to take the exam this quarter (although idk if the people I told remember).

If they do ask, would it be unethical to tell them I didn’t take it yet, that I rescheduled for January, since that’s when I actually do plan on really taking it? (like seriously attempt passing it, not just give it a half a$$ attempt). I know it’s not a big deal, and they probably don’t care when, as long as I do eventually pass the exam. But do you guys think its a bad thing to do this? It’s not like lying about your GPA, where its actually a metric where they measure your candidacy on. I didn’t really try to pass it this time, so my first real attempt will be when I retake it in January.

What do you guys think? I don’t like the idea of lying, but I don’t wanna sound like a moron and tell them I got a 30 or something when I get the scores back and I almost certainly bombed horribly. Because that won’t be a true representation of my intelligence or abilities, just me giving it a go for the experience, and to know what it’s like when I do actually take it.

[jeff]

You stand a far greater chance of being haunted by your lie than them finding out about your 30.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

There's never a good reason to be dishonest about something so mundane. Not a good look as honesty is supposed to be the cornerstone of the accounting profession.

[Anonymous]

Do whatever makes you comfortable. If you don't want it to be their business then you don't need to tell them. I know a lot of people suggest not even telling them you are studying and not saying anything until passing.

I took the path of telling everyone because I was hoping to get a little studying in at work. This put pressure on myself but I didn't mind because I new I was going to just try my best and it kind of kept me to that promise I made myself. But it did help that no one at my job was a CPA and they all thought it was the hardest test ever so if I failed I wouldn't have felt that bad.

Also most people don't ask what score you got if you just said you failed or didn't get what you needed then pass the second time it won't have mattered what they think you got on the first try.

[Tim]

I got to “Is it wrong to lie” and already had my answer.

[itooshallpass]

Don't lie… If they really press you for info just be honest and tell them you gave it a shot even though you knew you were under prepared, just to get the experience, and that you plan to give it a better try. That sounds a lot better than just telling them you bombed it. If they are CPAs they will understand the struggle, and if they know that you know what you have to do to pass, you will come off looking better, IMO.

[MattLorenz]

There aren't many situations that someone could justify lying, and when it comes to your employer, I would say never lie. In terms of the CPA exam, I'm in a firm with multiple people taking it, and if someone passes, people will typically ask what their score was, but if someone fails, the usual response is encouragement to keep moving forward and don't get discouraged. It's rare for anyone to pass all 4 on their first attempt, yes it happens, but ultimately how someone responds to the score they receive is more telling than the actual score itself. Yes, you need a 75 to pass, but if you fail, and manage to rework your studying and get after it again, that typically shows the drive you have to succeed, and that's what your company wants to see at the end of the day.

[JMG]

I think people at work get it and won't probe you for details if you fail, that's just bad form really. The CPA is a very personal journey and you can disclose whatever you are comfortable with. Keeping things to yourself is not the same as lying.

[Missy]

I think you're overthinking it and assuming they place more value on your response than they would. Its highly unlikely they'd bring it up to you at an event but even if they did its more likely just polite conversation than them judging you based on your answer.

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

[Anonymous]

When I, as a hiring manager, find out someone has lied to me, I wonder what else that person is lying about. And I never really trust that person again. Jeff is right. Own your failure. In the big picture, a 30 is no different from a 74, and you do not have to disclose your score.

[Small4]

YES. Lying is at the very essence of being unethical. I've had scores lower than 55 (didnt try either, this was yearssss ago), but do they really even ask for the actual score? You can't just tell them you didnt do well? But in any case, lying is never a good option.

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...

[jenpen]

@Tim that was my thought, also! Just leave it there and you're done.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[cpawannabe91]

I had an interview and I left the progress of the exam vague. I said “I have two exams finished and I hope to be finished completely by the end of first quarter of 2018.”

If they ask specifics during my follow-up next week, I’ll have to be honest. Lying flat out is not a good move. My vagueness probably wasn’t great either, but you don’t necessarily have to focus on your failures, just your accomplishments and your future goals.

[Recked]

I would not lie about it. Don't say fail.
You can say you took x parts and did not pass YET.
It would be helpful to have a semi legitimate excuse other than I just didn't really try and study.

[Jun]

I agree with the last comment. Don't lie, rather just dont bring it up. If they ask just say I passed X and Y and am still working on Z. After that change the topic. Getting caught in a lie is very bad. The judgement will be far worse if you're perceived as dishonest

[Author]

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