Inspirational Stories of those who passed the CPA Board Exam

[krash13]

Thanks for putting-up this thread. let me share my story of passing the board.

My journey of becoming a CPA is a series of numerous failures and agonies. And I used those two things to keep motivated and continue the fight.

Born in a very poor family living in the squatter’s area somewhere in Rizal. I. My mother and father are jobless and we only have a small store where we sell lutong-ulam and some grocery items. Our condition served as my inspiration to excel in school – both in academics and non-academics. Being the eldest among the siblings, the weight is on my shoulders. I want to give my parents what they truly deserve – the good life. I managed to graduate at the top of my elementary and high school. But when I was told by my mother that they cannot send me to college, I almost lost all the hopes in the world. I was in tears at that moment as I tried to understand our situation. But I said to myself that I won’t give up the fight. Being poor shall not be a hindrance to achieving my dreams.

Dream ko talaga noon pa na makapagtayo ng school para sa mga mahihirap na kabataan tulad ko.

So I tried to find ways to support my studies. Plan A is to look for a scholarship assistance since I don’t want to work while studying as much as possible due to health reasons. I applied to various scholarship programs – both government and private. Luckily, I was able to pass the exams and interviews and I was able to be entitled to two scholarship programs. I enrolled in the nearest ,accessible and affordable school.

I found the course interesting as early as Day 1 in college. Motivated and inspired again, I gave all my best to conquer every subject. Para kasi saken, napakalaking pribilehiyo ang mag-aral sa college nang libre kasi nga mahirap lang ako kaya dapat pagbutihin ko talaga. But my everyday life in college was not easy. There were times na di ako makapasok kasi wala akong baon or kahit pamasahe man lang. Yung mga allowances ko kasi sa scholarship ko binibigay ko rin sa parents ko para sa pagkain at sa pag-aaral din ng mga kapatid ko. Madalas akong late dahil kelangan ko munang magtinda sa umaga para may pamasahe ako papunta sa school. Basta hindi ako sumuko. Give lang lahat ng kayak o. Until one day nalaman ko na lang na nagta-top na pala ako sa mga exams at dean’s list. The professors noticed me kasi nga lagi akong late pumapasok pero kahit na ganun, ako lagi ang nangunguna sa buong campus. So they asked me why I was always late. I told them the truth. So they endorsed me to the school President for a full scholarship grant (no tuition and other fees from then on hanggang sa review!). sobrang iyak ko sa tuwa nun! Tuwang-tuwa ang parents ko kasi they can see the light now at the end of the tunnel.

Ok na lahat until a few days before my college graduation at masaya na lahat kasi may latin honors ako, when I received a text from my younger brother that my mother was rushed to the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital, I found her body in the morgue. Heart attack! Yon na ang pinakamasakit na nangyari sa buong buhay ko. Wala na ang taong inspirasyon ko at pag-aalayan ko ng tagumpay ko. Sigaw ako nang sigaw sa ospital nun ng “Bakit di mo man lang hinintay ang graduation ko? Konti na lang ‘ma CPA na ako. Unti-unti na tayong makakaahon”. From that time on, alam ko na na nasa akin na ang pinakamabigat na responsibilidad sa pamilya.

Natapos ang malungkot kong graduation (unang graduation ko na wala *** taong nagsasabit lagi ng medalya saken) – ang nanay ko. Armed with scholarship privileges in the review schools due to latin honor titles and grants I won on inter-school accounting quiz bees, I enrolled at CPAR and PRTC (Yung iba siguro ditto, nakikila na kung sino ako). Weekdays sa PRTC and weekends sa CPAR. Focus talaga ako kahit mahirap dahil nandun pa rin yung lungkot ng pagkawala ng nanay ko at may sakit pa ang tatay ko. Pinagkakasya ko ang 3K na allowance sa loob ng isang buwan para sa pagkain at pamasahe ko. Tinitiis ko na lang ang gutom ko nun basta makapasok lang sa review class. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, this is it! This will be the major turning point in my life. Ang goal na na-set ko noon is not just to pass the board but to top it (ambisyoso noh?!) Kelangan akong pumasa, maraming bibig ang umaasa saken. I made a personal review schedule and I was able to develop my study habit on it. Lagi kong dala-dala sa bulsa ko ang picture ng nanay ko para ma-energize ako kapag nalulungkot ako or inaantok or tinatamad mag-review.

