They told you that because they were projecting. Only losers say shit like that to other people.
If you passed one, you can pass all four. Already halfway there!
How did you go about the career change? Did you get a masters degree in accounting? Just left education and applied to a masters program in accounting wondering if I should have gone the community college route. Any input would be appreciated.
Best of luck! I went the MSA route and would highly recommend in large part for the networking/recruiting events. I worked in Big 4 for a year and have been at my current company for 5 years. Let me know if you have any other questions - I’m more than happy to help another teacher escape the trenches.
I have a question because I'm in a similar situation. I'm trying to career shift out of teaching with a BA and MA but I don't have a STEM or finance background, so I'll have to take almost all the required undergrad prerequisites for an MS. I've been advised to get an advanced certificate and get my CPA to save money and time. What do you think?
Best of luck. I went the MSA route since none of my undergrad courses transferred over. My program (IL, DePaul University) had the appropriate coursework & hours for me to qualify to sit for the exam in IL. I can’t attest on other states, but this worked for me.
I had my M.Ed but the hours alone aren’t enough, so, check with your state. Like I mentioned, the MSA program was the best way for me to get the accounting content & specific hours.
Thank you! I will probably go the MSA route then. Also, would you say there is more of a work-life balance as an accountant? I keep getting mixed feedback on that. Does it truly just depend on working in Big 4 vs smaller firm?
I got mine mostly out of spite, too. Late 20s, still my primary motivation was to take smug people down a peg.
Save it in my back pocket for moments when people try to talk down to others about having their CPAs, so I can tell them my dumbass has it.
Spite makes it worth keeping even after I left the industry.
24.
If you take the PA route, there’s a small bonus if you pass in the first 2 years (2nd year is smaller bonus). They also pay for your CPA materials plus the fee for the first try of each test.
I also find it best to finish the CPA earlier since you are fresh out of school and the material you learn should be top of mind.
Finally, I feel like it gets harder and harder as you get older since most likely there are more responsibilities. If I were to do it right now, I have no idea how I would fit in studying for the CPA while working, taking care of the family, etc.
Hahaha definitely still doable based on the older ages in the responses but “young and free time” really go hand in hand.
I would be really sad if I were forced to study and not spend time with my significant other or kids after work.
Definitely! I'm 29 now and halfway through (different professional certification) and I'm having to forgo a lot cos there's no way I'm balancing all of that. 🤣
“Passed 4 out of 4 parts of the CPA exam” was the headline. It was generally fine as an ice breaker once I began grad school and had a plan.
Edit: I had a good job then I VBA’d my way into a great one via promotion.
>31 because i hated that the younger employees had it and i didnt. I only got it out of spite.
Did you take it as soon as you graduated? How long did it take you to pass all 4?
The Masters program I attended allotted time for us to take the exams. It should of only taken me about 4 months to pass but it was during covid and my test kept getting canceled. I got lucky in passing all 4 the first time so I passed about when I started full time.
I see a large contrast between those getting CPA below and above 30 here! For those below, did you take CPA right after graduation? And for those above, what was the reason that CPA was gotten late? Apologies for my bad english by the way. Im not a native speaker.
I did not have the credit hours needed for the CPA exam. I went back for my Masters at 29 and got my CPA right after that. When I was younger it was not on my radar at all.
I did not want it for the longest time. I also never did public accounting. But the further I got in my career, the more of a failure I felt for not having it. Lastly, my husband also did it at the same time and his decision to do so was really my final motivational push to do it. We did it together and both went 4/4.
I got mine the week I turned 24 - I started studying when I was 22 a year out of undergrad. Took FAR (Feb 2019), didn't pass it, took a break from studying, took FAR again (Feb 2020), passed it and kept going.
I couldn't get into public accounting and worked in industry and pretty much was able to study through the work day / anytime it wasn't month-end.
probably matters about 5+ years into your career, so whatever age you'll be by then
first 5 years out of school, CPA vs non-CPA accounting salaries aren't that different
not a lot, but CPA with 2-3 years of Big 4 experience guarantees you a six figure job in MCOL, very possible with mid size too depending on the industry your clients were in
100k a year for a 25-26 year old whos just clickety clacking in excel/outlook/pdf all day is not a bad deal at all
Depends on the person and place in life. 22 year old me probably wouldn't have made it, but 35-36 year old me just marched through the material every night and passed the tests
Let mine lapse in my 20s, then went back and took it again at 44….took me 2 years to pass it and I failed FAR twice! Also, just passed the CMA which I highly recommend because there’s a lot of overlap. Maybe I’ll take the EA exam next!!!
