February 3, 2010 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
This is a series in which I am thanking those who helped me pass the CPA exam.
Next up, my girlfriend, Mwayi!
When we see people who have accomplished something thank their family and friends, or go on an endless litany of how who did what when where, we sometimes don’t appreciate how certain people can make or break a person or his/her dreams. I have read of a few stories where a boyfriend or girlfriend lost “patience” or “love” because the other person was studying all the time. Sometimes they will say hurtful or discouraging things. At a minimum, I think you need somebody who will not “distract” you emotionally, mentally, or physically. Well, that’s my minimum. I was lucky to have somebody who was selfless in her support of my goals. I had alluded to her help in when I was thanking God for His help. I may repeat some of those things here. If I do, it is totally-deserved and I cannot thank her enough.
Her love: I cannot explain it enough. I have heard it said that “love is a verb.” To have somebody whom you have no doubts or questions about her love is a blessing. How am I so sure about her love? I don’t know. Her works, her presence, my feelings,.. and other “unexplainables.” I am lucky and thankful to have that.
Her goodness: There are some things that she did/does that I know she does them not because it is me or because she loves me as her boyfriend, but because she is just a good person. It is nice and helpful to be surrounded by goodness and love when you are stressed out, and when you are not at your best self. I am sure that when I was preparing for the exams and she was around, I was not the best boyfriend in the world, and the exam may have seemed as first, middle, and last priority. I suspect that her core goodness and the love made her go through those times with grace.
Her spirituality: She has prayed for me/us/others a million times – whether it was on the phone, or in the car, or the couch… Any time is God-time, especially when things are overwhelming. It was nice to pray when we were not stressed, and when we were stressed out. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying… either because I am tired, or I feel sinful, or I am just too stressed to focus, and yet part of me wants a prayer to be said to God. To have somebody who will say that prayer with you or for you, is always great. Even though I don’t act it, I believe that there is nothing more important that one’s spirituality and relationship with God. To have somebody who is a constant reminder of God is a blessing beyond description.
Her encouragement: I am pretty certain that I am smart, that if I invest enough time in something, I will get it, and on any day I can look back to see things I have sought and achieved. But even with that knowledge and proof, there were times when I thought I was missing something to pass the CPA exams. I had doubts before I passed my first exam, and I had doubts after I had passed 3 exams. I read my positive thinking note, I prayed, I listened to positive thinking notes, but doubts could overwhelm me sometimes. To have somebody who knew me so well, and could either laugh at my doubts, or recite my successes, or just find a way to tell me, it was doable, I could do it, I would do it, that was very helpful, and a special blessing.
Her achievements and intellect: she is very smart. Overall, I think she is smarter than me. Even though I was not in competition with her, her achievements (those past, present, and to come) inspired me to make something of the opportunity I had to be a CPA. It was nice to double-check my thinking at times, especially on Economic theory (BEC). I knew she would become a CFA at some point or go to do a Ph.D, so out of love, I could become a CPA! (LOL!)
Her cooking: other than my mom (!), I think she is the best cook I have ever met/loved! I don’t think it is just because I love my mom or I love my girlfriend, or that I have eaten their food the most, I truly believe they cook good food. The sentiment aside, it was nice to not worry about cooking lunch or dinner after spending 12+ hours at work, and then trying to study after that. I cooked a few times when she was around, but it was so rare/few that it should not even count. The difference was so noticeable when she was gone, and I started cooking for myself again. I would usually cook different foods on the weekend, so that I didn’t have to cook during the week. I don’t mind eating the same foods over and over, or reheating foods, but still, I could not help but miss her presence and cooking. [Note: we didn't breakup! 
]
Her presence: It was nice to come home and get a hug, to share the happenings of the day, share our thoughts, goals, dreams, etc. Eat together, go for walks, go to the movies, hear the noise, laugh with each other, look in each other’s eyes, talk while cooking, watch “Friends” together… what more can I say?
Some of the things here may seem obvious, small, insignificant… but it is when the bases and fundamentals are sound that you are able to launch, take off, and reach for the skies. The CPA exams was one of the bigger clouds in the sky, and I could not have touched it without Mwayi. It is my prayer that I will be half as good to her as she has been to me and help her reach her goals and be happy.
Thanks, babe! I love you!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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January 25, 2010 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
This is a series in which I am thanking those who helped me pass the CPA exam.
Mirror Image
image source: www.tech-exclusive.com
I met Joel when I was taking an undergrad Managerial Accounting class in 2004. It was a prerequisite for the MSA program [my undergrad degree was not in Accounting, so I had to take a ton of undergrad Accounting classes as prerequisites.]
