Is It Possible?
Studying for CPA exams while working full-time seems like an impossible task, especially if you’re working for a public accounting firm. So many of my peers have given up because they simply “don’t have enough time”. The truth is, many people aren’t willing to make the sacrifices needed to achieve their goal or simply don’t know how to get started. Let me guide you through my process in hopes that it will help with your journey.
Acknowledge the Change
Devoting two to three hours a day to study for one of the country’s most difficult exams requires realistic expectations and acknowledgement of a major shift in lifestyle. (This is especially true if you’re working full-time.) You’ll need to learn to say “no” to family gatherings or “maybe next time” to birthday parties. Your happy-hour group will need to be put on hold and that vacation you’ve been planning might need to be rescheduled. Once you acknowledge these sacrifices in the beginning, you will be mentally prepared to do what’s necessary to succeed on your journey to becoming a CPA.
Something cannot come from nothing. The time you devote to your studies will pay off in dividends down the road, it’s almost an absolute certainty!
Advertise Your Goal
One of the hardest things about embarking on this journey is letting the people closest to you know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Some friends might get offended because you can’t make their bachelor/bachelorette party. Family members will think you don’t like them anymore because you stopped showing up for the weekly barbecue. This is why you need to advertise to your social group that you are devoting your free time to studying for an exam that will help your career advancement. Inform them that you may be absent for the next few months and tell them how that makes you feel. Once you’ve communicated your upcoming sacrifice to your friends and family, they will rally behind your cause instead of holding it against you. Trust me when I say: people value your presence more than you realize. It’s only fair to let them know why you can’t be there.
Stick to Your Schedule
Whether you devote 1 or 3 hours a day to studying, you need to do everything you can to maintain your schedule. There is so much information to learn for the CPA exams that taking a few days off may snowball into full-on neglect. Even if you don’t feel like studying, review the material for 10 minutes and pick up the difference the following day. Having said that, it’s important to take at least 1 day (and no more than 2 days) off each week. We’re only human! Over-studying can lead to burnout and be just as detrimental as being unprepared. Use that day off to catch up with friends and family or go do something you love. Remind yourself why you’re dedicating your valuable time to the CPA exams and what doors it will unlock in the future.
Tips & Tricks
- Download a flashcard app – Start creating cards from terms/concepts that you struggle with. Substitute this for whatever doom-scrolling app you favor on your downtime (I’m looking at you, Instagram).
- Location, location, location – If possible, study at the location of your current employer. Showing your dedication and resolve to your coworkers is an EXCELLENT way to show them you mean business. Even if they don’t speak to you directly, their respect for you will manifest in your future engagements. I can’t tell you how many times partners stopped by to say how much they’re rooting for me.
- Take the mock exams seriously – This. If there’s one thing you need to do throughout your entire journey, it’s taking the mock exams under the real conditions. Since most mock exams are digital, there will be a timer to simulate the real time allotment for the actual exam. Taking these mock exams seriously means you’ll be prepared, not only from a content standpoint, but from an environment perspective as well.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this it means you are probably more ready than most to take on the CPA exams. Don’t forget to remind yourself of your goal and what it means for your personal life and career. Visualize the letters C-P-A after your name give a thought to how you will celebrate your accomplishment. Until then, happy studying!
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Funny Story
When I was taking one of my CPA exams at the Lake Forest test center in California, I was met with a horrifying site. Halfway through, my computer monitor went black! No response from the keyboard or mouse brought it back to life. I was in shock as I imagined the last 30 answers of my exam were deleted or lost. (Thankfully, this story has a happy ending.) The staff came over and restarted my testing computer and to my surprise, it picked up right were I left off! All-in-all I experienced about 3-5 minutes of pure terror. Needless to say I was rattled for at least another 5 minutes, but after a few deep breathes and self-correction I was back in it. Lesson learned – pick a reputable testing center!
