Accountant's Musings: CPA Exam & Life Beyond

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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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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