Is there anyone studying for their CPA in their 50's?
I was a stay home mom and went back full time in 2012 when I got divorced. I had so many terrible things happen over the last 10 years, but I am finally in a peaceful place (at age 56) when I actually feel like I have the time and mental capacity to do this. I will be working for a long time. I just want to know if there are others like me!
Anonymous
03/27/24 at 1:38AM UTC
I'm 57, divorced 5 years ago; my marriage took a HUGE toll on my career, so I will be working a long time to make up for that. I am eager to get into my work, but it is very hard to get where I want to go, as I started a second career track in my 40's, and it's tough not to be discouraged... anyway, count me in!
Anonymous
03/29/24 at 12:27AM UTC (Edited)
We are in the same boat!
My marriage took a huge toll on my career and my entire life, my confidence, my mental health, everything. I too will be working a long time. I am studying and making progress while working in a job below my skill level which is a bit frustrating, but at least I can study and not work long hours with this job. There must be so many like us.
Sarah Page
Virtual Accountant
106
03/19/24 at 4:04AM UTC
I am not quite there (only 48 right now) but I just paid for my prep program. I told someone recently that it is just I, me, and my sanity at my business and my sanity just gave notice!
Star7spouse of retired military
247
03/08/24 at 3:13AM UTC
Has anyone here ever looked into the 'parallel economy' concept? Many new businesses are starting up with this idea. Basically replacing what has been trashed, pro capitalism, pro America attitude. We can't depend on anyone, including Gov't to fix this mess. It has to be us, we the people. I was going to look into Grant funds (no pay back)...why not? I pay taxes. Plenty. Just a thought.
Anonymous
03/08/24 at 1:34PM UTC
I've thought about this a lot. I want to be independent of the grind.
Star7spouse of retired military
247
03/14/24 at 3:24AM UTC
I have been feeling like this since 2008..tired of playing their games. I got caught up in life problems and happenings..now again, economy is looking not very good. I will keep my FT gig as long as possible, and have been thinking about a small side thing with a lot of automation or outsourcing while I do the FT thing. set up passive income.
Star7spouse of retired military
247
03/01/24 at 4:34AM UTC
Awe...so many in this group going through similar things, or have in the past. My life and career (that I was not able to steady establish) has been a survival mode trying to rescue it. I'm so fed up. I know I will be working for a long time too, I just turned 57. I feel like a fool, because of marriage difficulties did not help, and still not resolved. I moved around as a mil spouse for 20 years. My fear is the economy and the state of our currency. I don't' know how we dig out of this one. I used to wish there were women in this group that live near me for some friendship.
Anonymous
03/02/24 at 11:04AM UTC
Yes, I understand!! I feel the exact same way. I moved to a new state and have been surviving but that concern is always there. I was in a painful marriage for 17 years and stayed home with my kids, and always felt lonely and isolated for all those years. It is hard to recover from that. I am currently in a job below my skill level and just want to pass this test because it has always been a big question mark on my resume, as why would I not pass the CPA if I have a BS in accounting? The mental/discouragement blocks can be the hardest to overcome after years of discouragement.
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 6:30PM UTC
I obtained an MBA last year (57 years old). You can do it. Allow yourself time blocks to focus on study - block out time in a calendar. WGU states: You should plan to fit about 20 hours of school time into your schedule each week. But at WGU, where and how school fits into your schedule is up to you. I blocked out 4 hours block from 7PM - 11PM each night [unless a meeting conflict] and a large part of weekends until I finished. Note that I was accelerating the degree completion so I needed more blocks of time. Not sure how much study time a CPA would include.
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 8:13PM UTC
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 1:18PM UTC
A friend of mine went to law school at 54. It's definitely do able! Follow your heart!
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 8:14PM UTC
Wow, how inspiring! I don't feel old at 55 and it energizes me to see so many others my age being ambitious. Thank you for sharing this.
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 4:51AM UTC
I'm 57 and currently taking accounting classes with the goal of getting my CPA!
Star7spouse of retired military
247
03/08/24 at 3:08AM UTC
do you think you will get a job after? I finally finished my bachelors with honors end of 2019 in business/mgt. I was going to add finance as a minor, but I never did. Then the craziness started, family members passing, estates to clean up (still doing). I'm in wrong state, I think I need to move on, out, and maybe up. Ugh.
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 8:12PM UTC (Edited)
That's great!
Thank you for sharing this.
Anonymous
01/22/24 at 1AM UTC
My friend just graduated at 54! Super proud of her!
Pamela Schmitz
18
01/21/24 at 5:10PM UTC
Accountants are in short supply and great demand! Keep moving forward, you will succeed!
Anonymous
01/21/24 at 2:08PM UTC (Edited)
Hi, yes!
I'm also 56, divorced in my 50s, and stayed home with my kids. I made the decision to stay home after I had my first daughter. When we did the math, between the cost of commuting and day care, it made more sense for me to stay home. Before that, I was a journalist turned communications professional. During the 12 years I was home with my kids, I started some blogs, wrote a couple of women's fiction books, and started a little handmade jewelry business where I sold jewelry at vending events and online. I taught myself to do all of it. When my divorce was finalized in 2019, I went back to work full time. And working world didn't exactly open its arms to me. It's been close to 5 years, and I'm finally doing the kind of work I was trained to do, yet I'm working for a company that doesn't give me health benefits and I'm still not making the salary I made back in 2001 when I left. The sad thing is it's obvious I'm experienced and educated, but I feel ageism is very much an issue. Unfortunately we work in a world where experience and wisdom takes a back seat to youth. I swear a company would rather hire a young mediocre person rather than an experienced older person. Anyway, it has been a struggle. I also feel like the quality of working environments has declined significantly. I don't remember such toxic behavior before I left the work world to stay home with my kids. When I came back, every office I've worked in has been a circus. With all that said, I don't regret a thing. The more older women who reenter or stay in the workforce NOW the easier it will be for the generations that follow. Think of yourself as a trailblazer. I have two daughters and I never want to see them go through the same kind of troubles I went through just to make a decent living.
Star7spouse of retired military
247
03/08/24 at 3:09AM UTC
You're incredible! I truly mean that.
