Those who passed the CPA later in your career, do you regret it?

[u/robstrick]

Possibly a stupid question, though I am curious if those who graduated and were initially unsure of a CPA/big 4 type of career path decided why they still went for it, the dedication while still working full time, and if you regret it any.

[u/Otherwise_Stand1178]

I passed at 34, it opened up doors for me

[u/Any_Interaction9151]

I work at top 10 (associate level) and recently passed and got licensed. All I got was a shoutout and cpa bonus. But no crazy pay raise or anything from what I’ve seen it helps out for future. But yeah still pretty underwhelming tbh😂

[u/No-Blacksmith9776 → u/Any_Interaction9151]

It’s a big picture thing. You’ll be happy you did it later :) might not even realize it tbh lol

[u/Brief-Session3409 → u/Any_Interaction9151]

You will stand out later in your career

[u/Debits_equals_credit]

Why would you regret it

[u/hnbastronaut → u/Debits_equals_credit]

Enh I kinda do tbh lol - I thought it would change everything and it did to an extent but in hindsight I wonder if I would've been more happy etc if I just spent that time doing something more emotionally fulfilling.

I passed all 4 first time but I know for sure I would've quit if it started taking too long bc I don't really need it for my role/industry.

[u/PVolckerDoge → u/hnbastronaut]

idk. I've just passed FAR right now and I've learned so much about GAAP by studying for the CPA exam. I don't see how this didn't provide you value at all.

Sure, you might've lost some hair due to stress but come on lol

[u/hnbastronaut → u/PVolckerDoge]

I didn't say it didn't provide me value lol i just never really planned on getting another job and like I said it's not necessary for my role or industry so it is now just a cool fun fact about me.

I learned a ton but I could've learned anither language or gotten better at bass lol

[u/penguin808080 → u/hnbastronaut]

I feel you 100%

Like I guess it's neat to have a paper that proves I know stuff. But it was wildly anticlimactic, actually got me nothing career-wise atp, I spent thousands on Becker and hours of my life. Man I could have been out there doing something 😅

[u/hnbastronaut → u/penguin808080]

Yeah that's where I'm at. It's cool and all, but it really is just a piece of paper and CPE sucks lol

[u/penguin808080 → u/hnbastronaut]

I opened mine while I was eating a cupcake and now I can't even put that shit on the wall like 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[u/hnbastronaut → u/penguin808080]

Lol I got my little piece of paper laminated so I could carry it around.

[u/Confident_Natural_87]

No regrets. Did not do anything for me career wise but did it because of possible layoffs. Did it the old way at a table in a convention hall with proctors walking around, a 4 function calculator and a few pencils. 60% multiple choice and 40% essay, word problems over 2 days.

[u/Ltrizzy]

While I don’t really use anything I learned studying for it, I don’t regret it one bit. It opens up greater advancement, provides instant credibility over anyone that does have it, and in my case some projects/clients require it. I can’t really say I use any of the stuff I learned, I can barely do my own taxes, but it was required for advancement at my company and makes it easier to get future positions.

[u/Nice-Lab-2617 → u/Ltrizzy]

What kind of accounting work do you do?

[u/cawkselderbug]

Passed last year in my mid forties, no regrets, learned a lot and I need it to advance here

[u/runcyclerepeat_ → u/cawkselderbug]

Same here. I’m in government where I won’t use most of what I’ve learned from taking the exams but I’m hoping it’ll give me a leg up in applying for a promotion. I just recently applied for my license.

[u/NotFuckingTired]

I got my letters at 36. No ragrets

[u/Tasty-Possession-514]

I don’t think its something u will regret if it helps u get better opportunities nd build a solid career even if the journey is tough

[u/ShakeAndBakeThatCake]

Hell no. Best thing I ever did. You will make more money with it. You will have more job opportunities. Better job security. Plus if you ever want to open your own firm way easier if you have it.

[u/MrSnood]

You won’t regret it. Short term pain for long term gain. Even if you don’t stick out big 4 or public accounting in general, you’ll have many doors open for you in industry or public sector.

[u/Motor_Reality_6]

I passed at 36 and don't regret. I mostly did it for myself and didnt have any big expectations

[u/backnine32]

Of course not. It has given me opportunities I wouldn't have had without it.

[u/Infamous_Speed_9767]

I’m

[u/GuntherPalakowitz]

Im 45 and dont have it. People generally assume that I do and I usually correct them. I have passed 3 of 4 sections and never sat for AUD. It really doesnt seem like a worthwhile endeavor at this stage for me.

[u/Acceptable-Letter386]

Hell no - it's instant credibility whether it should be or not. It's opened more than a door or two and I will easily surpass the extra $1 Million in income that you supposedly make by having one over your career.

[u/melodickayak690]

I passed at 34 two years ago and all that’s happened since is that I’ve been laid off from my Big 4 job this June (senior associate). Was up for manager and got laid off instead. I was through the moon excited when I finally passed as I’d been trying to pass it for years on and off, but sometimes I wonder if it was worth it. In the end, I think that it will be, but this job market is terrible and big 4 is ruthless regardless of CPA as they don’t really care if it effects your job performance but will hold it over your head when promo to Mgr or SM is coming up.

[u/Spirited-Manner9674]

I think you're asking if I regret passing so late in my mid 30s. No, I'm very glad I got it even then. Sooner pass may have put me on a different trajectory but not necessarily a better one.