[yourmomsaCPA]

Hey guys! I just wanted to post an update for anyone it may help. I started the CPA exam process at 31 years old with a 11, 5, and 4 year old. I also worked full time as a Financial Controller for a global chemical company (been there 4.5 years at the time). I’ve never worked in public accounting aside from a 6 month internship (tier 2 firm) and I can’t express in written word how much I hated it. Anyways, I knew I needed to get my license for future job prospects. I use about 10-15% of the material covered in my actual career but whatever.

Anyways, just like most of you know, staying motivated is rough. It’s a long process with so much material to cover and sometimes it literally seems hopeless and just not doable. In those times I’d come here and read some threads and look at some signatures and see how long other people were able to stick with it. If they could stick with it for 2 years sometimes, I must be weak to think of giving up after 6-8 months. It would give me a smidge of motivation to push past the road block I was at.

Six months after I got my license, I was offered another Controller position with a nice $45,000 increase in pay. IT WAS WORTH THE STRUGGLE LOL! Quick disclaimer – I had a pretty great industry resume before my license so I was able to play with the big boys so to speak and not everyone will be in that situation…especially you youngsters. 😉

So anyways, I thought I’d share for anybody that may be at a roadblock RIGHT NOW. Just keep swimming!

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[Pokey]

That is so awesome!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story – I have been unmotivated lately and I also have a prime opportunity to move into the position of CFO if I could just get my CPA (this would be of course over a 4 year period so I have a little time) but knowing others have went through struggles (full time work/mom) then I know I can do it as well.

Again thank you for your story.

AUD - 74 (3x), TBD
BEC - Sept16
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD

[cmcook]

Thanks for this – barely mustering the will to go on at this point. And I'm only six months in!

[bhunt815]

$45k is a HUGE bump! Congrat's! I got a $17k raise and a much better job with less stress and fewer hours. I'm crazy happy with my results so I agree that the process worth it.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Anonymous]

Amazing post but one questions!! Where are ya'll living lol?? I passed the CPA exam and have 2 years of public accounting at a mid-size firm. I've been trying to transition into industry for a few months now and it's been a struggle. These companies either want big 4 or large regional firm candidates or they are hire internally. When I started the job hunt I really didn't think it was going to be this difficult. I live in Michigan and I feel there is a lot of job opportunities in the area. I've also been working with a few recruiters to no avail. It's pretty discouraging and I appreciate your post telling people to keep their head up and march on!!

[yourmomsaCPA]

I live in Houston and to be honest, it's the mecca of industry jobs so it's hard to compare (even though Houston isn't exactly paradise). What size of industry companies are you looking at? I personally have always stayed away from Fortune 500 types. It's just not me or my pace. You're a number and have a very narrow field of work and it's VERY hard to see where you've made a big difference. But it's definitely where some strive to be. My first position in industry was a cost accounting position in a fairly small town with a company generating $600M in revenue and privately held. That's been the biggest company revenue wise where I've worked. I made $40k. I jumped up to $60k when I moved to Houston and have climbed to a base of around $145k with a 25% bonus structure. I'm SOO glad I was able to take a $40k job and wasn't priced out of it initially.

As much as I've talked about being old, I'm the youngest director level in my company by 13 years (and the least paid btw). I would not sneeze at small businesses!

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[Want2BeCPAsoBad]

OMG, your situation sounds like mine except I'm starting my cpa journey at 33. However, I LOVE my public accounting firm LOL. I just really hope I move up quickly so I don't have to leave to industry. However, having to care for kid's expenses I really want promoted every 2 years or I may have to go back to industry to be at the salary I want to be in. My only concern with industry is after you get to be a controller; what is next? What is the salary cap for that position? How is your work and life balance? When I was in industry controller had crazy hours all year long. At least at my firm its only during busy season and the rest if 40 hours a week. I always wonder how it is at other “industry” places. Thank you so much for sharing

[benboccio]

I feel like I need to go into public before I make the decision to go into industry.

[Author]

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