Shaila is a NINJA CPA Blogger.

Hey NINJAs! An amazing thing happened.

I walked out of my first exam attempt a couple weeks ago resigning myself to a retake, but lo and behold, I passed AUD with an 80.

I’m not really sure how that happened, but hey, I’ll take it! It feels awesome to have passed my first test, and it gives me motivation to keep up the hard work. Maybe I can actually do this!

In the couple weeks since my test, I’ve been a busy girl. I checked taxes off my list, filled out a lengthy application I’d been sitting on, rejoined the gym and got some workouts in.

I spent a week in Las Vegas on the company’s dime (this wasn’t actually as fun as it sounds; I spent most of my time at a convention my company was exhibiting at), and rounded out my study break with an interview for an amazing opportunity.

Let me just say that it has been really frustrating trying to get a job in this economy when you have limited experience. I currently work in internal accounting and am trying to make the switch to public accounting so I can get my CPA experience. I feel like I’m just waiting for that one job that will open doors and help step up my career.

Hopefully passing the tests will change all that. Onto the next one: BEC! I’m planning to start studying tomorrow and am looking at an April end test date.

And now for some inspiration:

“The only limitations one has are the ones they place on themselves.”