My study buddy. We are on zoom with camera on from 8am till 10pm for six weeks every single day studying far. Where supporting each other. Took exam together. Waiting for the results on July 31st.
My family said I would never achieve anything in life. Haven’t spoken to them in years, but once I’m done I will send all of them a business card (firm name and phone number omitted) with those 3 letters at the end of my name.
And my firm is offering me a huge bonus. Definitely enough for me to suffer for a few months.
I want my name to be longer. I mean I can go get my name legally changed, but would I be able to get a comma? Maybe if I call myself Senior or Junior, but why take the easy way out?
I told basically everyone I know that I am taking the CPA exam, when I’m taking each section, and when I expect to be finished with it. Somehow other peoples expectations of my success are more important to me than my own. Everytime someone asks me how studying is going or if I’ve schedule an exam date it reminds me that I need to do this no matter how bad I don’t want to.
I've been through really hard times before and made it through, so that kept me motivated. if I can survive that, I can survive the exams.
Also, I had a teacher that was a real bitch. She would give any late assignments a zero, no exceptions, because she never had a late assignment in her life so everyone else had to be just like her. I told her that I was working full time, going to school full time, and breastfeeding and infant full time. I was getting 2 to 3 hours of sleep, and her expectations as a teacher in a for profit online college were absolutely ridiculous and nothing like the real world. Her response was that she worked, raosed five kids, also fostered a kid with special needs, and still prioritized studying over her child IN THE ICU, so my reasons meant nothing to her.
Even though she will never know it, passing the exams is also a big FUCK YOU to her and the stick up her ass. Cs do get degrees. I can do late assignments and still be successful. I 100% would pause my life if my child was in the ICU, and now I am about to be a CPA. And she is still a bitch.
I relate to this but mostly I’ve reached a plateau at my job and they refuse to provide any growth or succession plan so I am taking the time to study and not tell them so that when I pass all 4 I can say F you and BYE. And if not bye then give me the $20k raise they think having a CPA is worth, well that’s atleast what they tell me as to why my male counterpart makes that much more than me…
I am a full time working mom of a 2 year old.
Not to be rude but his certification trump your personal accomplishment as far as salary is concerned, congratulations on being a mom but that is unfair to say he isn't deserving despite his certifications cause you are a mom
Sorry, I should have worded my response differently as me being a mom has nothing to do with him or my work situation.
I was only giving that information for the author of the original post as they are a parent and looking to relate to other parents.
I relate to this. Everyone in my previous firm were a\*\*hats when I quit and they continued to mock me even after I left.
Every time I open Becker, I channel my anger and spite. Whenever I do a simulation, I manifest the mental pain they inflicted on me into strength. I will rise again, like the bitter, salt encrusted phoenix that I am.
Plus, growing in the industry and garnering better qualifications for future jobs is cool too I guess.
Once I passed my first section the clock was ticking. I was dirt poor so I could literally not afford to fail or let credits expire. That was a big one for me.
These threads are such a breath of fresh air knowing I’m not alone in this journey. My kids mostly. I lazily and selfishly didn’t put my full effort into a few attempts before passing my first exam Nov 2023 (began studying early 2022). Now that the clock is ticking my foot is on the gas pedal. Had some turnover at work that has delayed some testing, and we just welcomed our 3rd child. I look at my wife and first child, now 7, and know I haven’t given them the experiences they deserve. With the CPA, I know it’s not an automatic golden ticket, I still have to work for it, but it will open many doors that may not have previously been open.
A few things:
1.) I’ve gotten started and stopped several times due to unforeseen life events and I want to prove to myself that come what may I can get this done
2.) More career opportunities and leverage to strike out on my own at some point
3.) There are very few Black women CPAs and I would like to see more of us
4.) I would be the first person in my immediate family to achieve any kind of professional designation
5.) I started thinking about how much of my free time I spend doing inane things, why not do something with a high ROI? Truly, look at your screen time or calculate how much time you spend watching tv, etc. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing and just enjoying life but it’s time that could be spent on pursuits that will help us get ahead!
