Since I decided to switch careers to Accounting six years ago, I have either been in school or studying for the CPA exam. That all ended today when I got my last passing score on Regulation.

When I saw it at work, I muffled a tiny squeal, and then I ran to my father’s office and hugged him so tight. My tears of happiness turned into sobs and he was literally holding me up. The burden was lifted.

Ever since I walked out of Prometric last month, I have been planning my restudy strategy because I was convinced I had failed. The simulations were a nightmare.

How could I prepare for them next time? I would order a pair of pajama jeans, pay that exam fee for the eleventh time, and start from scratch. The thought of it literally consumed me and made me sick to think about it.

To my huge surprise, I passed. The stars actually were in alignment on that day of earthquakes, hurricanes and horrible simulations. I finally got a break.

As someone who has never been a stellar test taker, and came into accounting later in life while trying to raise a family, let me tell you that if I can pass the CPA exam, then you can too. It took a lot of trial and error, but I found a strategy that worked. For me, each exam required a different strategy. Find what works for you.

Unlike my hero, Kricket, I thought several times about giving up. I thought about it A LOT, especially when I lost credit for BEC. I’m glad I forced myself to stick with it, which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I’m proud and amazed with myself right now.

Many of my forum “classmates” did not pass and many of them have passed in previous classes. I could not have done it without the support and humor they have given me.

Sometimes I felt I was alone when my classmates “graduated” but they have remained here for me throughout, plus newfound ones. I plan to visit the forum and give back two–fold what I received.

If I ever run into Olinto, Gearty, Simpson, Yaeger, or Jeff Elliott, I’m going to give them a big, fat hug and probably blubber like an idiot on their shoulder too.

They helped make me a CPA.

I still can’t believe I can watch Clemson beat Florida State this weekend and not feel guilty about not studying.

Good luck to everyone studying. Knock it out of the park in Q4.

“Our greatest glory consists not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.”
-Oliver Goldsmith