CPA Exam Blog - Latest Comments in Keep Moving Forward

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:42:40 -0000

Jeff.

Thanks for letting me know this from your experience.

Jack

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:42:40 -0000

Jeff.

Thanks for letting me know this from your experience.

Jack

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:35:14 -0000

Jeff.

Thanks for letting me know this from your experience.

Jack

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:35:14 -0000

Jeff.

Thanks for letting me know this from your experience.

Jack

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jeff @ another71.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:42:13 -0000

Jack,

Surely there's some publicly traded company that you can work for?? They
don't even care about you having a *license* in industry - all that matters
is the fact that you passed the Exam - that's it.

Sorry to hear about your circumstances, but I'm licensed and it doesn't mean
a thing since I don't work in public accounting.

Besides - public accounting pays less than industry usually...I would steer
in that direction. People who go public soon look to flock to industry
anyway, right?

-Jeff

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jeff @ another71.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:42:13 -0000

Jack,

Surely there's some publicly traded company that you can work for?? They
don't even care about you having a *license* in industry - all that matters
is the fact that you passed the Exam - that's it.

Sorry to hear about your circumstances, but I'm licensed and it doesn't mean
a thing since I don't work in public accounting.

Besides - public accounting pays less than industry usually...I would steer
in that direction. People who go public soon look to flock to industry
anyway, right?

-Jeff

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jeff @ another71.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:42:13 -0000

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:53:02 -0000

Be careful not to make this mistake:

Wanting more money, in 2003 I returned to school to complete my education, left unfinished, after 20 years of working at the more routine levels of accounting.

I earned my BA, then MS Tax (05/09), and passed the CPA exam (06/09). BTW, for me, Becker was THE only reason for passing on first sitting.

Now satisfying the one year experience requirement is all I have left for licensure; but. I can't get a job working for a CPA because of two misdemeanor driving under the influence convictions one in 1975, the other in 1979. I have had no other criminal problems since then.

A little background here: my last jobs were in California, but I had to move back to Louisiana due to my parents getting older. In California, it's against the law to ask about convictions over 7 years, and, in any case, 99% of companies only ask about felonies.

I did not even consider the possibility that in Louisiana, the majority of companies can and do ask about any conviction other than a minor traffic violation. (Though, oddly enough, the Louisiana CPA state licensing board only asks about felonies.) Also Louisiana, unlike many other states, does not allow ANY convictions to be expunged.

I've taken out six years, working part-time in a bookkeeping job where the employer didn't ask about such things as misdemeanor arrests. Run up $100K in student loans and lost considerable income that I could have earned over those six years if I had been working full-time.

The end result of this is that all CPA firms and most of the industry positions hiring CPA's do ask about ANY conviction. Of course, I will not lie on the employment applications and accordingly have listed these two convictions. Three CPA firms turned me down flatly stating that one DUI is tolerable, but two is indicative of deeper problems. Two great companies, who initially were enthusiastic about talking to me, refused to return any calls after I filled out the applications.

So with a great job history, references, education AND having passed the CPA exam (NASBA conducts a thorough felony criminal background check, which I obviously passed, before allowing a candidate to sit for the exam), I can't get my license because no company wants to take on someone with two DUI convictions, even from over thirty years ago.

Had I even considered the possibility of these two misdemeanor DUI convictions, preventing me from obtaining employment, I would have gone back to California.

And finally, I really feel like dying, because dredging my long forgotten criminal past has been the ultimate in humiliation. I now feel like a total sociopath and my self-esteem has reached lows I could have never imagined.

I realize that 95% of CPA candidates won't have this to deal with, but for those who do, plan accordingly.

JRM

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jack_nola — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:53:02 -0000

Be careful not to make this mistake:

Wanting more money, in 2003 I returned to school to complete my education, left unfinished, after 20 years of working at the more routine levels of accounting.
I earned my BA, then MS Tax (05/09), and passed the CPA exam (06/09). BTW, for me, Becker was THE only reason for passing on first sitting.
Now satisfying the one year experience requirement is all I have left for licensure; but. I can't get a job working for a CPA because of two misdemeanors driving under the influence convictions one in 1975, the other in 1979.
A little background here: my last jobs were in California, but I had to move back to Louisiana due to parents getting older. In California, it's against the law to ask about convictions over 7 years, and, in any case, 99% of companies only ask about felonies.
I did not even consider the possibility that in Louisiana, the majority of companies can and do ask about any conviction other than a minor traffic violation. (Though, oddly enough, the Louisiana CPA state licensing board only asks about felonies.) Also Louisiana, unlike many other states, does not allow ANY convictions to be expunged.
I've taken out six years, working part-time in a bookkeeping job where the employer didn't ask about such things as misdemeanor arrests. Run up $100K in student loans and lost considerable income that I could have earned over those six years if I had been working full-time.
The end result of this is that all CPA firms and most of the industry positions hiring CPA's do ask about ANY conviction. Of course, I will not lie on the employment applications and accordingly have listed these two convictions. Three CPA firms turned me down flatly stating that one DUI is tolerable, but two is indicative of deeper problems. Two great companies, who initially were enthusiastic about talking to me, refused to return any calls after I filled out the applications.
So with a great job history, references, education AND having passed the CPA exam (NASBA conducts a thorough felony criminal background check, which I obviously passed, before allowing a candidate to sit for the exam), I can't get my license because no company wants to take on some with two DUI convictions, even from over thirty years ago.
Had I even considered the possibility of these two misdemeanor DUI convictions, preventing me from obtaining employment, I would have gone back to California.
And finally, I really feel like dying, because dredging my long forgotten criminal past has been the ultimate in humiliation. I now feel like a total sociopath and my self-esteem has reached lows I could have never imagined.
I realize that 95% of CPA candidates won't have this to deal with, but for those who do, plan accordingly.
JRM

Re: Keep Moving Forward

nycegurl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:32:01 -0000

Thank you so much for your message. This round, I was SURE I passed Audit, only to find out I got the dreaded 71, AGAIN! I am so thankful I was directed to your website. You have given me a little hope so that I keep moving forward towards the ultimate goal to have those 3 letters by my name. THANK YOU!!!