Passed the exams at 23. Didn’t get license until 24.
Passing the exams felt better than graduating college. I could have gotten my license at 23 but waited a bit to stall my CPE requirement for the state I was applying to. A now manager I worked with sat on her passed exams without applying for 5 years until our firm forced her to license to avoid the hassle of state CPE.
28
After having 2 kids WHILE working in PA for 6 years. Never missed a busy season. I did a victory lap as a sr associate because they kept me so booked I never had an 18 month window to get it done, so I couldn’t be promoted. It was even asked once if I would try to take my exams WHILE ON MATERNITY LEAVE.
After leaving to go to a small private company I knocked out all 4 exams on the first try in 5 months. While working full time. With 2 kids under age 5.
Trust me, it’s never too late. You can do it.
32. Didn’t go to college until I was 21. My wife had passed the exam before me and she knew the dedication needed. She made dinner every night and left me to study. My exam scores were 78, 77, 74, 73… and I hated life for failing. Thankfully passed the next two tries. Own a solo virtual tax/bookkeeping firm now and have a fantastic schedule where I work a busy tax season, and that’s about it. I get to spend all the time in the world with my kids. CPA life made that possible. So thankful.
I got my CPA LICENSE when I was 30. Remember, you take the CPA exam, you get your CPA license and you are a CPA. Sorry, this grinds my gears as much as when people are asking why they haven't received their tax return (refund).
30 and just starting to study (again) now. At my firm I can make it to tax director with an EA, and for a long time thought that’s where I might want to be done progressing. I regret not doing this sooner but it took me a little to realize the opportunities I have and how capable I am of reaching certain goals. I’ll get it done one way or another!
Went back to school for my masters at 38. Passed the exams and years in public by 42 I could have stayed on as an executive assistant to someone more important than me.
But I decided to go the CPA route.
Did 5 years in public accounting now I’m on the other side working for a nonprofit. I still have at least 15-20 more years in the workforce. I’m glad I made the jump
Currently 36 working towards CPA in Canada. Was one of the few seniors at B4 without CPA, but in hindsight I would try to complete the process right after graduating as it gets tougher once you have more responsibilities at work and home. Also the Canadian program is not very ADHD friendly which adds to the challenge!
Passed all four by 23, licensed at 24 after my first year in public. They really pushed us toward that in my accounting program and worked the Becker study materials into the curriculum for our MAcc year so we had a lot of practice with how the test questions were structured.
25 (30 years ago). Florida went to the 5th year rule when I was in still in college. Many of us went & took the exam in Georgia while we were still in school & then applied for reciprocity in FL after we got our remaining credits wrapped up. It was so much easier than trying to study while working. Of course, the exam was 2.5 days, sit for all parts you hadn't passed yet, no calculators, etc. Could I do it now? Oh hell no.
27, would have been sooner if I went to the MAcc program right after bachelors. And even after finishing the masters waited a year. I saw younger staff than me were all sitting and passing exams and that did it. Lol
Starting now at 26 but honestly doubted myself and thought it was too late given my peers were like 22/23 when they got theirs. Seeing this forum has shed some light and definitely helps feel a bit better to see its never too late 🙂
26 - felt behind at the time but now (only a year and a half later) I feel like I’ve had it forever 😆 it’s a good feeling when it’s done and worth the temporary suffering.
31 because i hated that the younger employees had it and i didnt. I only got it out of spite.
Spite is great motivation
I’m working on mine (2/4) out of spite. Former coworkers in my former career told me I’d never make it outside of teaching.
They told you that because they were projecting. Only losers say shit like that to other people. If you passed one, you can pass all four. Already halfway there!
Absolutely! I left 8 years ago and haven’t looked back.
How did you go about the career change? Did you get a masters degree in accounting? Just left education and applied to a masters program in accounting wondering if I should have gone the community college route. Any input would be appreciated.
