Stacey is a NINJA CPA blogger.

With New Year Resolutions the thoughts of the month, I'm sure we all want to put “Complete my CPA Certification” near the top of the 2017 list.

It certainly is on my list. Now I'm going to let others know it's on my list too. I need to make major improvements in my accountability areas this next year.

Work has been my major focus the last three months with a new boss and first-hand experience of a coworker committing fraud. I couldn't control that. But I am the one choosing not to make the best use of my time when at work.

I blamed family, mostly my spouse, for taking up too much of my time. I didn't want to say “no” to quality time. Later I would think about the studying I should have done.

If I don't show or tell my husband I want to study, how can I expect him push me to study more? If I want people to hold me accountable, I need to talk to them about studying as if it's my favorite pastime.

I am thankful for the NINJA family keeping us all on our toes and constantly thinking about the tests and the topics. I'm thankful to have the support of family and friends. I am ready to allow them to hold me accountable.

2017 will be the year of passing the CPA Exam! It is time.