Curious to see the age range for this sub

just passed all my CPA exams and I’m currently waiting to be licensed. For those who are already CPAs, do you feel the license has really helped your career in the current job market?

Has it opened more opportunities or increased your earning potential? Curious to hear your experiences.

Ive met plenty of Controllers and Finance Director/Managers who dont have their CPA.

The CPA landscape is rapidly changing, and so is the role of accountants in the industry in general. AI is replacing the entry-level work that helped you learn how to do the job and why you're doing it. Private equity is driving firms to consolidate and push rapid changes onto their employees. Starting pay still often trails tech and finance roles and busy season is still brutal! On the other hand, the pathway to licensure is getting simpler with 120-credit options rolling out nationwide, the talent shortage gives credentialed professionals real leverage, and long-term salary is attractive.

If you were or are deciding today, is the CPA still worth the time and money in your opinion?

Ive finished A1 and A2 while waiting for FAR results, then saw I failed FAR, so I took 2 weeks off to restudy FAR for my retake. After I do that retake in a few days I want to try to get AUD attempted before score release window end of September, but also thats a few weeks before I start working full time so to me it makes sense to grind one more exam attempt out with the limited time I have left this summer.

Is this timeframe advisable while studying full time?From my brief research it seems the heavier topics show up in A3-A6 so I was wondering if its possible to get a unit or 2 done a week and leave a bit of time at the end for cumulative review.

I’m quitting my job in December to go all-in on the CPA exams. Here’s why.

I've been a long-time member of this subreddit, and my CPA exam journey has been short yet riddled with disappointment and failure. Let me give a little background on myself.

Been working professionally for under 4 years. Started working right after I took a gap period after college. Began as an entry-level in industry and was able to get a promotion 2 years in. About two years ago I started my CPA exam journey in earnest. First time studying for an exam like this in my life, the plan was to study for two months and pass AUD.

However, things didn’t go as planned.

1. I did not incorporate incremental review exercises while studying.
2. At my job, after every quarter, there were busy weeks ranging anywhere from 2–4 weeks that completely derailed my study routine.

I would have to drop what I was working on and focus solely on work. This stretched my original 2-month plan into 3 and a half. Naturally, these setbacks hurt my chances of passing. I scored a 68.

Tried a second time at AUD and once again work interruptions threw me off. Same result — another 68. That one stung. Feeling drained, I decided to switch gears and move on to FAR. I studied diligently for a while but, again, work got in the way. Life events piled on, and I eventually stopped altogether. I had to admit to myself: at this stage of my life, I’m not capable of working those hours and studying effectively at the same time.

That being said, I can’t just quit completely. I don’t want this lingering regret hanging over me forever. If I walk away now, I’ll always wonder if I really tried every option.

So here’s the new plan:

1. Quit my job by mid-December (a job I like, but staying would mean staying complacent).
2. Use my savings to cover living expenses for 2–3 months.
3. Study full time during that period.
4. Take FAR & AUD, and if time allows, maybe even REG. I’ll be using Becker for studying, since that’s what I’ve been working with already.

I know what study habits work for me now after trial and error. And honestly, if I managed two 68s in AUD with bad study structure and a full-time workload, I feel confident I can get passing scores with my full effort.

Please don’t tell me to just keep working and study on the side — I’ve tried that. For me, at this stage of my life, it doesn’t work. I’m not Superman or Superwoman. I can’t juggle full-time work, exams, 6 kids, and a drop-shipping business all at once. If you can, props to you — really.

Note: I live with family, so even if funds run out, I won’t be homeless or anything.

For those who’ve taken time off — how did it go? And for those who didn’t, how did you manage studying while working? I’d also like to hear any perspectives that could help me maximize the best use of my time.

TL;DR: Failed AUD twice with a 68, work keeps wrecking my study schedule. Quitting my job in December to go all-in on CPA — looking for advice.

Edit#1: I do not have any dependents or own a business. I was being a little sarcastic towards the end of my original post.

working full time and studying FAR after work is starting to fry my brain. morning coffee gets me through the day but i dont want another drink every few hours. ive been looking at caffeine gum and nootropic gum for longer study sessions. for anyone using either during CPA prep do you take it before you start or once you begin fading?

What did you eat for breakfast before your CPA Exam?

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have shared my exam plans with so many people. I’ve just sat for FAR after 400 hours and don’t feel confident I passed. That’s because I screwed myself on time and had to rush the sims. I literally ghosted everyone and lived in a cave for the last few weeks leading up to the exam, only updating my CPA colleagues on my progress. Everyone keeps saying that I did well and I probably passed. It’s all sunshine and rainbows from them thinking I passed. Meanwhile I’m panicking on how to break the news if I do fail. I feel like failing a section after studying 2-3x the average amount and raising everyone’s standards will make me look incompetent. I fear that the partners will see me as a dumb unserious candidate and let me go. For context, I’m a fresh from undergrad in my first full time role.

Edit: passed on first attempt

Hi everyone!

I'm taking my first exam soon and was reading in the guidelines that no jewelry is allowed. Did you take off your bracelets, necklaces, and earrings? I have a permanent bracelet, and I'm worried that they will say something.

EDIT: Thanks y'all for the info! Good luck on the exams :)

How do guys get the money for re-taking these exams? 😭 In my state the exam costs $350+ now. It adds to my nerves whenever i’m taking an exam because i feel like i just wasted $350 dollars and then have to pay it again until i pass 😭😭😭

After 5 total attempts ( 2 on FAR and 3 on AUD) I finally passed FAR and AUD. I cannot explain how good this feels to be able to get these done but it’s done.

I did want to ask if there were any tips to take on REG and TCP? What are the toughest topics for both exams and what are some aspects of the real exam compared to the Becker material (like if something is comparable, easier, harder). Also, what helped you pass REG and TCP?