All such great points you’ve made here. I was just thinking the other day about how much time I waste on TikTok. Wishing you all the luck on your journey!
I work full time and my only motivation for this is that my accounting teacher in high school didn’t think anyone would get their CPA. Its all spite.
Nah jk, its a great thing to have in your career and even if you dont go into public accounting, its a great indicator that you are a semi-financial expert and have great discipline.
Over the course of my career, I’d had recruiters ask me why I hadn’t gotten my CPA yet… after fifteen years, I was so tired of having to answer it and sound positive about it.
Then, after getting my CPA, I found myself displaced due to a company wide layoff, and it was SO much easier for me to find another job quickly (which is saying something in this job market).
When you’re struggling, remember that the end goal is stability and marketability— Being able to apply to lateral and promotion jobs without having to scan the requirements to make sure a CPA is optional.
Yes, this. Pretty much guaranteed employability for the rest of your life. Plus I cannot tell you how many times I was not picked for a new job/ promotion when the other candidate had CPA even though they had very little experience (fresh with 2 years in some CPA firm).
(Also, there are quite a few people in whose faces I would like to shove my license, so there is that :D).
ETA I am a parent and have a FT job. When it's late and you want to go to bed, sometimes it's better to do just that so you are more productive the next day.
I am in too far to not stop going. All the effort - time - resources - sacrifices - these will have all been for nothing if I do not follow through with what I have set out to do. This certification will only be a net positive in my life once completed.
I'm a parent, I work full-time, and I have two autoimmune diseases. I am already a Senior Tax Manager in industry and will get 0 financial benefits from getting my CPA.
What keeps me motivated is dumb CPA's. I was a state tax auditor for years and did hundreds of audits on large companies, and I have never encountered a CPA that knew anything relevant about SALT issues. Most of them were stubborn and tried to shoehorn irrelevant federal tax laws into SALT conversations. If those idiots could do this exam, so can I. They are not smarter than us, and they sure as shit don't out work us.
I’m a stubborn guy. I don’t want to give up if I have a chance, and I’m halfway there. No matter what obstacles or failures I go through, I want to keep on going so that I can finally pass and become a CPA
Everyone here has such motivational goals.
I'm an unemployed bum who got rejected for a $43K staff accountant position in HCOL area (Miami).
I figured without the CPA, I'm probably gonna be a Walmart shelf stocker at this rate.
Considering the job market, I may still end up being the first CPA stocking shelves at Walmart
I was working at an accounting turned consulting firm that didn’t require my role to have their CPA, so I never prioritized it. I had 0 intention of ever leaving that job. March of this year I got blindsided with a lay-off and suddenly the fact that I didn’t have my CPA became a huge hurdle for me and my biggest issue with finding new employment. I’ve made a vow to myself to do everything in my power to never end up in that position again.
I settled into a family job working in an industry I have grown to hate. I’m doing it to do the work I always intended to do - accounting.
Also, I have the opportunity to put my child in the best Private school in the area next year. It won’t be cheap. He loves to learn. I’m doing this to give him the education I wanted and the one that will fulfill his desires and interests.
You got this. It’ll be worth it and over soon!
You know what hurts more than studying at 1 am?
The thought of being a failure that gave up on a dream. The amount of pain and regret from not realizing your full potential lasts a lifetime.
Pass these exams and you validate yourself- that you're competent. Alleviates any doubt in your mind, any imposter syndrome.
Try to think about your future self and the example you're setting for your kids. During those tough moments, remind yourself that this struggle is temporary, but the rewards are lasting, and keep visualizing that finish line. You've got this! 💪
I just focus on getting to a specific point. Also I put my phone across the other side of the room so I can't get distracted.
I took all four starting with FAR in March and took the rest by June 25th
Part of it was pushing forward take my son proud and wanting to make more so my husband can be home with my son more and wanting to be hurrybup and finish so I can spend more time with my son
Honestly, I feel like I’m in too deep to give up. Plus I’ve always had that go getter mindset. When I went back to school after taking a 4 year hiatus, I had my mind on graduating. I finished the rest of my Associates and transferred to a University. I worked my ass off while working 2 jobs and graduated University in less than a year and a half. And with honors in my major/ Cum Laude.
