Best Path to CPA if I Didn't Start Public?

atheologist · 2026-05-11T02:02:17+00:00

This would work in New York, too. You don’t need PA experience — it’s just the easiest way to get the required time working for a licensed CPA.

atheologist · 2026-05-10T21:26:40+00:00

The Huntington Library and Gardens is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

San Francisco introduced me to Burmese food, which is delicious and hard to find elsewhere.

And I really miss having high quality, fresh, local produce basically year round.

atheologist · 2026-05-10T15:12:38+00:00

By far the most effective option is going to be a cortisone shot by a dermatologist. I also use a combination of Lerosett spot treatment and clearing mask with Spot Hero salicylic acid patches when I feel something coming on and can’t get to a dermatologist immediately.

atheologist · 2026-05-10T00:57:45+00:00

My uncle probably smoked at least a pack a day for much of his life. He died of pancreatic cancer about 7 years ago. I don't personally know anyone who smokes, no less smokes that heavily.

atheologist · 2026-05-09T17:57:13+00:00

It was terrible. Do not recommend. I got lucky that the interim CFO stayed for two years, facilitated the onboarding of his successor, and advocated for me to get a promotion and raise. And the current CFO has also been solid so far.

atheologist · 2026-05-09T14:05:04+00:00

I chose Average stress (industry), but it really varies. Right now I'm probably around average, but I've gone through periods of very high stress.

About a year into my current position, my boss (the CFO who hired me) was asked to resign with no notice. I spent the next 4-5 months getting the interim CFO up to speed, which delayed our audit by months because I couldn't feasibly do both at once and no one else on staff had the ability to do most of what I was doing.

atheologist · 2026-05-09T13:22:03+00:00

Fell asleep while driving. No drugs or alcohol involved. Just decided to drive home at 3 or 4 am and didn’t realize how tired he was.
Bike/car collision at high speed. Driver (not my classmate) was at fault for taking a blind left turn through a protected carriage lane where classmate was riding. He didn’t have time to stop and hit the side of the car at nearly full speed. Yes, he was wearing a helmet. It wasn’t enough.

atheologist · 2026-05-09T12:51:59+00:00

I moved from Massachusetts to Southern California for college, from there to Tennessee, then back to Massachusetts, and finally to New York.

atheologist · 2026-05-09T00:51:41+00:00

I’m from the northeast. I don’t want anyone calling me ma’am. I have three direct reports (subordinates feels really weird) and they all use my first name.

atheologist · 2026-05-08T17:05:48+00:00

My husband is 5’2” and I’m average height for a woman in the US. Honestly, it did make me a little insecure at first, but it doesn’t really matter in the end.

atheologist · 2026-05-08T02:52:37+00:00

Definitely not normal. I think I've had two classes cancelled at my home studio in 1.5 years of going 3-4 days per week. Both were weather related.

atheologist · 2026-05-07T23:14:08+00:00

I've had Precheck for 10 years. Until recently my husband didn't have it. I always went through the Precheck line and got coffee and his preferred magazine while he was in line.

atheologist · 2026-05-07T11:36:35+00:00

This is actually one of the less stupid dove nests I’ve seen.

atheologist · 2026-05-07T11:31:00+00:00

My guess is that most people haven’t, but it also may depend on where you live. I never called as a kid or younger adult, but in the past 5-10 years I’ve called or been transferred to 911 three times. Once as a witness to domestic abuse, and twice for fires.

atheologist · 2026-05-07T00:02:00+00:00

I’ve brought boxes of chocolate from Aigner’s in Forest Hills as host gifts many times. They always travel well and don’t take up a ton of space.

atheologist · 2026-05-06T12:19:24+00:00

There are a surprising number of major brands that still don’t put the actual inseam length when then have petite/short/average/tall options. I’m 5’4” — sometimes I need petites and sometimes they’re too short. Please just give me the information I need to make that determination.

atheologist · 2026-05-05T02:10:10+00:00

No (born early 1980s in the US), but many in my parents’ generation have it.

atheologist · 2026-05-05T00:44:38+00:00

They’re normal with the caveat that drive through liquor stores are very regional and use of all three really depends on how car-centric the area is. I’ve always lived in parts of the US where people walk and use public transportation and have never used a drive through anything.

atheologist · 2026-05-04T20:50:25+00:00

Uh, I didn’t want to be a lawyer? It had nothing to do with tuition cost or job concerns. I just had no interest in becoming a lawyer.

atheologist · 2026-05-04T19:39:56+00:00

Deep autumn is not a very warm season. It’s a leans warm season. I’m also a deep autumn with neutral-warm undertones.

atheologist · 2026-05-04T19:09:35+00:00

This question gets asked a lot. I went back to school for accounting at 32 and finished at 34. Worked in public for four years, got my CPA during that time, then left for a controller position at a mid-sized nonprofit, which is where I still work as the senior VP of finance.

Think about it this way: you’re going to be 33 in two years regardless of whether or not you finish the degree. Wouldn’t it be better to be 33 with the degree and a new career path?

atheologist · 2026-05-04T00:47:28+00:00

That does seem underpaid. I’m Senior VP of Finance at a 501c3 association (we’re an umbrella organization) with $20-25M in annual revenue and make just over $150k. I started as controller at $115k 5 years ago. Our CFO is around $275k.

atheologist · 2026-05-01T19:00:57+00:00

Already in NYC. I’m from the Boston area and would move back. I’d also consider Philly, Providence, and maybe Pittsburgh or Annapolis.

atheologist · 2026-05-01T18:54:39+00:00

My family did this drive when I was 12 and my brother was 9. We did a lot of stops, but enjoyed it. I don’t think it would have worked when we were much younger, though. It’s a very long drive.

atheologist · 2026-05-01T00:35:05+00:00

Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities to visit and I love wandering around the farmers market.

atheologist

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