JoMarie is a weekly Club 75 Blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam. She has been a member of Another71.com's Club 75 since October 2010.
Hello fellow CPA Exam Candidates!!
My name is JoMarie and Ive been sitting for the CPA Exam along with you. Let me start with telling you a little bit about myself. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting in 2000.
The first time I sat for the CPA Exam was back in the paper and pencil days. The days when you had 3 years to pass all parts of the exam before losing credits (I miss those days). I stopped sitting for the exam when I got married and had my oldest daughter in 2004.
In 2008, something changed. I told myself I need to get back into sitting for the exam and chase my dream of becoming a CPA. Faithfully I sat for exams window after window, finally in Jan of 2009 I passed my first exam. REG, on my first try!! Working for a small accounting firm that mainly works with small business owners and prepares financial statements on a tax basis I wasnt that surprised that I passed Regulation.
Following Regulation, came a passing grade in FAR in August of 2009 (yeah, Im halfway to my dream). Then in February of 2010, I finally passed BEC!!! I have a really hard time with this section. Then came my monster, Audit! At this point, Ive taken audit twice, working on my 3rd time. Being pregnant with our second daughter I thought I can take April/May 2010 window off and schedule it for July or August and have tons of time to study while I was on leave and shouldnt worry about failing it and would be a CPA before my REG expires in September of 2010.
Then my dream started to take a downward spiral. August 2010 came I sat for Audit, failed it. No problem, I thought, Ill pass both REG and Audit by the end of the year. Well then came the expiration date for FAR. Now here I am 3 tests to go to get my CPA, when at one point I had 1 test left. Just this morning, I found out I failed REG again. See why I said I miss the 3 year expiration dates? Cant seem to get my REG back and now Ive lost FAR along with it.
Well now Im preparing myself to sit for my monster, Audit. Ive listened to all the Becker Lectures, written tons and tons of notes. Now going over the Becker and Wiley MCQs, along with listening to Yaegers Listen and Learn lectures while I make a long daily drive to and from work (Im driving at least 3 hours (1 hour and ½ each way) per day, dropping our older daughter at daycare and dropping our little one at my Dads for the day). Im also planning on hitting the library this weekend, while my hubby (who I barely see these days) has some quality time with the girls.
All I can say is I hope Ive convinced some fellow candidates not to give up on your dream or goal!!
Till next week!!
JoMarie
JoMarie: Don't give up; you can do it! My story is very similar to yours. Graduated in 2000, tried the paper and pencil exam, tried CBT several years ago and in late 2009 decided it was time to get the CPA under my belt. I passed BEC in Nov 2009 with a 76. Next was REG in Feb 2010, passed with 94. Then AUD in May 2010, passed with 86. On to FAR in July 2010; missed it by one point, made 74. I was devastated. Picked myself up and moved on, took it again in Nov 2010; made an 87. It was a 13 month journey but well worth it. Keep your head up!
Thanks for sharing your story, JoMarie! I've been thinking to drop my long chasing CPA dream totally after so many failures, but after reading your post which I'm in a similar path as yours, I'll hang on tight to get back on this rough road track again. So, hanging there, you'll make it and see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thank you. I'm not planning on giving up without a good fight!!
my heart goes out to you after reading your story. I cant imaging the devastating pain you had to go through from being so close to retaking almost all of it. Please dont give up and you will pass this exam and see that three letters following your name