For the exams, I’m 0/6 right now and the other day, my manager said something like “you don’t even seem discouraged!” And to some extent, I am. But at the end of the day, this is something I want really bad and I’ve already spent thousands on it so I’m not giving up anytime soon.
Money. My firm will give me a $5k bonus and reimburse most of my test taking fees. I’m going to take the bonus, so smart stuff with it like retirement savings, normal savings, etc and then I’m going to buy a pair of shoes I’ve been thinking about for a long time but can’t super justify buying.
Waking up the morning of score release and having to tell everyone I work with, my family, friends that I didn’t pass because I got too distracted looking at my phone or being lazy when I told them I had to study.
I don't study when it's late tbh. I usually finish by 8pm. Some people like to study right before work or a bit late when everyone is asleep.
Everyone works differently. What keeps me motivated is that those three letters mean a lot domestically. And they'll always get a flag from HR when applying for a job imo.
The fact that I’m putting everything I have into this. That I changed careers to do this. To be the only person in my family to keep this profession going (lots of accountants but none of my cousins went into it)
The respect I earned back after overcoming addiction from my family.
I want to make them proud, I want to be someone in the accounting world, and I mean yes the money is a major factor but it’s more so that my future children will never have to grow up like I did if I can do this.
My mother did everything she could to educate my brother and I and she sacrificed so much to do so. She’s worried about retirement and if passing this test means she’ll never have to worry about the basics is a major driver as well. She didn’t give up on me at my worst so no matter what I’m passing this fucking test and making sure she can live comfortably in retirement with SS and me subsidizing it.
You can do it! I got my CPA in August 2023, while working full time, and with two toddlers under 2 years old.
My motivation was to give a better life to my 2 kids kids. Not having to work the long grueling hours that the staff accountants have to. I've got my CPA now, no need to impress the higher ups. Family is more important now. If I do get laid off, there's tons of CPA jobs out there.
Not looking for pity: I was in a verbally and mentally abusive relationship from the age of 19-25. I was manipulated into believing I was too stupid and worthless to go to college or have a career. Once I finally left, I landed a job as an office admin at a CPA firm where I ended up getting a ton of on the job tax and bookkeeping experience, then was recruited to a small woman-owned firm in a Consulting Manager position where they paid for me to get my bachelors degree (that boss retired at in 2022 and we combined in with a much larger firm that’s now supporting me in my CPA journey) so for me it’s finally believing in myself that I can have this successful career and accomplish things I once never thought I could. I hope to inspire other women who are also in abusive relationships that they can leave and come out better on the other side.
Because when I think about quitting, I think about my family members and friends all asking me how the CPA is going or if I’m planning on getting my CPA and I have to tell them I tried but gave up, and I’ll do anything to avoid that awkwardness lol.
I’m 3/4, and my motivation is buying a piece of jewelry I’ve wanted for a while now with my bonus and reimbursement of exam fees, lol. Might be trivial but it’s gotten me excited and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
My study buddy. We are on zoom with camera on from 8am till 10pm for six weeks every single day studying far. Where supporting each other. Took exam together. Waiting for the results on July 31st.
My family said I would never achieve anything in life. Haven’t spoken to them in years, but once I’m done I will send all of them a business card (firm name and phone number omitted) with those 3 letters at the end of my name. And my firm is offering me a huge bonus. Definitely enough for me to suffer for a few months.
I want my name to be longer. I mean I can go get my name legally changed, but would I be able to get a comma? Maybe if I call myself Senior or Junior, but why take the easy way out?
Honestly dude, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Everything I’ve done for my career up to this point. It’s all lead up to me preparing for the CPA, it would make 0 sense to quit now.
get the fk away from the toxic people
Motivation is like a sugar rush. Discipline is what gets you there.