I think I had missed something that the Professor had said, so I looked to my right and saw this guy I felt comfortable asking if I could copy his notes real quick. He graciously shared his notebook and a few seconds later, I returned the notebook and said thanks. From there, we talked a little bit. I think I was the one asking the questions, trying to get some info from him – what he did, how he thought about the class, etc. Even though I am quiet in general, sometimes I do my fair share of talking or joking around. With time, we became friends, and we played pool and basketball, and a few other games. He kicked my butt in all those games. I think he is one of the strongest all-around amateur players I have met. Even though we didn’t get a chance to play Chess, I would like to think I would have won!
In academics, it was nice to be with somebody who was smart, excelled when he took the time to study, could explain what he knew/studied, knew he was smart, was academically honest, procrastinated but knew that a not-good-enough grade was not an option… In some ways, I saw my own reflection. At other times, I saw somebody who was better than me, especially when he found time to study and I did not. This finding time to study was a matter of discipline. We both did well in the classes we took together. I think we both finished our respective programs in 2006.
Fast forward to a year or two later, and I was talking to Joel, and he happened to mention that he had passed the CPA exams! I didn’t know he was taking the exam! My fault. One of the many screw-ups I did in our friendship. The most serious was that I didn’t keep in touch.
Anyway, knowing that Joel had done it, gave me the drive and confidence to do it. If my intellectual mirror had done it, then I could do it. If studying for the CPA required some discipline, and Joel had that discipline, the only thing I needed was to learn and apply that discipline. This is not underrating Joel. I have always respected and admired him, and still do. [Joel passed the four exam in one shot, or straight through. I, on the other hand, retook REG. So, if there is no need to show who is "better", well, he definitely is!] The point is, he was the only person who had passed the CPA exam that I knew and could relate to. In some ways, it is similar to some people who get encouraged by reading this blog. If you spend enough time here, you may feel like you know me and we have something in common. The only difference is, Joel and I actually spent time together. We hang out a few times.
I had quite a few questions on how he approached the exam, what review material he used, how much he studied, what areas he focused on, etc. He graciously answered all my questions and encouraged me to do it – that I could do it. Looking back, I see that I did it in a different way from him, but I am sure that I applied some of the things that he shared with me.
When I passed a section or two, I told him (via email) and he cheered me on. Well, I guess I now need to tell him that I am done with the exam and that my CPA certificate was issued today!
So, this post is to thank my friend, Joel, who knowingly or unknowingly, led me to where I am today.
Joel, you are God-sent! Thanks from the bottom of my heart. I hope I was, in some way, a positive influence on you as you were on me.
Who is your intellectual mirror? Who makes you feel that you can do it? Who will be there, intellectually or otherwise, despite yourself? Who is your Joel?
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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January 21, 2010 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
This is a series in which I am thanking those who helped me pass the CPA exam.
First and foremost, God!
Where do I begin? I do not know. Even if I try to stick to just the CPA exam, I still see that I could not have gotten to the point of thinking or wanting to take the exam without being born, having the parents that I have, the people I have come across, the good health, the drive, the work experience, the faith, and so on and so forth.
I believe that I am here for a reason even though “the how” and “the what” are not always clear to me. I believe that all I have been, all that I am, and all that I will be is in God’s plans. I am not sure if that means it is predetermined, but I don’t think it is all coincidence or luck or fate or under my control. I can control my thoughts, how I spend my time, how much I study, how much I prepare for things,… but then I cannot control how other people drive on the road, or whether I get up the next day or not, and sometimes, I cannot even control whether I am able to sleep. Things like that make me feel that somebody else is looking out for me, and that, for me, is God.
I would like to mention that I say lots of prayers for various things. The CPA exam was a huge undertaking, so obviously, I prayed a lot. I prayed quite a few Novenas. I made a few promises to the Saints. I made a few “sacrifices” as I prayed. Obviously, I think, believe, and know that prayers work. So, even though I am not righteous by any means, I run to God when I need Him, [which is not the best way to maintain a relationship.] For example, I prayed to overcome procrastination; I prayed for determination; I prayed for speed, accuracy, neatness, and clarity of thought, and decision-making; I prayed for restful sleep when I was tired; I prayed for confidence; I prayed for guidance; I prayed for excellent memory; I prayed for peace of mind; I prayed for calm; I prayed for job security. I prayed for many other things that had to do with the exam, and many others that did not have anything to do with the exam. Some days I prayed “hard”, and on other days I did not pray or think about God at all.
