Kristin is a NINJA CPA Blogger.

Say what?!?!? Yes, you read it correctly. I received a 69 on BEC and I am okay with it actually.

I was expecting it to be between 65-70, so the way I see it, I am closer than I thought. I moved this exam twice, once for not being prepared, and the second time because I had to go out of town unexpectedly due to my mom having some health problems.

And when I say out of town, what I mean is 3000 miles- WAY out of town. With two kids in tow.

Silly me, I thought to bring everything I would need to study for the week I was gone, but my computer only opened one time, and that was to upload photos. Needless to say when I got home and had only a few days to prepare, I decided to chalk it up to a practice exam, take a deep breath and move on. So I did. And it is what it is, and I am okay with it.

At the end of August, I also sat, for my THIRD time, for Auditing. I felt good during and after the test, but I felt the same way last time and ended up with ANOTHER 74. So I am hoping and praying and crossing fingers and toes and all to have passed this time around. Next week cannot come fast enough, and I live in Oregon, so add a few more days on to the wait.

So this is where I stand: I have passed REG, which will expire in Feb 2014. I just took, and failed BEC with a 69. I am awaiting my AUD score, and have FAR scheduled for November 30th.

I am hoping to retake BEC in the first week of October, and hopefully stay focused and motivated enough to get in gear for FAR right after. It is frustrating to say that I have now sat for 5 exams, and have one pass under my belt (hopefully two). But, I approach things a little differently, and I am sure some of you can connect.

I work full time…I have two kids….they play sports and have playdates and LOVE my attention, and I cook, sometimes, not well…..okay so maybe I can't really use that one! But I have a very full life, and as much as a part of me wants to set everything aside and buckle down and just study study study, I can't.

I can't tell my kids I won't play Life with them, or not go to their football practice and be present. I have tried, and in the end, I am still spread too thin, and feel guilty on top of it. Kids are kids for such a short time….I cannot justify taking too much time from them. And I don't have another parent in the house, so it is just me and my boys when it is me and my boys.

So, instead….I spend a lot of money retaking tests, and a lot of lunchbreaks studying, and a lot of car commute time listening to lectures, because eventually, sooner or later, it is all going to stick, and I will get all 4 exams done on time, and I WILL become a CPA.

It may take me a little longer, and be more of an emotional roller coaster, but I am ok with that. I know plenty of you can connect with me, and hopefully hearing it from someone else helps.

So off to study for BEC. I am trying to write my NINJA Notes twice, listening to Jeff on the NINJA Audio in my car every chance I get, and rotating MCQs between Wiley and my review course. Good luck to all who are awaiting scores next week, I hope a whole lot of us will be celebrating!!

Cheers-
Kristin