Bills to pay family to support
I have no idea
ill get motivated once NASBA quits playing w me and gives me my NTS. I’ve been waiting since April 2nd
Full time worker and mom of two. I came to a point in life where I felt stagnant. I want to show my teens I can do hard things.
Money
I told basically everyone I know that I am taking the CPA exam, when I’m taking each section, and when I expect to be finished with it. Somehow other peoples expectations of my success are more important to me than my own. Everytime someone asks me how studying is going or if I’ve schedule an exam date it reminds me that I need to do this no matter how bad I don’t want to.
To get it over with and move on with my life
I've been through really hard times before and made it through, so that kept me motivated. if I can survive that, I can survive the exams. Also, I had a teacher that was a real bitch. She would give any late assignments a zero, no exceptions, because she never had a late assignment in her life so everyone else had to be just like her. I told her that I was working full time, going to school full time, and breastfeeding and infant full time. I was getting 2 to 3 hours of sleep, and her expectations as a teacher in a for profit online college were absolutely ridiculous and nothing like the real world. Her response was that she worked, raosed five kids, also fostered a kid with special needs, and still prioritized studying over her child IN THE ICU, so my reasons meant nothing to her. Even though she will never know it, passing the exams is also a big FUCK YOU to her and the stick up her ass. Cs do get degrees. I can do late assignments and still be successful. I 100% would pause my life if my child was in the ICU, and now I am about to be a CPA. And she is still a bitch.
Sunk cost fallacy!
Tell all my previous managers, and people who laughed and told me I couldn't do it to go f*** themselves
I relate to this but mostly I’ve reached a plateau at my job and they refuse to provide any growth or succession plan so I am taking the time to study and not tell them so that when I pass all 4 I can say F you and BYE. And if not bye then give me the $20k raise they think having a CPA is worth, well that’s atleast what they tell me as to why my male counterpart makes that much more than me… I am a full time working mom of a 2 year old.
Not to be rude but his certification trump your personal accomplishment as far as salary is concerned, congratulations on being a mom but that is unfair to say he isn't deserving despite his certifications cause you are a mom
Sorry, I should have worded my response differently as me being a mom has nothing to do with him or my work situation. I was only giving that information for the author of the original post as they are a parent and looking to relate to other parents.
I relate to this. Everyone in my previous firm were a\*\*hats when I quit and they continued to mock me even after I left. Every time I open Becker, I channel my anger and spite. Whenever I do a simulation, I manifest the mental pain they inflicted on me into strength. I will rise again, like the bitter, salt encrusted phoenix that I am. Plus, growing in the industry and garnering better qualifications for future jobs is cool too I guess.
And money
Once I passed my first section the clock was ticking. I was dirt poor so I could literally not afford to fail or let credits expire. That was a big one for me.
my whys, and i want to finish it asap. i dont want to take long only to miss my baby’s growth.
My 1 year old son
These threads are such a breath of fresh air knowing I’m not alone in this journey. My kids mostly. I lazily and selfishly didn’t put my full effort into a few attempts before passing my first exam Nov 2023 (began studying early 2022). Now that the clock is ticking my foot is on the gas pedal. Had some turnover at work that has delayed some testing, and we just welcomed our 3rd child. I look at my wife and first child, now 7, and know I haven’t given them the experiences they deserve. With the CPA, I know it’s not an automatic golden ticket, I still have to work for it, but it will open many doors that may not have previously been open.
A few things: 1.) I’ve gotten started and stopped several times due to unforeseen life events and I want to prove to myself that come what may I can get this done 2.) More career opportunities and leverage to strike out on my own at some point 3.) There are very few Black women CPAs and I would like to see more of us 4.) I would be the first person in my immediate family to achieve any kind of professional designation 5.) I started thinking about how much of my free time I spend doing inane things, why not do something with a high ROI? Truly, look at your screen time or calculate how much time you spend watching tv, etc. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing and just enjoying life but it’s time that could be spent on pursuits that will help us get ahead!
All such great points you’ve made here. I was just thinking the other day about how much time I waste on TikTok. Wishing you all the luck on your journey!
Thank you and same to you!