Now, let’s fast-forward a little bit, and focus on just the CPA exams to see where I think God intervened. I must confess that whatever I put down is not exhaustive at all.
- Life, health, friends, family, peace, safety, security, money, job, great country (USA), the exam system, girlfriend, support system, another71, cpanet, twitter, facebook, blogs, [technology], etc
- some stories:
I did not have the motivation to take the exam until 2008/2009. I had tried before, in 2006/2007 and I could not go through it for various reasons even though I had purchased the material. Part of it was because I had not registered or gotten approved, another part was because I didn’t need it at the place I was working at, and nobody in the accounting dept was a CPA, and yet another reason, things were not just right for me to take the exam. There is no perfect time, but sometimes you need a few things to be in place for things to happen. If you are not approved, regardless of how hard you work or how much you want it, you cannot take the exam unless that part is done. In 2008/2009 a few things happened.
First, I changed jobs and happened to work at company where we had a bunch of CPAs and I was encouraged to go for it if I wanted to. The job I got was higher paying than the old one, so I didn’t have to worry too much about footing the bill for books, and examination fees, etc. This job was given to me by God. One would have to know more about my life story to see how unlikely it was for things to work out the way they did.
Second, my girlfriend also moved from St. Louis, MO to Dallas, TX and she was a big help during the time she was around. She provided moral support, she was willing to let me study when I needed/wanted to, she cooked delicious meals and it was nice to come home, after 10, 12 or more hours at work, to eat, talk, and hit the books. She provided excellent relaxation, which on my own, I would not have thought about or considered seriously: we went shopping together, went to the movies a few times, went for walks, prayed together, and we ranted when we needed to. Those are just some of the things. When we look back, and she tells me some of the things I did when I was studying for Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), we crack up at how obsessed I was with studying – and no wonder I burned out! I believe God gave me this girl. I hope we will have a million more days together! Again, one would have to look at my life to see the likelihood that Mwayi and I would have met, where we met, the time we met, and prevailed through thick and thin. God did it and I am thankful for that.
Third, the power of positive thinking, faith, belief,… Where does that come from? What makes you believe that things will work out regardless of how bad it seems? What makes you believe that you are worth it? What makes you believe that you are smart enough? What makes you believe that next time around, you will pass this exam you just failed? What makes you believe that even though your exam is in 3 days, and you need to study tonight, and your work requires you to stay at work until midnight or past midnight or do some work while you are home, you can still make up for the time, or study/review the right stuff? What makes you believe that if you ask God, He will answer your prayer? What gets you to believe in God in the first place? What makes you overcome procrastination? What makes you believe you can sleep 3 hours or not at all and still operate “okay”? What makes you spend a whole day without studying and have faith that what you have done all along, or what you will do after this, will be enough? In my case, I would like to think that God is there somewhere. I needed a lot of belief, positive thinking, faith, inner strength to get through the 10 months or so that it took to pass the CPA exam.
Fourth, my mom. She is a beautiful story. She brought me here, she got me here, she led me to God,… When I consider how hard it is to bear a child, raise him, support him, discipline him, love him, etc – I cannot but believe that one needs God’s intervention. When the child is me, you need God to make the decision that the child should live, that the child should not end up locked up, that a determined mom should work her magic to make sure that dust turns into diamond. I love you mom! Again, I think that the only way I could turn out the way I did, was to have the mom that I had/have. I am broken, but not as bad as I would otherwise be.
One can see that in thanking God for what I have become, I have to look at the people and circumstances that got me here. It appears to me impossible to share about God’s presence, influence, control, intervention, etc without bringing in His creation to illustrate or drive some points home.
Thus, as I write about the other people and things in the comings days, I hope you will be able to see God in them.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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December 31, 2009 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
I was looking at some SAP career info and along the way, I found a book by an SAP mentor, Jon Reed, called Resumes From Hell. Here are sample chapters. My favorite sample chapter was: “If you don’t ask, I will: The Self-Questionnaire”. I look forward to getting the book; it appears to be both funny and instructive. Good luck with your resume-writing and job-hunting if you are in search of one.
Enjoy!
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December 23, 2009 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
While I was preparing for my last exam, I managed to squeeze in some time to read, Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. One of the core ideas in the book is that “nobody does it alone”. Nobody can claim to have been successful by his or her own effort alone. Some critical success factors need to be present and they need to fall into place at the correct time. One is not necessarily always in control of those critical success factors, especially people, time, and events. I, surely, did not do it alone!