Best of luck! I went the MSA route and would highly recommend in large part for the networking/recruiting events. I worked in Big 4 for a year and have been at my current company for 5 years. Let me know if you have any other questions - I’m more than happy to help another teacher escape the trenches.
I have a question because I'm in a similar situation. I'm trying to career shift out of teaching with a BA and MA but I don't have a STEM or finance background, so I'll have to take almost all the required undergrad prerequisites for an MS. I've been advised to get an advanced certificate and get my CPA to save money and time. What do you think?
Best of luck. I went the MSA route since none of my undergrad courses transferred over. My program (IL, DePaul University) had the appropriate coursework & hours for me to qualify to sit for the exam in IL. I can’t attest on other states, but this worked for me.
Thank you! Because I have an MA, I technically meet the 150 hour requirement. It's the subject matter I need.
I had my M.Ed but the hours alone aren’t enough, so, check with your state. Like I mentioned, the MSA program was the best way for me to get the accounting content & specific hours.
Good point. My BA (Humanities) +MA (History) is 157 hours. I just need content.
Thank you! I will probably go the MSA route then. Also, would you say there is more of a work-life balance as an accountant? I keep getting mixed feedback on that. Does it truly just depend on working in Big 4 vs smaller firm?
Lmfao I too am doing it to prove the world and myself wrong and to add the new title to the name feel meeee abc soup gang
The emotions are strong with this one
Teach me your wisdom, master
Let the hate flow through you...
I got mine mostly out of spite, too. Late 20s, still my primary motivation was to take smug people down a peg. Save it in my back pocket for moments when people try to talk down to others about having their CPAs, so I can tell them my dumbass has it. Spite makes it worth keeping even after I left the industry.
r/unexpectedseinfeld
45, and I'm 38 so I still have time.
Me too. Started at 38, CPA at 45. Bought my own firm at 48
Lol
Ha!
Same here!!
45, less than a year ago
36, also less than a year ago!
35, but it's been nearly 30 years ago.
Giving me hope.
I’m 39 and still working on it. Passed one test so far.
You got this!
Same! 39 and working on it. I am studying for my first test though. Way to go, passing your first part!
24. If you take the PA route, there’s a small bonus if you pass in the first 2 years (2nd year is smaller bonus). They also pay for your CPA materials plus the fee for the first try of each test. I also find it best to finish the CPA earlier since you are fresh out of school and the material you learn should be top of mind. Finally, I feel like it gets harder and harder as you get older since most likely there are more responsibilities. If I were to do it right now, I have no idea how I would fit in studying for the CPA while working, taking care of the family, etc.
"Somehow I manage."
Hahaha definitely still doable based on the older ages in the responses but “young and free time” really go hand in hand. I would be really sad if I were forced to study and not spend time with my significant other or kids after work.
Definitely! I'm 29 now and halfway through (different professional certification) and I'm having to forgo a lot cos there's no way I'm balancing all of that. 🤣
Haha all good man. You got this :). Short term sacrifice, long term gain.
Is that the book by reputable author Michael Scott? Who also directed Threat Level Midnight?
That's the one!
i was 4, right after i got my 150 credits - you guys are behind big time
38. But I passed my last section at 28. I’m not a closer.
Did you just put "CPA eligible" on your resume the whole decade? Or not change jobs?
“Passed 4 out of 4 parts of the CPA exam” was the headline. It was generally fine as an ice breaker once I began grad school and had a plan. Edit: I had a good job then I VBA’d my way into a great one via promotion.
23
>31 because i hated that the younger employees had it and i didnt. I only got it out of spite. Did you take it as soon as you graduated? How long did it take you to pass all 4?
The Masters program I attended allotted time for us to take the exams. It should of only taken me about 4 months to pass but it was during covid and my test kept getting canceled. I got lucky in passing all 4 the first time so I passed about when I started full time.
Same. Passed two parts in grad school, 2 parts the summer after my first busy season
43
29. A year after I graduated with my MAcc. 7 years after my failure to launch with my sociology degree.
I see a large contrast between those getting CPA below and above 30 here! For those below, did you take CPA right after graduation? And for those above, what was the reason that CPA was gotten late? Apologies for my bad english by the way. Im not a native speaker.
