I'm a CPA

I don't even know where to start.

I always dreamt about what my victory post would say. I just knew that I would have the right words to describe what I was feeling, however 3 days after getting my results I'm still speechless.

The reality is that I, ( me SAS) is a CPA ( well technically not until I submit paperwork ( but soon).

Let me just start off by saying that I must have checked for my results 20 times in a 18 hour period. On Thursday December 8th I learned my fate. And it was all good.
I passed Audit with a 86. All of my hard work was evident. The fact that I used my two week vacation to study rather than sit on a beach paid off. This gift of passing all 4 parts of the CPA in 18 months was finally coming true.

I remember while in undergrad I NEVER thought I would be able to be a CPA. I just felt like I was not strong enough in accounting to do it. I remember my professors encouraging us to go after the prestigious CPA however they made sure to mention that only the strong survive. And me, oh I just knew at that time I didn't have the dedication or ability to get it done. Now that may sound crazy, or possibly like I had little faith in myself but it was just that at that time in my life I just felt very average.

It wasn't until months after getting my MBA that I decided to pursue my CPA. While applying I realized that I was short 6 accounting credits. Taking more classes was the LAST thing I wanted to do, but I did.

I started my actual journey on April 9, 2010 with BEC which I subsequently failed. It took me 4 times to pass BEC and twice for REG.

In 2010 I had not passed a single part. I wasn't as dedicated as I was in 2011. In 2011 I made a promise to myself and to GOD that I would pass at least 3 parts. I told myself that my priorities were to be a CPA and that's it.

This journey made me believe in myself. Even when I was putting together my application I still was unsure that I could do this. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't pass and that I would become a professional test taker.

It wasn't until I passed my first part in Feb 2011(REG) that I felt like I had a shot at all.

The crazy thing that amazes me is that ever since I made the CPA my priority I didn't fail one part in 2011. I passed them all on the first shot. 2011 was like my new beginning.

This journey broke me down and built me up. I remember early mornings and late nights crying due to frustration. I remember asking myself why am I putting myself through this. I remember countless nights coming home to just me and my books and dinner. There were so many missed outings, parties, and vacations. There were times I would cry to my boyfriend about how I just wanted to give up. However I ALWAYS had that support from him and my family to keep going.

It is so important to have a good support system. If you have just one person that's enough. Even if it is your dog, you need something.

If there's one thing I learned, it was to fight. Fight like your life depended on it. Once you embark on this journey its no sink or swim, its swim or swim harder, there's no sinking.

Your going to have to give up something. That's a given. I definitely have fewer friends now. Some felt like I was brushing them off and they didn't understand, and some got tired of me saying that I had to decline. Now don't get me wrong I wasn't an absolute prude, but my outside activities were cut down by 85%.

Roger CPA review was a huge factor in me passing my last two parts. I felt prepared when going in for Audit. Besides normal test anxiety I felt at ease.

Passing the CPA is something that can never be taken away. The respect that is received is priceless. The feeling of accomplishment that I feel has no words. I can’t even tell you what it feels like, I think its just better for each person to experience the
feeling.

This journey took me 18 months, and I can say I wouldn’t change a thing. Some people pass in 6 months and for others it takes longer. In these 18 months I’ve learned how strong I am. I may have bad days but I still got it done. I may have had personal obstacles but I still hit the books. I may have failed 5 in a row (yes 5 in a row) but I still had that one ounce in me to say keep going.
I
have met so many great people during this journey. Some who I can say will be my life long friends. I’m so happy I stuck it through and didn’t give up. I’m just so happy and blessed to start this new chapter in my life as a Certified Public Accountant.