[12OatK]

I know this has probably been asked a million times but seriously, is the prospect of passing these exams actually worth the hassle? I’m asking because one thing this exam process has taught me is that I really have no intrinsic desire to become a CPA. Honestly, it’s something I’m doing because I’m supposed to do it and everyone I’ve interacted with from school/work is doing it. It’s pretty hard to be motivated to achieve something you’re indifferent towards. I’ve passed two exams and instead of feeling excited and motivated all I feel is even more annoyance and depression because it’s one more excuse for quitting that’s been taken away. Now I’m struggling to get through a single page of REG and wondering if this is finally the end of the line. Would appreciate if anyone’s been in a similar boat.

[DocJ]

“I really have no intrinsic desire to become a CPA”

Then no, probably not worth it.

First of all, you're in a biased forum for a question like this. I guarantee you're gonna hear people pish-posh like “oh you just have burnout” or “well then what are you gonna do with your life?” Don't listen to that nonsense, and don't do stuff cuz you're supposed to. End of day, you are the only one who's going to live with your choices.

Seriously, everyone always hems and haws about “ZOMG YOU HAVE TO DO THE CPA OR YOU'LL BE A LOSER OMFG!!!1!@!” Well, those people are the real losers. They scream and kick and cry in trying to get you to do stuff that they themselves won't deal with. I mean, can you imagine how selfish and jerkish that is? Giving advice when they wouldn't do the exams themselves or face the mental pain and exhaustion that comes with it. NEVER take quote-unquote advice from someone who wouldn't take it themselves.

Find your own reasons. Personally, I'm not 100% sure I want to be a CPA either, but I still wanna at least do the exams. I like the challenge, and I like that it may serve as a fallback in the future, and I graduated from college with an accounting major like 10+ years ago. I've been thirsty to FINALLY prove myself.

End of day, find your OWN reasons. Screw everybody else, including those closest to you. It's your life.

[thunderlips]

With that mindset, no. This is what the test does to people. Either you want it and will not stop till you get it or you give up or question yourself about being a CPA

[Mindy I.]

I wasn't for me for more than 10 years after college so I didn't do it. Last year it became worth it so I did. I switched from private accounting to tax prep several years ago and that made a big difference. I also needed to be in a different place in my personal life to have the head space to get it done. I have zero regrets about waiting until it made sense for me but now I'm very glad to be done.

[jd]

I’m still young, don’t have the hours so I haven’t seen the big effects of passing CPA yet, but every CPA I have come across stresses the edge it gives not only to the resume/career, but it feels amazing to finally pass. Not many better feelings in the world than success

[Biff Tannen]

If deep down in your heart you really want to be a cpa, you’ll do whatever it takes to pass these exams. If you only want to be a cpa because mommy and daddy (or other forms of social pressure), then you’ll half ass these exams and fail. Ask yourself – why do you really want to be a cpa?

[Icarito]

If there is any part of you that desires to be a CPA, you should continue on and knock out the other 2 parts. I was in the same spot as you, doing it because I thought I needed to do it, didn't even know if I wanted to continue a career in accounting. I made unmotivated attempts at the exams 3 different times, passed a couple here and there, but never was “all in”. 10 years passed and the feeling of wanted CPA next to my name never fully went away. Keep moving forward, you're a lot closer than you think.

[Accounting_is_Taxing]

You might not desire it currently but what about in 10 years? It's much easier to pass the exams in the present than it will be in the future when you most likely will have more responsibilities.

[bigstakk]

You will always regret it if you don’t finish it and being that you’re half way there it would be a terrible move to quit this far in. If you plan to stay in accounting you will 100% need it eventually and even if you don’t intend to stay in accounting it will only bolster your resume and credibility so it’s a win win. You also get certain discounts and favorable bias from creditors as a cpa. So many benefits overall. But, if you don’t have the mental fortitude to finish up then just quit. You’ve got to want it and prioritize it and not let anything including yourself get in the way.

[Anthony]

Motivation can only get you so far in life. It's all about self discipline. If you thought studying for the exam sucks..boy you're in a long haul when you hit the real world.

[aaronmo]

Is it worth it? Maybe, maybe not. It certainly was to me, and it is the most respected license/cert/ in the business world. If you were just starting, I'd say quit if you want…but if you've passed two, that just seems like such a waste.

I'd finish it.

[Nate]

I'm surprised you passed even two with such little motivation, what tests did you pass, AUD and BEC? If you passed FAR and AUD, then it'd be a little more costly to quit now. You're halfway, don't you think it'd be worth it just to finish it to improve your resume/worth? Are you just not wanting to be in accounting at all or do you not want your CPA? The reason I was motivated to get my CPA license was cause I was promised a big raise if I got it, you must not have any incentive like that. Regardless, you can still have a successful accounting career without a CPA license, plenty of people have done it. You just won't have as high of a position and salary as those with the license. But if you are looking to get completely out of accounting into an industry where the CPA license means nothing, then no harm in giving up now. I guess for me personally, it would drive me crazy to be halfway done with something as big as the CPA exams and give up without finishing and it would haunt me the rest of my life.

[Recked]

Yes, hands down it is worth it.
You are halfway through. I guarantee if you don't finish you will regret it one day.
Multiple times I sat down and checked out review courses, and printed applications, and requested transcripts from colleges, etc but just let life keep getting in the way.
Just keep pushing. You got this!!

[AusNat]

Is there some other career path you want to pursue where a CPA license would never be of any use whatsoever? If so, then perhaps consider the time and money spent so far a sunk cost and move on. But I'd only do that if you've got another path picked out that this exam process is keeping you from and you're sure a license will be completely worthless. Otherwise, I'd finish it out. You can always change course later if you do discover something else you want to do. Get your license, find a job you don't hate (it doesn't have to be a passion – it's ok for jobs to just be the things that pay for our passions) and start setting some money aside for going back to school or something similar if you decide you want to do something else.

[Tugga]

Your question is valid. Is the CPA worth it? Now only you can know what you want to do with this designation. You have to have the passion to really want it. Find your passion and then go for broke. Be true to what you really want. If it is the CPA, then go for it.

[CPAHOPE]

You are half way there! Just finish it man. What if u wanted to be a cpa in the future because of job reasons but you decide to quit right now? You see my point?

[Author]

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