December122011

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So this happened on Friday. I know I haven’t mentioned the CPA exam in a while. I got tired of hearing myself bitch and moan and lie about it, so I just went into silent-mode. Let’s back up to August. The first test I passed (BEC) had expired, so I needed to retake it. Of course by this time, the entire exam had changed, and this section now has ALL the writing testlets when it used to have only multiple choice. I ordered new study materials and registered to retake it around the same time I planned to retake REG - for like the 18th time. I take REG first, followed by BEC a couple weeks later and immediately put both out of my mind since I won’t hear anything for a month. I get my REG score back finally, and I’ll be damned if I’m only 2 points away - again. This test is my absolute arch-enemy at this point. I literally did not have the heart to tell my parents or grandfather I had failed again. I simply couldn’t bear the thought. So I lied to my biggest cheerleaders. A few days later I got my BEC score arrives, and I passed!! With relief, I tell my family. The problem is that they now think I’m through with the exams. I quietly register for REG, knowing if I don’t pass this time, I will lose credit for my FAR section. November rolled around, I sat for the test, and I felt pretty good about it. You never know though. The AICPA had finally adopted a quicker scoring schedule, so I would find out my fate in 3-4 weeks. This past Friday, I decide to check the mailing dates on the NC Board’s website, and lo and behold they now have electronic score retrieval. I hold my breath, type in my info, and my score pops up. 78!!!! SEVENTY-EIGHT. And the word “PASS”, rightfully in all caps (which always seemed unnecessary when the opposite result was listed). I ran into an empty office and called Thomas immediately. He’s the only person who knows I was waiting on that score (besides the therapist I just told, ha!). I’m out of breath with excitement, and I want to shout it out to everyone I know. But I can’t. Because I was too embarrassed to admit my own failure before, I am now sentenced to a quiet, minutes-long celebration. I regret the way I handled a lot of things about this exam. My lack of discipline was ridiculous, unlike me, time-consuming and expensive. My shame was painful, but I should have had the courage to face it. All that said… I DID IT! I can’t even describe the relief or the sheer joy I felt when I found out. I have since enrolled in my mandatory ethics course and am registering for a random class at CPCC to earn the last two credit hours I need to meet the 150 hour requirement for certification. I should be able to apply for my certificate in May. My current sentiment about all this? “Hallelujah, holy shit, where’s the Tylenol?!”

So this happened on Friday. I know I haven’t mentioned the CPA exam in a while. I got tired of hearing myself bitch and moan and lie about it, so I just went into silent-mode.

Let’s back up to August. The first test I passed (BEC) had expired, so I needed to retake it. Of course by this time, the entire exam had changed, and this section now has ALL the writing testlets when it used to have only multiple choice. I ordered new study materials and registered to retake it around the same time I planned to retake REG - for like the 18th time.

I take REG first, followed by BEC a couple weeks later and immediately put both out of my mind since I won’t hear anything for a month. I get my REG score back finally, and I’ll be damned if I’m only 2 points away - again. This test is my absolute arch-enemy at this point. I literally did not have the heart to tell my parents or grandfather I had failed again. I simply couldn’t bear the thought. So I lied to my biggest cheerleaders. A few days later I got my BEC score arrives, and I passed!! With relief, I tell my family. The problem is that they now think I’m through with the exams. I quietly register for REG, knowing if I don’t pass this time, I will lose credit for my FAR section.

November rolled around, I sat for the test, and I felt pretty good about it. You never know though. The AICPA had finally adopted a quicker scoring schedule, so I would find out my fate in 3-4 weeks.

This past Friday, I decide to check the mailing dates on the NC Board’s website, and lo and behold they now have electronic score retrieval. I hold my breath, type in my info, and my score pops up. 78!!!! SEVENTY-EIGHT. And the word “PASS”, rightfully in all caps (which always seemed unnecessary when the opposite result was listed).

I ran into an empty office and called Thomas immediately. He’s the only person who knows I was waiting on that score (besides the therapist I just told, ha!). I’m out of breath with excitement, and I want to shout it out to everyone I know. But I can’t. Because I was too embarrassed to admit my own failure before, I am now sentenced to a quiet, minutes-long celebration.

I regret the way I handled a lot of things about this exam. My lack of discipline was ridiculous, unlike me, time-consuming and expensive. My shame was painful, but I should have had the courage to face it.

All that said… I DID IT! I can’t even describe the relief or the sheer joy I felt when I found out. I have since enrolled in my mandatory ethics course and am registering for a random class at CPCC to earn the last two credit hours I need to meet the 150 hour requirement for certification. I should be able to apply for my certificate in May.

My current sentiment about all this?

“Hallelujah, holy shit, where’s the Tylenol?!”