I did not have the credit hours needed for the CPA exam. I went back for my Masters at 29 and got my CPA right after that. When I was younger it was not on my radar at all.
I got mine at 23 I think. Graduated in May, started studying June and finished in December. I was working full time as a staff auditor.
I did not want it for the longest time. I also never did public accounting. But the further I got in my career, the more of a failure I felt for not having it. Lastly, my husband also did it at the same time and his decision to do so was really my final motivational push to do it. We did it together and both went 4/4.
I got mine the week I turned 24 - I started studying when I was 22 a year out of undergrad. Took FAR (Feb 2019), didn't pass it, took a break from studying, took FAR again (Feb 2020), passed it and kept going. I couldn't get into public accounting and worked in industry and pretty much was able to study through the work day / anytime it wasn't month-end.
Why couldn’t you get into PA is it hard to get in?
I partied too much out of school so I postponed it until my 30s
Above 30 here. Fear of failing again stopped me for 15 years. Finally got tired of having doors shut in my face for not having one.
35
23
Is age very important?
probably matters about 5+ years into your career, so whatever age you'll be by then first 5 years out of school, CPA vs non-CPA accounting salaries aren't that different
I see. If CPA (audit line) in big 4 vs CPA (audit line) in mid size firm, will the salary different a lot?
not a lot, but CPA with 2-3 years of Big 4 experience guarantees you a six figure job in MCOL, very possible with mid size too depending on the industry your clients were in 100k a year for a 25-26 year old whos just clickety clacking in excel/outlook/pdf all day is not a bad deal at all
I see. Yeah, earn 100k at 25-26year old is a lot.
Depends on the person and place in life. 22 year old me probably wouldn't have made it, but 35-36 year old me just marched through the material every night and passed the tests
42
28
Looking for ppl over 40 bc that will be me eventually 🥴😭
Let mine lapse in my 20s, then went back and took it again at 44….took me 2 years to pass it and I failed FAR twice! Also, just passed the CMA which I highly recommend because there’s a lot of overlap. Maybe I’ll take the EA exam next!!!
23
Passed the exams at 23. Didn’t get license until 24. Passing the exams felt better than graduating college. I could have gotten my license at 23 but waited a bit to stall my CPE requirement for the state I was applying to. A now manager I worked with sat on her passed exams without applying for 5 years until our firm forced her to license to avoid the hassle of state CPE.
50, just 2 years ago
52
Passed at 33, that was the big hurdle, probably be all said and done about 35 (Career Change).
25
Passed the exam at 22, got licensed at 25
30 and flirty and thriving
28 After having 2 kids WHILE working in PA for 6 years. Never missed a busy season. I did a victory lap as a sr associate because they kept me so booked I never had an 18 month window to get it done, so I couldn’t be promoted. It was even asked once if I would try to take my exams WHILE ON MATERNITY LEAVE. After leaving to go to a small private company I knocked out all 4 exams on the first try in 5 months. While working full time. With 2 kids under age 5. Trust me, it’s never too late. You can do it.
32. Didn’t go to college until I was 21. My wife had passed the exam before me and she knew the dedication needed. She made dinner every night and left me to study. My exam scores were 78, 77, 74, 73… and I hated life for failing. Thankfully passed the next two tries. Own a solo virtual tax/bookkeeping firm now and have a fantastic schedule where I work a busy tax season, and that’s about it. I get to spend all the time in the world with my kids. CPA life made that possible. So thankful.
27
Hopefully before I turn 40 LOL
I got my CPA LICENSE when I was 30. Remember, you take the CPA exam, you get your CPA license and you are a CPA. Sorry, this grinds my gears as much as when people are asking why they haven't received their tax return (refund).
36 but i hated accounting, and the course was too expensive
im projecting to get it by 30
30 and just starting to study (again) now. At my firm I can make it to tax director with an EA, and for a long time thought that’s where I might want to be done progressing. I regret not doing this sooner but it took me a little to realize the opportunities I have and how capable I am of reaching certain goals. I’ll get it done one way or another!
35, just got final approval and license number today 🥳
32
24
29
29
21
21 twins!
