Carla is a new NINJA CPA Blogger.

Hello fellow NINJAs,

When I began my CPA journey after losing my job in 2010 I did not realize the magnitude of the challenge that lay ahead. I had graduated just two years before and had been working in Public Accounting for two years, so I thought passing the exam would be a walk in the park.

Boy was I wrong.

I took all four sections during the course of 2011 and did not pass a single section. I got discouraged and was ready to give up. As it turns out, this was the beginning of the cycle.

I went back into Public Accounting in 2012 and decided to get back in the saddle again, only this time with a new study plan. I decided to focus solely on one section, the beast FAR. I had read many of the Another71 Forum posts and talked with several colleagues and they all talked about how FAR was the hardest section, so I figured I would get that one out of the way.

I began studying for FAR and sat in May 2012 … again came up short. Fall of 2012 offered very little time to study because of being on the road auditing, but I managed to find study time on the road and took a few weeks off at the end of the year to focus on FAR and sat again in January 2013 … I scored a 61. Discouraged and upset, I was ready to throw in the towel.

So now here it is June 2013, and after some long decision-making and contemplation I have a renewed focus. I have found my determination and motivation that I started with almost three years ago. This time will be different, this time will be better … this time I have mad NINJA skills (and tons of support and encouragement from all of you)!

I have begun to study FAR again and plan to sit for the exam in July. I am excited to be on this journey with so many people, and share my stories of success and inspiration with all of you. I will leave you all with a quote to inspire you.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison