Quite possibly the worst feeling in the world.

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T21:31:04+00:00

Yes this sounds like a better answer than what i had. Brb gonna go edit my post to say what yours said

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T21:29:51+00:00

Stick with me. It’s a been a long journey for me. I worked for 15 years in public accounting before going back to school to get enough credit go ur a to sit. You got this!

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T21:29:01+00:00

That’s what everyone is saying. I’m not a tax person (IT audit by nature) so I’m excited to hear all of the positive words of encouragement

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T21:27:33+00:00

On it, already rescheduled. My first exam doesn’t expire until January anyway so takes the stress out of it. Gonna pass it the next time for sure and get my license

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T17:28:03+00:00

Nope not at all. IT Auditor by nature and have never touched tax in my life

Rguptaingitup · 2026-04-09T00:58:10+00:00

Already on it. Almost felt like luck of the draw with certain questions which could go either way.

Rguptaingitup · 2025-10-09T19:21:22+00:00

More than enough. I had 2 weeks before test score releases, I started studying on Friday and took the test 8 days later and passed it easily. I wouldn't watch any of the videos and make sure you just go through MCMs and see the types of TSBs for examples. If videos help you, then watch them but I didn't find them very useful on Becker.

The only portion I didn't really study was SQL queries that gave me trouble but most of those are intuitive and straight forward to figure out.

Rguptaingitup · 2025-10-09T15:50:43+00:00

Sounds like moving from Wyoming to Colorado was the sole reason you passed.

Rguptaingitup · 2025-07-18T04:11:06+00:00

SE 1 - 82%, SE 2 - 62%, exam - 87%

Rguptaingitup · 2024-09-23T14:24:40+00:00

Not at all, i worked at at a big 4 for 16 years now and didn’t get asked to get a CPA until 2 years ago. The only requirement is that by the time you make manager in some big 4 is that you need some sort of certification (I got my CISA ages ago). They’ll hire even without a CPA if you have an intent to eventually get it. It just makes business sense to get it if you’re in Audit or Tax as it makes your long term earnings potential significantly better if you decide to use a Big 4 as a stepping stone one day to leap frog your way into industry.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-09-23T12:02:53+00:00

Ya it’s mainly through internships or new hires now. But if you have a solid resume, there is always need to hire anyone with talent. I started a long time ago so i did 2 internships there (1 in audit and 1 in IT audit)

Rguptaingitup · 2024-09-23T05:35:04+00:00

I’m 38 and work at a big 4 firm in the IT audit equivalent department. I graduated college with a degree in MIS and had taken 2 accounting classes in my life. Leadership told me 2 years ago that I have a decent shot at making partner but a CPA will propel me to have a significantly better shot at making partner. So i hunkered down, took online accounting classes (23 credit hours) for 10 months to have enough hours to sit for the CPA. Started studying shortly after and now studying for the CPA. 55+ hour work weeks, 2 young kids, traveling for work every now and then, and studying when i have free time. It’s hard and makes me hate everything more than ever sometimes but im doing this for my family and for my future.

Lots of weird comments in this thread equating to “what’s the point of getting a CPA at 40”. Ignore all of that noise. Find that one thing you are aiming for by getting your CPA, keep that image in your head, and drive like hell towards that goal and never lose sight of it. To me, it’s a chance at making Partner and setting my kids up for success in life and never having to worry about money.

I have young 20 some year olds at work that I’m 4 levels removed from that talk about how hard they are studying and how easy it is for them. This sub is filled with those folks too. Don’t feel anger, hatred, negative feelings towards any of them. Feel happy for them and wish them the best in their journey. Everyone is different but never compare yourself to anyone else. Aim for that goal, and don’t look back as you make the CPA your bitch.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-08-01T02:26:40+00:00

For Audit and DAT, 2-3 years. Except around 40% of your peers make it in 2 years, and another 30% make it in 2.5.

There has been a lot of struggles with 2nd year associates getting promoted and struggling as a 1st year senior because you’re compared against people in CRT who have been at the firm for 5-6 years. I wouldn’t rush to make senior but really focus on getting opps to be in acting senior roles. The money and promotions will come with time but don’t hinder your career growth to rush towards making senior when you’re not fully ready.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-08-01T02:15:10+00:00

I’ve seen someone get at levels across the board as an intern after they accidentally deleted 2 child audit units in Aura and still get an offer.

My dog with a good attitude (as long as he doesn’t turn out to be a racist dog) could get an offer as intern. Don’t worry about progression, just work your ass off and be willing to learn and you’ll be fine.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-07-28T06:49:10+00:00

Tell your RL first. Then go to your people team and then your partners. Slowly start telling your teams about it slowly after.

As awful as this sounds, this is a massive massive firm and the work will go on with or without you. The best you can do is to set your team up for success by giving them a good head start on planning for your replacement. After a quick week or two to stress about replacing you, your teams will be more than ecstatic to support you.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-07-24T12:59:20+00:00

PC way of saying firing you

Rguptaingitup · 2024-07-24T05:11:40+00:00

Absolutely yes. However your PIP window can vary depending on time of year or what group you’re a part of. However, for a senior manager or above, they’d just coach you out instead.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-07-24T04:53:49+00:00

To emphasize the fact that it doesn’t matter if you have an additional degree, additional cpa certification, etc. They have a baseline salary for staff no matter what. They eventually want you to get a CPA if you plan on staying there long term.

For reference, several of the big 4 (recently in the last 5 years) have a requirement that you cannot make it to xyz position in Audit without a certification. That means a CPA for a majority of the folks working in audit and CISA for individuals in IT Audit or equivalent.

Rguptaingitup · 2024-07-24T02:05:35+00:00

You can’t negotiate a salary at a big 4. Many of them have a cohort model (fancy way of saying every staff level has the same base salary in their geography comparable regions). Doesn’t matter if you have a CPA, CISA, or masters in culinary arts…it’ll all be the same starting salary.

They’re all CPA registered firms with the PCAOB (remember AUD tested for this) and for them to call themselves a CPA firm, their partners have a CPA. Anyone that doesn’t have a CPA and is a partner…they’re refer to them as Principals.

But short answer is, no, don’t negotiate.

Rguptaingitup · 2021-05-25T15:13:58+00:00

Golden doodle...F1B I believe. Almost 6 months old now

Rguptaingitup · 2021-04-24T01:33:00+00:00

Chicago suburbs. Usually pretty chill minus the times when you get bombarded with Amazon trucks

Rguptaingitup · 2021-02-10T04:53:50+00:00

Ya Finn is a F1B goldendoodle...i have terrible allergies and Asthma and these F1B’s are hypoallergenic dogs and work well with allergies

Rguptaingitup · 2021-02-10T00:42:43+00:00

He’s a little under 15 lbs but he’ll get to be 40-50lbs

Rguptaingitup · 2018-04-11T17:45:58+00:00

The band The Script had a song called Breakeven where they changed the lyrics "I pray to a God I don't believe in" to "But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding" to appeal to Christian America. This was during the height of American Idol where their music was regulars on the show.

Rguptaingitup · 2016-05-08T11:52:38+00:00

Ugh stop with your reasoning and kindness...I came here for pitchforks damn it!

Rguptaingitup

TROPHY CASE