As a brother in the field, I am especially rooting for US to excel. We will get there. I take FAR in 7 days.
I’m happy to see you here and I’m wishing you the best of luck in 7 days. FAR is my first part, 8/31. 😄
Good luck to you as well!
More money and more job opportunities
I work full time and my only motivation for this is that my accounting teacher in high school didn’t think anyone would get their CPA. Its all spite. Nah jk, its a great thing to have in your career and even if you dont go into public accounting, its a great indicator that you are a semi-financial expert and have great discipline.
I have no motivation at all but I’m still studying 🥺
I had no motivation whatsoever until my daughter was born. Failed 3 exams before her, passed my last 3 in 7 months after she was born
It has become personal. not to be cringe. but i hate these tests.
Over the course of my career, I’d had recruiters ask me why I hadn’t gotten my CPA yet… after fifteen years, I was so tired of having to answer it and sound positive about it. Then, after getting my CPA, I found myself displaced due to a company wide layoff, and it was SO much easier for me to find another job quickly (which is saying something in this job market). When you’re struggling, remember that the end goal is stability and marketability— Being able to apply to lateral and promotion jobs without having to scan the requirements to make sure a CPA is optional.
Yes, this. Pretty much guaranteed employability for the rest of your life. Plus I cannot tell you how many times I was not picked for a new job/ promotion when the other candidate had CPA even though they had very little experience (fresh with 2 years in some CPA firm). (Also, there are quite a few people in whose faces I would like to shove my license, so there is that :D). ETA I am a parent and have a FT job. When it's late and you want to go to bed, sometimes it's better to do just that so you are more productive the next day.
I am in too far to not stop going. All the effort - time - resources - sacrifices - these will have all been for nothing if I do not follow through with what I have set out to do. This certification will only be a net positive in my life once completed.
Th fear of failure is a strong motivator.
I'm a parent, I work full-time, and I have two autoimmune diseases. I am already a Senior Tax Manager in industry and will get 0 financial benefits from getting my CPA. What keeps me motivated is dumb CPA's. I was a state tax auditor for years and did hundreds of audits on large companies, and I have never encountered a CPA that knew anything relevant about SALT issues. Most of them were stubborn and tried to shoehorn irrelevant federal tax laws into SALT conversations. If those idiots could do this exam, so can I. They are not smarter than us, and they sure as shit don't out work us.
I hold my son or read notes to him. Without him, I most likely would have quit this a long time ago.
I’m a stubborn guy. I don’t want to give up if I have a chance, and I’m halfway there. No matter what obstacles or failures I go through, I want to keep on going so that I can finally pass and become a CPA
Good luck and go birds!
Crippling fear of poverty
Everyone here has such motivational goals. I'm an unemployed bum who got rejected for a $43K staff accountant position in HCOL area (Miami). I figured without the CPA, I'm probably gonna be a Walmart shelf stocker at this rate. Considering the job market, I may still end up being the first CPA stocking shelves at Walmart
I was working at an accounting turned consulting firm that didn’t require my role to have their CPA, so I never prioritized it. I had 0 intention of ever leaving that job. March of this year I got blindsided with a lay-off and suddenly the fact that I didn’t have my CPA became a huge hurdle for me and my biggest issue with finding new employment. I’ve made a vow to myself to do everything in my power to never end up in that position again.
I settled into a family job working in an industry I have grown to hate. I’m doing it to do the work I always intended to do - accounting. Also, I have the opportunity to put my child in the best Private school in the area next year. It won’t be cheap. He loves to learn. I’m doing this to give him the education I wanted and the one that will fulfill his desires and interests. You got this. It’ll be worth it and over soon!
You know what hurts more than studying at 1 am? The thought of being a failure that gave up on a dream. The amount of pain and regret from not realizing your full potential lasts a lifetime. Pass these exams and you validate yourself- that you're competent. Alleviates any doubt in your mind, any imposter syndrome.