So, here is a summary (list) of the people who helped me pass the CPA exams. I hope to some day write a piece on how each of these people contributed to my success.
1. God
2. Joel
3. Mwayi
4. A certain tax Professor at SIUE.
5. A certain student in my tax class at SIUE.
6. My mom (- my family)
7. Martin
8. My uncle
9. Daniel
10. My facebook friends
11. My work friends at Matthews
12. My work friends at Everest
13. Daryl
14. Betty
15. Everest
16. Jeff (another71.com)
17. Yaeger CPA review
18. Gleim testprep CDs.
19. Michael (a twitter friend)
20. Leo Babauta, the Power of Less challenge (and the friends there).
21. ILBOA
22. NASBA
23. Prometric
24. My blogs
25. Todd
26. Jacob
27. Canada
28. More friends
29. CPAnet.com
30. People I don’t know… [restaurant servers, librarians, office cleaners, etc.]
31. You
32. My friends at SIUE
33. Brian (Philosophersnotes)
34. St. Mary
35. St. Joseph
36. St Jude
37.
.
.
.
Last: Me
I look forward to sharing with you how these people contributed to my success in the CPA exams.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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December 20, 2009 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
I just finished my Ethics exam a few minutes ago [scored 95], so I am now completely done with the CPA exams. It feels great to be done with that last part.
I had ordered the CD version of the exam. It was misdelivered about a week ago, and I contacted the AICPA. They were gracious in their reply and they issued a replacement order, which arrived yesterday after I found out that REG was in the bag. I could not start working on it yesterday for all sorts of reasons. The major one was that my personal laptop’s disk drive doesn’t work, so I planned to go to work Sunday to use my work laptop, and also to be in a study mode/mood.
I went to church and from there drove straight to work, 5 minutes away. Got lunch, and started going through the 145 pages of the CD study parket. At around page 25, I lost patience and decided to start working on the test and read as I go. That was around 1pm or thereabout. Since there are 40 questions, each question is worth 2.5 points, so if you miss more than 4 you would have to “retake” the test. I didn’t want to do that, so I took my time, verifying things. I had read somewhere, (I think it was on cpanet.com forum or another71.com forum that) even if you order the CD version, it is best to print the exam and mark off your answers even if you plan to take the exam online. Printing did not work for me because for some reason, the printers on the network were not connecting to my computer or vice versa. Lucky enough, we have Adobe Acrobat (Standard), and I could use that to mark/highlight/make notes on the PDF version of the exam. I preferred doing that to using the AICPA’s Multiple Choice Answer Sheet that came in the mail.
Anyway, so, after about 7 hours, I was ready to register online to take the exam. It was so nice to just click through as I had already marked off the answers. Of course, I verified the first few questions and a few other random ones to make sure the order was the same!
A couple of minutes later, it was 8:30pm and I got my 95. I will print my certificate tomorrow and I will send it via USPS certified mail.
I guess in the next couple of days I will start reflecting on my journey and the insights – (more like thoughts and reflections) – of this journey. I decided to take sit for the CPA exam sometime in January this year. I am showing that Yaeger CPA Review shipped my order on 1/30/2009. I paid NASBA for the four exams on 2/26/2009. I received the NTS on 2/27/2009. I scheduled all my exams with Prometric on 3/9/2009. I spaced them about 6 – 8 weeks apart. My first exam was Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) scheduled to be taken on 4/20/2009. I supplemented Yaeger with Gleim Testprep CDs and my first CD order was on 3/15/2009. It has been an intense year – school, working insane 60+ hour-weeks at times, and a few other interesting things. About 11 months later, it is nice to be done with all the CPA exams.
To God be all the glory, forever and ever, Amen!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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December 19, 2009 | Posted by Steve (cpastories)
Praise be to God in highest! What can I say? This is one of the many blessings I have received in my life, and especially in the past couple of weeks. I hope I will share them all some day. For the time being, let me share one: I have passed the remaining section of the CPA exams, Regulation (REG), with a score of 89. It feels good to be done with the endless studying. Now I can spend a day to study Ethics and get that out of the way. To all who encouraged me, supported me, and prayed for me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To those who are still studying, or are still waiting or did not pass, I wish you good luck! [To those who are wondering what State I took the exams in, so that you can check your results as well, it is Illinois - you may see that in the clipped screenshot below.]
REG results for cpastories
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.
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Categories: CPA, CPA stories, Goals, Happiness, REG, Spirituality | Tags: CPA Exam Results, CPA stories, passed REG | 1 Comment »
