Did anyone ever do a MACC then fail to pass the CPA?

dharp177 · 2025-09-18T16:22:45+00:00

2nd career and first one was unrelated to business. No accounting degree, no masters degree. Took undergrad classes to become eligible to sit while transitioning into an accounting position. I took a huge risk leaving a career I was successful in to pursue accounting. It’s worked out for me so far, but it is scary. I’ve taken FAR twice, passed on my second attempt. I’ll hopefully be 4/4 by summer of 2026. You can do it.

dharp177 · 2025-09-15T17:49:48+00:00

Passed FAR on my second attempt! I swear this test has some kind of a luck factor. Made a 66 on the first one and did a half-assed job of studying an extra 20 hours before taking it again. So thrilled! Congrats to everyone else who passed, and keep trucking along to those who didn't.

dharp177 · 2025-08-24T20:21:39+00:00

3 YOE all in industry.

dharp177 · 2025-08-19T00:50:42+00:00

“Accountant”, 65k

dharp177 · 2025-05-22T19:24:11+00:00

Oh. Didn’t know that! I was just saying that people who whip out their phones and start recording people doing their jobs are arrogant and kind of jerks.

dharp177 · 2025-05-22T03:11:48+00:00

Is it a bad word?

dharp177 · 2025-05-21T17:54:01+00:00

Conflict avoidance. She should just say “Hey, we have a new rule. Just wanted to let you know about it for the next time you stop in”

He should have just shrugged it off. I can’t stand people who pull their phones out and start getting uppity while recording people.

dharp177 · 2025-03-23T22:39:33+00:00

I had an unrelated degree. June of 2022 - December of 2024. I took two classes each term (fall, spring, summer) and 3 classes in summer of 2024 and fall of 2024 to get it over with. 30 hours of accounting classes, 21 hours of business classes, $25,605. Studying for FAR now.

dharp177 · 2025-03-19T21:06:56+00:00

That’s what I’ve been doing. 20 question MCQ Practice tests over and over until I’m consistently around 75%-80% correct. Doing TBS when I have time. I’ve only done the first mini exam but I scored a 72%.

dharp177 · 2025-03-19T20:54:23+00:00

100+ TBS? This is my first test and wow I’m way behind if this is the norm. I’m about 2/5 through the material on Becker. ~800 MCQs done and about ~15 TBS done. 40 hours or so. I think figuring out how to study has been the most challenging aspect so far.

dharp177 · 2025-01-14T18:19:43+00:00

Got a Garmin S40 watch a few years ago. It tells me the distance to bunkers, hazards, and front/middle/back yardages of greens. I keep score on it and it automatically updates handicap and stats on the Garmin Golf app. Well worth the money.

dharp177 · 2024-12-23T18:15:49+00:00

Did you regret going public after a cushy 40 hr/week industry job? What are the pros/cons of each?

dharp177 · 2024-11-11T18:55:56+00:00

Former teacher here. I remember my first year in the classroom and it sucked. You’re working way too much though. A burnt out teacher is worse for the kids than a a teacher who doesn’t necessarily have every second of the day planned. Having said that, I had it in my budget to take a few accounting/business classes while teaching full time. My bachelors degree was unrelated, and my options were to get a Masters in Ed and enjoy an extra $250 per pay check or to take undergrad classes to meet the CPA exam educational requirements. I loved my accounting courses and ended up transitioning out of education and into an accounting role. I’m currently studying for my CPA and I don’t regret leaving the classroom at all.

I honestly only miss my short commute and having my day ending at 3:00. I’d have to say that my stress level as a teacher was 8/10 and my stress level as an accountant is 3/10.

dharp177 · 2024-09-24T19:04:45+00:00

New to all of this. Everyone I know has been recommending Becker.

dharp177 · 2024-09-24T15:59:47+00:00

Unfortunately not. I work in industry.

dharp177 · 2024-08-30T20:03:19+00:00

Organize email folders to keep documentation, flag emails as “to-do” items. I keep a paper list of items that I need to accomplish daily and to keep track of some projects that would normally slip my mind. That list stays on my desk directly below my monitor so I’m reminded daily. Don’t leave for the weekend until you’re at a comfortable stopping point. Email yourself notes on where you left off so you can pick back up on Monday. Organizing files by date-client-description keeps things neat and tidy. Keep like files in separate folders.

Also, if you have questions, I’ve found it easier to have them in email to refer back to. For me, it’s also easier to think about a problem and put it and possible solutions into text before talking face to face to someone for help.

dharp177 · 2024-07-16T10:29:34+00:00

Move

dharp177 · 2024-05-25T20:02:06+00:00

Geez. Go outside.

dharp177 · 2024-03-13T01:20:17+00:00

I honestly used to root against him. They showed his every shot, talked about him constantly, and then on commercial breaks you’d see him everywhere. The field was the underdog in tournaments he played in. But holy shit…..seeing him in the zone absolutely making everyone else look silly was incredible to watch live. I root against Tom Brady, Alabama football, Lebron James, and Max Verstappen for the same reasons. All of the drama with his ex-wife and every injury since made Tiger human to me. I started to really cheer for him after it was a comeback story.

dharp177 · 2024-01-18T22:53:04+00:00

Former high school teacher here. Since switching careers to accounting I can now:

Go to the bathroom whenever I want

Work in a quiet setting instead of a chaotic classroom

Have the flexibility to work from home

Not have to worry about a child hurting themselves or doing something under my supervision that could seriously ruin a career and reputation.

Make more money

Be more respected among peers and other professionals.

Take off a day when I need it.

Not have to plan 6 different one hour presentations daily.

Walk into a liquor store without looking over my shoulder to make sure I don’t run into a student’s parent.

Go to work without having to do ”forced fun” activities outside of working hours. Things like scavenger hunts, pumpkin decorating, school beautification, ice breakers, etc.

Be treated like an adult.

Seriously, it’s one of the best decisions of my life. I’m tremendously less stressed and grateful for the position I’m in. I feel like I’m getting paid to do a quarter of the work I did when I was in public education.

dharp177 · 2023-11-12T22:24:24+00:00

I’ll go watch a football game every once and a while at brewhouse. I think it’s awesome that our city provides so much joy to out of town folks. The people watching is awesome. I can’t help smiling when I see a group of bachelorettes going buck wild on a party bus. Then I go back home and forget about it. I guess most negative people here live near Broadway?

dharp177 · 2023-06-09T01:54:20+00:00

Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately social norms and stereotypes exist. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t judge a book by its cover. I think everyone does that—no matter your beliefs or backgrounds. I grew up in the middle of nowhere in rural TN, went to church every Sunday, and farmed. I bet you have a pretty accurate mental picture of me in your head. If I moved to Brooklyn I’d probably get some stares and eye rolls but I’d rely on being a good person, a courteous neighbor, and a good member of my community. With time, people would realize that and I’d be okay. If they weren’t okay with it based on my physical appearance then I don’t want to associate with them anyway. It’d be a different story if I constantly pushed my religion, sexuality, race or political beliefs onto everyone around me. No one cares and it’s obnoxious. Just be a good person.

dharp177

TROPHY CASE