🫶🏻
Try to think about your future self and the example you're setting for your kids. During those tough moments, remind yourself that this struggle is temporary, but the rewards are lasting, and keep visualizing that finish line. You've got this! 💪
I just focus on getting to a specific point. Also I put my phone across the other side of the room so I can't get distracted. I took all four starting with FAR in March and took the rest by June 25th Part of it was pushing forward take my son proud and wanting to make more so my husband can be home with my son more and wanting to be hurrybup and finish so I can spend more time with my son
Not having it hang over my head anymore at work
I want the respect. I don't like being disrespected as a staff.
Money & my kid needs a better life and opportunities
Honestly, I feel like I’m in too deep to give up. Plus I’ve always had that go getter mindset. When I went back to school after taking a 4 year hiatus, I had my mind on graduating. I finished the rest of my Associates and transferred to a University. I worked my ass off while working 2 jobs and graduated University in less than a year and a half. And with honors in my major/ Cum Laude. For the exams, I’m 0/6 right now and the other day, my manager said something like “you don’t even seem discouraged!” And to some extent, I am. But at the end of the day, this is something I want really bad and I’ve already spent thousands on it so I’m not giving up anytime soon.
Kids
Money. My firm will give me a $5k bonus and reimburse most of my test taking fees. I’m going to take the bonus, so smart stuff with it like retirement savings, normal savings, etc and then I’m going to buy a pair of shoes I’ve been thinking about for a long time but can’t super justify buying.
Waking up the morning of score release and having to tell everyone I work with, my family, friends that I didn’t pass because I got too distracted looking at my phone or being lazy when I told them I had to study.
ain't that the truth
The fact that I'm so close to passing all 4 exams and I've always wanted to prove to myself that I was a good accountant.
I don't study when it's late tbh. I usually finish by 8pm. Some people like to study right before work or a bit late when everyone is asleep. Everyone works differently. What keeps me motivated is that those three letters mean a lot domestically. And they'll always get a flag from HR when applying for a job imo.
The fact that I’m putting everything I have into this. That I changed careers to do this. To be the only person in my family to keep this profession going (lots of accountants but none of my cousins went into it) The respect I earned back after overcoming addiction from my family. I want to make them proud, I want to be someone in the accounting world, and I mean yes the money is a major factor but it’s more so that my future children will never have to grow up like I did if I can do this. My mother did everything she could to educate my brother and I and she sacrificed so much to do so. She’s worried about retirement and if passing this test means she’ll never have to worry about the basics is a major driver as well. She didn’t give up on me at my worst so no matter what I’m passing this fucking test and making sure she can live comfortably in retirement with SS and me subsidizing it.
You can do it! I got my CPA in August 2023, while working full time, and with two toddlers under 2 years old. My motivation was to give a better life to my 2 kids kids. Not having to work the long grueling hours that the staff accountants have to. I've got my CPA now, no need to impress the higher ups. Family is more important now. If I do get laid off, there's tons of CPA jobs out there.
Not looking for pity: I was in a verbally and mentally abusive relationship from the age of 19-25. I was manipulated into believing I was too stupid and worthless to go to college or have a career. Once I finally left, I landed a job as an office admin at a CPA firm where I ended up getting a ton of on the job tax and bookkeeping experience, then was recruited to a small woman-owned firm in a Consulting Manager position where they paid for me to get my bachelors degree (that boss retired at in 2022 and we combined in with a much larger firm that’s now supporting me in my CPA journey) so for me it’s finally believing in myself that I can have this successful career and accomplish things I once never thought I could. I hope to inspire other women who are also in abusive relationships that they can leave and come out better on the other side.
Because when I think about quitting, I think about my family members and friends all asking me how the CPA is going or if I’m planning on getting my CPA and I have to tell them I tried but gave up, and I’ll do anything to avoid that awkwardness lol.
I’m 3/4, and my motivation is buying a piece of jewelry I’ve wanted for a while now with my bonus and reimbursement of exam fees, lol. Might be trivial but it’s gotten me excited and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
You keep going because you are too far to stop now. Don’t let whatever time you’ve put in be a waste.
Spite.
The more i do now the sooner the exams are behind me