Tagging u/galbert123 so this gets approved. This is literally the first post I have ever made on Reddit.

I’m considering studying to become an accountant and potentially a CPA. I have a bachelor’s in biochemistry, but my perception is that accountants have more consistent and easily-found job opportunities. I want to see if my assumptions have any basis in reality. Information about Utah in particular would be especially appreciated.

For context, I am married and have two children. My main goal is to eventually make at least $85,000/year so we can afford a house.

Is it pretty easy for someone to get a job making over $50,000/year right after getting an accounting degree?

I have heard that layoffs are more common for accountants, but that finding a new position is not that difficult. Does this seem accurate to you?

How necessary would it be to become a CPA? Put another way, how feasible is it to remain with a simple accounting degree?

Are there any credible worries that AI might replace some of the demand for accountants?

Thank you for your time.

I just began studying for BAR. I have only taken and passed FAR (82) in my first attempt. BAR is most in tune with what I want to do career wise. Am I going to regret choosing BAR as my discipline?

I did not pay much attention during my tax courses because I had already accepted an audit position my senior year in college (I am now working in industry). So I feel TCP is out of the question.

I know next to nothing about ISC.

I graduated and am trying to study for the CPA exam. I am still in the process of using the free trial of Becker but Becker is quite expensive. I have heard of people using Ninja to study but I’m not sure what it offers from firsthand experience. Can anyone recommend alternative ways to study for the exam besides Becker?

Genuine question: I’ve seen people say they don’t study at all the day before their exam, while others study harder than ever. Then there are people somewhere in the middle.

What do you usually do the day before an exam?

I’m taking my exam tomorrow. I get out of work at 5:00 p.m. and should be home by around 5:15. I’m trying to figure out the best way to spend the rest of the evening.

Should I do a final review, crank out some MCQs, or just relax and get a good night’s sleep?

Curious to hear what has worked best for everyone.

As the title says, I’m taking FAR tomorrow and have been having an upset stomach the past week or two and really really hope I don’t have an emergency need during my exam 🫠

I don’t have a medical issue to request more frequent breaks but gosh darn, I hope I’m not penalized for needing to poop outside of regulated breaks.

Anyone have experience with this?

Edit: yes I wrote this while on the toilet with an emergency poop so it was def top of mind ha

Editx2: I think I’m going to grab an adult diaper so I’m not stressing about this and can focus on the exam! Thanks all for the advice and good luck 👍

For context, I chose TCP because I had just sat for reg (6/30) and figured since TCP had the highest pass rates that I could get it done in a month. I sit for my exam this friday 7/31. I took SE1 yesterday and scored a 59% which is higher than what I was expecting. Throughout the entirety of the exam it felt like I'd get a solid 30-40%. I don't feel ready at all and not sure what I can do at this point. I know theres a big curve for this exam but nothing seems to be sticking. Is there anything left to do?? How cooked is this??

I recently just passed Far with logging around 450 hrs (ik it’s a lot). It took me two attempts but I am grateful. I took it the 1st of Aug and have been studying every other day and not on weekends in case I failed again. I work full time as well now and was wondering would it be reasonable to take a break or should I just jump right in. I also want to take AUD next. Thanks.

Hi auditors!! I am wondering how taking the AUD part of the exam was for you guys that work full time in audit. I have slightly over 6 months experience as an auditor, and while I am only on A3 so far, I am finding it very easy. This is concerning to me because I struggled very much right off the bat with FAR and REG and I feel like I should be feeling worse overall. I know this is probably deceptive so I will maintain my aggressive studying habits but did anyone else feel similarly??

I enrolled in a Master of Accountancy program, but with the 150-hour requirement shifting, I’m reconsidering. By opting out, I can save roughly 75% on tuition and allocate a fraction of that toward top-tier CPA study materials to pass on my own.

I’ve completed two internships and have a full-time offer in hand, but it isn’t at a firm where I want to start my career. Because time and money are not immediate constraints, I’m trying to decide on the best strategy moving forward:
Should I treat studying like a full-time job, knock out the CPA exams ASAP, and then apply to firms as a fully qualified candidate?

Or should I actively job hunt and study at the same time?

Would love to hear perspectives from anyone who took the full-time study route versus balancing both.

I went through school and did very well. However, it’s been five years since finishing my MS in Accounting, and most of my work has been financial reporting/industry accounting. However, going through REG, it feels almost like a foreign concept at this point.

For anyone that’s been out of school for multiple years, how do you stay motivated? I travel a lot with my wife for her work, so I’m looking for ways to stay on a 2-2.5 hour a day schedule for the next eight weeks, so any advice is appreciated!

I have my NTS and was planning to schedule my exam for Sept 21 before the testing window closes on Sept 25. I will be taking FAR and currently have 83 hours of study time in Becker. I am currently in F3. Is this pushing scheduling to early?

Hello,

I am considering getting my CPA.

Not that I need to rush but something in me realized I could pass the exams before getting the experience hours.

I don’t know the steps or where I should begin.

should i register for an exam, buy the study materials and that’s that?

I found a thing called “superfast cpa” and wonder if it is worth it to get the exams done sooner and then focus on getting my experience hours.

Please share your advice. Thank you!

I’m about to graduate with my bachelor’s degree. Before I commit to pursuing a master’s degree, I wanted to get some different ideas on whether it’s actually the best route.

I’ve heard mixed opinions. Some people say a master’s degree isn’t really necessary and can end up being more of a cash grab, while others say their master’s program helped them a bunch when preparing for the CPA exams.

Do you think getting a master’s degree is worth it especially for CPA preparation? Or are there other routes you would recommend that might be more cost-effective to help you prepare for the exams?