45
46; just over a year ago
Right after I turned 30.
I was around 30 when I got licensed which was 4ish years after completing test.
I was 7
23
23
43.
46
42
23
36.
38. Don’t remember any of it.
41. Worked in industry and didn't really see a need for it until then.
Never, but applaud those that do.
I'm 29 w a BS in Math. Didn't like my path and am currently taking the courses to sit for the exam. I'm aiming for 31-32 to take it
Went back to school for my masters at 38. Passed the exams and years in public by 42 I could have stayed on as an executive assistant to someone more important than me. But I decided to go the CPA route. Did 5 years in public accounting now I’m on the other side working for a nonprofit. I still have at least 15-20 more years in the workforce. I’m glad I made the jump
33. Took me 4 years to get it after deciding I wanted to be one.
32
24
26
25
25
25, last year
32
27
29
32
29
25 but you can be much older and still find value in it.
26 when I passed all four. 27 when I’m licensed. It’s never too late.
26
36. I went to a new cpa gathering last fall for my state and there were tons of older new cpas
27
37; 2 years go
24
26
Currently 36 working towards CPA in Canada. Was one of the few seniors at B4 without CPA, but in hindsight I would try to complete the process right after graduating as it gets tougher once you have more responsibilities at work and home. Also the Canadian program is not very ADHD friendly which adds to the challenge!
87
I had just turned 37.
Gonna be 34 when i get it in a few months booya
24
31
Passed and licensed at 23
35
I had just turned 33
33, passed my last test 2 days after my first kid was born. 0/10 would not recommend, pass before kid is born.
27
32.
22
38
22
Passed all four by 23, licensed at 24 after my first year in public. They really pushed us toward that in my accounting program and worked the Becker study materials into the curriculum for our MAcc year so we had a lot of practice with how the test questions were structured.
Exams done at 25 or 26. Then went B6 and finished experience at 29.
28. Should have been earlier but slacked off for a couple years.
24 I got it
Did you take it as soon as you graduated? How long did it take you to pass all 4?
21
24. Tested right out of college
32
41
25 (30 years ago). Florida went to the 5th year rule when I was in still in college. Many of us went & took the exam in Georgia while we were still in school & then applied for reciprocity in FL after we got our remaining credits wrapped up. It was so much easier than trying to study while working. Of course, the exam was 2.5 days, sit for all parts you hadn't passed yet, no calculators, etc. Could I do it now? Oh hell no.
93 but that was 42 years ago... Seriously though I was 34. February 24, 2017. About 2 years after graduating college and entering the field.
Waiting on my last exam score, will be 25 by the time I get my work requirement tho
24
*:: cries from still having one more section to go at damn near 40 years of age ::*
25
Technical 32, but I passed all the exams at 26. Took me 6 years to take/beat the ethics exam.
22
Passed the exam at 24 but was 25 when I got my 2 year required experience.
32
Hoping this year. Ripe age of 36
I got it along with my birth certificate at parturition. I audited the DOJ at 7 years old. Then audited The Czech Republic at 15.
27
27, would have been sooner if I went to the MAcc program right after bachelors. And even after finishing the masters waited a year. I saw younger staff than me were all sitting and passing exams and that did it. Lol
Starting now at 26 but honestly doubted myself and thought it was too late given my peers were like 22/23 when they got theirs. Seeing this forum has shed some light and definitely helps feel a bit better to see its never too late 🙂
29
24, glad I did it early
60 made to senior then retired at 65
I'm 34 and will sit for the first section of the exam this summer, so hopefully 35!
22, right out of college.
33
24
31, last year
Awaiting my approvals for licensure since I passed my final one, but 31.
33 en el 2021
25
31
Took tests from age 25-26, licensed at 27. 45 now.
26
24.5 😂
22
23 - back then couldn’t get promoted to senior in PA in 1987
I started it at 39..
26
26
Is it true that American CPAs are far less competent than Canadians
37
26
26 - felt behind at the time but now (only a year and a half later) I feel like I’ve had it forever 😆 it’s a good feeling when it’s done and worth the temporary suffering.
23
26
Passed exams at 23, fully licensed at 25. Didn’t want to write Oregon’s narrative requirement, got lucky they dropped in late in 2023
25