5 Best Practices for Becoming a CPA

No one looks back and says, “I wish I had delayed my CPA Exam.” Find someone who’s happy they did, and I’ll buy you a coffee. The CPA is your ticket to promotions, higher pay and job security. Lawyers take the bar exam. Doctors take board exams. Why spend years in school and stop short?

And don’t tell me it’s hard. Of course, it is that’s what makes it worth something. But it’s not an IQ test, or I wouldn’t have passed. It’s a test of grit. If you want the rewards, take control. Be politely aggressive. The opportunities are there you just have to go get them. Here’s how:

1. Your internship is a buffet. Try everything. Go to meet the firm’s nights. Ask everyone what they do, what they like and what they regret. But don’t wing it — research firm size, location and clients so you’re ready for real conversations. Find one that lets you rotate through audit, tax and advisory. You wouldn’t propose on the first date. Explore what fits you before you commit. Your friend might say, Audit is great! But your friend also thinks their significant other is great (you might know otherwise).

2. Don't waste credit hours on basket weaving. While legislation that would provide an additional pathway to licensure is currently moving through the New Jersey legislature, CPA candidates presently need 150 credit hours to be licensed in the Garden State. That leaves two choices: get a master's or take 30 extra credits. If you take the extra 30, be smart — no golf, yoga or basket weaving. Build skills that open doors. Government and nonprofit? The third-largest employers of CPAs and heavily tested on the CPA Exam. Tax? You might think you’ll never touch it, but you’ll be doing plenty of it if you start your own practice. IT and data analytics? Accounting is getting more technical, and firms need people who understand compliance and systems controls.

3. Choose the right Exam section first. What section should you take first? It depends. Do you want to build confidence or tackle the monster head-on? If you’re nervous, start with a section you’re strong in. That momentum will make the rest feel easier. Otherwise, tackle the toughest first: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR). It has the most material, the lowest pass rate and the clock doesn’t start until you pass your first part. Take your time and crush it. Whichever path you take, follow this rule: Take your core section first, then its related discipline.

a. FAR leads into Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR).

b. Auditing and Attestation (AUD) builds the foundation for Information, Systems and Controls (ISC).

c. Taxation and Regulation (REG) comes before Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).

4. Pass early. You won’t regret it. Ever try studying after a 12-hour workday? It’s like running a marathon after Thanksgiving dinner. Avoid the misery — before your job makes it harder to find the time. People think they’ll have time later, but work piles up fast. Busy season hits, late nights stack up and, suddenly, years slip by. Promotions get delayed, stress builds and burnout kicks in. Use that fifth year wisely — whether you do a master s or take extra credits, knock out as many CPA Exam sections as you can. Even better, use the summer before your job begins to get ahead. It’ll change everything.

5. Plan your work. Work your plan. Even if you’re working full time, one section every three to four months is doable with just 12 hours a week: Four on Saturday, four on Sunday and an hour every weekday. Stick to mornings; trust me, if you push it later, it won’t happen. Remember, this isn’t TikTok. It’s a four-hour mental marathon. Ten-minute videos won’t cut it. Stick to a plan with periodic reviews and full-length tests. On exam day, knock out easy questions first. Running out of time? Rush through the ones you weren’t getting right any way — it’s like legalized cheating.

Be Politely Aggressive with Your Career

CPAs are in demand, and firms can’t fill jobs fast enough. That’s great news — if you take action. Want to backpack across Europe? Fine. But pass now, get your bonus and fly first class next year.

You wouldn’t let someone else order your dinner. Why let them control your future? No one’s handing you a plate. Opportunities don’t wait — so go get it.

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Peter Olinto Peter Olinto, CFA, JD, CPA (inactive), has helped over 100,000 candidates pass the CPA and CFA exams. He can be reached at polinto@uworld.com.