Leah is a new NINJA CPA Blogger.

Hello and Hi-Ya!

I’m happy to be able to blog here on Another71. I’m hoping it will help keep my thoughts together about my journey, where I am now, and where want to be, and let everyone in on the craziness that is preparing for the CPA exam.

My name is Leah, and I graduated in 2011 at the age of 31 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. I live in a rural area of West Virginia, and the majority of my classes were completed through distance learning.

The nearest prometrics site to me is about a 2 hour drive away. Did I say rural?

Long story short, I wanted to work for a while before considering a master’s degree. Well, that didn’t work out because I couldn’t find a job after 1½ years of the job search shuffle.

I had previously shelved the idea of sitting for the CPA exam after hearing about other people’s difficulties with it and thinking there would be no way I could pass.

I am here to try and conquer those doubts! Next week will be the end of the additional college classes I had to pick up, and I’ve been getting my application together. WV is changing their application process and I was instructed to wait a few weeks until the new one rolls out.

I plan to sit for FAR in April and possibly AUD in May of 2013. Let the studying begin!

My strategy is to study like it is my job. I don’t have kids, but I enjoy taking care of my husband, my family, and my cat (and anything else that looks like it needs help, ha!). I love my nieces and nephews dearly. I am also town council member, and that has been a real eye opener.

Whether I pass on the first try or fail many times, I will at least know I’ve made the attempt. The encouragement I’ve received here on Another71 is amazing, and I hope to be able to pass it on to others in return.