Re: Keep Moving Forward

nycegurl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:32:01 -0000

Re: Keep Moving Forward

helpme — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:21:39 -0000

I am totally encouraged from the message you posted. I am a product of this stressful test also. I recently taken BEC (last part) only to realize I made a 72. It was my last part of the exam to becoming a CPA and also until I lost my first part I had a credit for (AUD). Needless to say I lost my AUD credit. So now I am back to getting my credit back for AUD and taking BEC over again (5th time). I was currently using Becker for all four parts but now I am reguessing if that review material is what I need to pass BEC. I did all of the required homework and lectures, and it DID NOT pay off. I need some suggestions on what else is out there for BEC. I have to pass this part before all my hope and confidence goes out of the window.

Re: Keep Moving Forward

helpme — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:21:39 -0000

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jeff @ another71.com — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:39:14 -0000

Excellent, Jose - keep in touch!

-Jeff

Re: Keep Moving Forward

joserivera — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:07:56 -0000

I read this massage an you are 120% right,is realy frustrate and painfull to get a 72,73 score after you spend so many hours practice m/c question.Hi jeff I am from puerto rico and man you really inspire me to get the books back and do not gave up. thank, you have another friend in this island.

Re: Keep Moving Forward

another71 — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:39:14 -0000

Excellent, Jose - keep in touch!

-Jeff

Re: Keep Moving Forward

joserivera — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:07:56 -0000

Re: Keep Moving Forward

Frustrated — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:56:41 -0000

I just found out I failed Reg with a 74 (that was the third try and my last part!). I was thinking about trying the Yaeger Cram CDs. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with them compared to Becker? I tried to access the Yager site because I wanted to watch a sample of the CD but it doesn't seem to be working. Any insight would be helpful

Re: Keep Moving Forward

qfyrhmip — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:42:48 -0000

PEf06E dmplkvpztiwx, [url=http://sqvgqprieyso.com/]sqvgqprieyso[/url], [link=http://pkmmmywyzleo.com/]pkmmmywyzleo[/link], http://eavgftsikkvf.com/

Re: Keep Moving Forward

jwelmel — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:08:29 -0000

Hi Jeff,

Everytime i lose my inspiration and confidence i look at ur website and it does help me.Keep up ur good wrk.Hope to complete all the papers and post the story on ur website...!!!!

Re: Keep Moving Forward

kushal — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:29:36 -0000

i am from india a student of C.A. the indian counterpart of CPA and have finals to go for C.A. next year... and currently in the states for cpa exams
you know i took my BEC test this month on the 8th and i saw the score which was 67 and i was so disheartened and demotivated and frustrated and distorted,
i have AUD comin up this wednesday and REG on the 30th
i had seriously lost all motivation to study for these
but this forum and especially this particular incident has really pepped me up to get back to studies and kick exam's A$$....
hah!
I CAN AND I WILL....!
god bless you all and good luck for your future endeavors!

Re: Keep Moving Forward

SaraG — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:21:29 -0000

I read these posts of people taking some parts for 3rd, 4th , 5th times. I really respect your "don't give up" attitude. I just received my BEC score today, got a 74, I already feel like perhaps CPA is not for me. Please advice how do I feel upbeat or not, but have the strength to open the books again. Thank you.

Re: Keep Moving Forward

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:25:00 -0000

I have not taken any section of the CPA exam. I am currently taking corporate taxation and will enroll in the Becker course before the summer. I often worry about the exam. Your blog motivates me to go forward with my goal to become a CPA. Reading the experiences of others help me understand the magnitude of the test. How many hours have you all put in preparing for each portion?

Re: Keep Moving Forward

Square Peg-Round Hole — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:07:00 -0000

I am so glad I came across your blog. I am feeling a little defeated at the moment after having passed BEC, REG and AUD on the first try and finding out (today) that I failed FAR for the 5th time! Even better?!- my BEC score expired on 1/31/09. So now I have to pass FAR and BEC before 4/30/09, which is when my REG score expires.

I just feel like I have been taking these stupid exams FOREVER, and it irritates me at the breadth of knowledge they expect us to know (memorize). In real life, we are allowed to access resources on topics we have not mastered. It is just unnecessary and (obviously) I am VERY frusterated. And the evil communists at NASBA are profiting from my failure.....

Sorry for the rant.....

Re: Keep Moving Forward

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:57:00 -0000

I'm in California and have been taking the exam since 2005. I've now taken AUD 4 times and got 69, 68, 65 and again another 69 my last try which was on 2/9/09. I had taken AUD in Nov 2008 when I paid for all 4 parts (have taken the other 3 parts 3 times and not passed any yet) at once. So because AUD was fresh in my mind from Nov, I decided to re-apply and that's why I took it again in Feb. But I still didn't pass so now I am torn between applying again for AUD and maybe giving it another shot for the next window OR moving forward and studying for my remaining 3 parts which I need to take before July 09 (my 9 month window). Can anyone provide suggestions? I have a friend that is taking one part at a time, she fails and she re-applies and takes it again and she just passed AUD. My other friend says to move forward and study the for the upcoming parts. I am just so tired of it all, losing motivation and can't even focus. I took Roger Philipp back in 2005 and haven't taken a live/online course since. I am now relying solely on the 2009 Wiley books, which I think were very helpful with AUD. I just can't decide what to do. Help!