Ralph is a NINJA CPA Blogger.

Hey NINJAs. I’m happy to report that FAR was a success. I have to the thank you Lord, family and Jeff (in that specific order), oh, and no thank you NASBA/AICPA for the late release.

The exam itself is like doing an audit; it’s a ton of work that goes into preparing for it (12 weeks for me) to come out with one gratifying report (liken to an audit report). I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders, but on the other side of the road I have BEC looking me square in the face.

I must admit, it’s a bit personal with BEC. This exam has gotten the best of me the past two times, I must win this battle if it’s the last thing I do.

Currently I’ve gone through all the videos and made my initial notes, but I’m so busy at work at the moment that I’m only getting about two hours in per day of study time (usually I get 4 per day). What’s even worse is that I have work that’s waiting with my name, and one of our engagements just got moved up a week earlier.

For all you future CPA candidates out there, word of advice: Do the exam before you become employed, if you can of course. I really can’t stress it enough (can I get an amen NINJAs).

On the flip side, I’m half way through my journey; hopefully Oct 31, 2013 will be the end (REG). I’ve started thinking of some of the things that I want to do, and have to do (wedding planning Aug 1, 2014). Honestly though, four extra hours each weekday, and twelve hours on the weekend to do whatever with, I’m seething just thinking about it.

*Slap* Back to thinking CPA, can’t day dream now. Studying for BEC a third makes it hard not to day dream at times though. I mean you go back over some of the stuff and wonder “did I really fail this exam twice?” but humility is the most important part of this entire exam process I feel.

Finally, as Will Smith so eloquently put it “don’t seek to build a wall, but rather focus on laying one brick.” Remember you just need to lay one brick at a time, and don’t have to build a wall all at once.

Keep pushing NINJAs and remember to focus on laying one brick.

Ralph (The Island NINJA)