[DISLCPA]

I have been back and forth about taking the test. I have already taken it once about 8yrs ago and didn’t pass one part (I also crammed all 4 parts in 6mos). I have been in public accounting for about 12yrs and now I feel I am at a point in my life to where I can take it again. I have severe test anxiety and I don’t know if emotionally I can handle failing again. I am also 40yrs old and feel like it just might be a waste doing this at my age. On top of all this my boss is really after me to take the test which I am kinda not sure why, there is another co worker who is in the same position as me but my boss isn’t pushing him at all only me. I have scheduled to take BEC in July, I have already pushed the test date back once, I am just needing to know if anyone is currently in my position or has been.

Thank you in advance 🙂

BEC(8/12/16)
AUD
FAR
REG

[livealittle]

I am 46 and have FAR left to pass.

It's not too late, and there must be an underlying reason why your boss is pushing you to get the CPA certification. Only you can decide if it's right for you. If you decide that's what you want to do, make a plan and stick to it. Best of luck to you.

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

[DISLCPA]

Thank you for your comment. I want to do it and it is the last goal I have set out for myself to do. I just don't want to disappoint anyone else or myself. My boss has offered to pay for my test and study material but I told him I won't take payment from him unless I pass. I know I just need to suck it up and do it but there is that “what if I don't pass again” in the back of my head.

BEC(8/12/16)
AUD
FAR
REG

[livealittle]

and what if you don't?

this doesn't define your worth as a person. It's just a test. Yes, it is a really hard test, but it's still just a test.

If you want to do it, do it for YOU. not for your boss.

my advice, if you decide to do it, do it on the down-low and don't tell people at work. Then you eliminate the pressure of people asking you, did you pass? did you take it yet? etc.

I really like the Becker self study material. It's design is very complementary to my learning style. If I had it to do over again, I would only purchase 1 section at a time. I would start studying and then schedule a test date. I would put my initial test date at the beginning of a test window and then I could move it if I didn't think I was going to be ready. do 1 part at a time. make sure you KNOW the material in chapter 1 before moving on to chapter 2, etc.

something I did was make an excel sheet that tracked my progress tests. I had each chapter broken out and Becker gives you the breakdown of how many questions were from each chapter. I had a running average at the bottom so I could always see my trends. Everyone at my CPA firm said “do Becker, if you do everything Becker says to do, you will pass”.

I rescheduled 2 of my tests. BEC which I took first and passed the first time and this next time to take FAR, I pushed it out 3 weeks.

Lots of CPA firms give cash incentives or pay for testing and study material. It's in the CPA firm's best interest to certify their workforce. If you firm wants to pay for it, I see no problem letting them. if you are uncomfortable, maybe let him reimburse you after you pass.

wow, that was long. lol

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

[DISLCPA]

I see what you are saying and Yes I will only do it for myself and my family more than anything. It is just a test and tests have always been my problem. I think I may have to drink before I take to take the edge off…LOL, it worked in Grad School. I used Becker my first time and I did not like it at all, but that is why there are different study materials out there. I plan on using only Ninja this time, it seems to geared to more of how I learn. I am going to take my time and make sure I am comfortable with the material before I test, I have given myself 2 full months to study for BEC. With the test changing in 2017 I am trying to finish before then, even thou with what I have read it may be easier since you have to apply actually decisions used in the workplace versus just studying a book.

BEC(8/12/16)
AUD
FAR
REG

[Jezzie]

I am 44 and sitting for the CPA exam. I qualify under the 120 hour rule. I went back to school to get my MBA a couple years ago. I sat for the CPA exam years ago several times when it was a 2 day test. I am still in complete shock I passed FAR the first time I sat for it. If you put y our mind to it and put in the study time, you can do this.

FAR 2/23/16 76
AUD 5/13/16 69, 7/5/16 87
REG Nov 2016
BEC Sept 6

[Missy]

Many of us are or were 40+ when we started this. Fear of failure is a very hard thing to overcome but its all about perspective. When I was taking the exams of course I cared very much if I passed but looked failure straight in the eyes and said I would win, if i failed once I'd try twice, if I failed twice I'd try three times. Suddenly when you realize failure is temporary its just not so intimidating anymore. It took me seven tries to pass 4 exams and every time I got knocked down it made me more determined to show the exam who the boss was.

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

[sdollen64]

I started the exam in 2006 when I was with an accounting firm. Passed BEC and AUD and then decided to move into internal auditing and didn't pursue the exam any further. I was also 41 at the time and had a 4yr old and a 7yr old and just didn't want to put the time into it. Had no desire and didn't really need it for internal. I did get the CIA certification, which by the way was a piece of cake.

Here I am at 51 and going to give it another shot. I work in accounting in the private sector and want to give myself options. I have the same fear of failing too. So much fear of it that I'm trying to talk myself into pushing my first exam (FAR) scheduled for 5/28, until July. I have just under 4 weeks but don't feel anywhere near ready – I still have a couple of Yeager modules to cover and then start working problems. A type II Diabetic with sleep apnea makes it hard for me to focus when I study and not sure how I'll retain enough to get that elusive 75%.

I don't want to let my kids and wife down or myself. But, I was saying something to my wife about feeling the stress already and we both said the same thing – “It isn't a life or death situation”. If I don't pass the first time, I'll take it again. And you know what? I've told my son, who is now 14 years old, that you are certainly going to fail if you don't at least try. I need to take that to heart regarding my own situation with this test.

So, you and I both need to get over our fear and stress and realize it's a test. We won't die if we don't pass! It'll suck and sure will feel like crap, but just get back up and do it again. Persistence seems to be a key component to passing.

I hope that helps somewhat. You just have to decide if you want to do it. If you don't really want to, it will only make it that much more difficult to pass.

Good luck!

ETA: When I was with the public accounting firm, it was kind of an inside joke that everyone tried to schedule exams for Saturday. That way, they didn't have to take a day off from work and the Partners wouldn't be made aware that you were taking an exam. Nothing like added pressure having the Partners know you were taking it and then asking you how you did.

[Author]

Replies