When the CPA Board result was released, sigaw ako nang sigaw sa kahabaan ng recto sa sobrang saya! Wala akong paki kung pinagtitinginan man ako ng mga tao dun na parang baliw – umiiyak habang sumisigaw at nakangiti! Di man ako topnotcher (top 22 , unofficially) proud pa rin ako kasi di biro ang pinagdaanan ko makuha lang ang lisensyang yon.

Moral of my story: Every success begins with a vision.

truly inspiring. share ko sana yung akin kaso kukunin ko yung back pay ko sa office para may pang tuition at pang review ako. naiyak ako dito

[krash13]

Wow, very inspiring ang thread na to. Parang gusto ko nang magwork ngayon pa lang kahit disoras na ng gabi. Medyo matagal ko na kasing naiisip kung para sakin ba ang accounting. Parang naappreciate ko na siya ulet. Magshare na lang din ako, at sana maka-inspire kahit papaano. Medyo di lang cry-worthy ang istorya ko ha.

=================================

Mediocre student lang ako non. At medyo wala din akong background sa accounting, sabi lang nila okay daw, kaya ni-take ko. Bait din ata ng erpat ko sabi ko kasi gusto kong maging pulis, ayaw, NBI na lang daw at pwede daw CPA dun

Freshman pa lang, frustrating na.. most of my classmates may pre-accounting nung HS, so huli na ko kagad. Pero feelingera ako, so sabi ko keri ko yan. Fundac 1 pa lang, badtrip na saken prof ko kasi nahuli niya naguusap kami nung katabi ko, pero mas badtrip ako sa kanya kasi ako lang ang pinagalitan niya, diba por que ba di ako mukhang studious? . At yun nga dahil di na namin feel ang isa't isa, yun ang pinakamababa kong grade sa buong buhay ko. Hirap pa, kasi ang daming kelangan i-maintain sa accountancy. Pero ayos pa din, napasa ko naman lahat ng exams at namaintain ko naman lahat ng dapat i-maintain (pati ang ganda. lol).

Nung nakapasa ako, mas madami ata nagulat Yung prof ko nung nakita ako sa dinner for the passers, kung sigurado daw ba ako (pero joke lang naman, na half-meant). Yung tsismosa din naming kapitbahay, tsinismis pa yung nanay nong kaklase ko, nagtataka din daw dahil lagi daw akong absent sa review school (hindi to totoo, nagweekends kasi ako dahil hindi ko kaya ang sobrang aga at araw araw na pasok, magastos at nakakatamad sa layo).

Nagaaral talaga ako, di lang obvious. At nagdadasal din, di nga lang din siguro obvious pero si Mother of Perpetual Help ang hiningan ko ng tulong, so every wednesday asa baclaran ako non. Nahilingan ko na kasi si St. Jude nung gusto ko magkaBF (joke) nung qualifying exams. Pero nagkaBF din ako niyan, but that's another story na.

Sorry napahaba, pero ang point ko kaya ko din nabanggit yung college life ko, wag niyong hayaang idikta ng iba ang kakayahan niyo. Kayo ang nakakaalam niyan. At wag niyong hayaang i-down kayo ng iba. Wag pa-pressure. Maswerte din ako kasi hindi ako nagkamali ng piniling review center, yung kakulangan ng inspirasyon ko sa mga teachers ko sa undergrad, nakita ko ng sobra sa review school. ReSA nga pala ako. Yun lang. God bless sa takers..

magdadasal na din ako kay St. Jude.

[johnp]

Very inspiring lahat ng stories. To all, congrats for passing and holding on to your dreams.

[cuterdanyou]

Mga kuya's at ate's sino na po sa inyo ang nakagawa or mayroon CPA Stories Compilation pwedeng makahingi po... tagalang nakakainspire po mga stories nila/nyo.... paki send nalng po rreeddeenn5@yahoo.com..... salamat po ng madame..TIA

[gracenice20]

galing naman... Very inspirational ****.. Sana ako rin someday eh makapagshare, di pa nga lang ngayon.. Nasa battlefield pa lang kasi ako eh, wala pa akong napapatunayan sa sarili ko. But thanks po sa lahat ng ng-share ng stories nila, alam kong mapaghuhugutan ko un ng lakas in time..^_^

[jakey_shakey]

I hope their fates also become an inspiration to those who want to become a CPA. >>>

Who sits in the BIR means a lot to the audit clients of SGV & Co., which represents over 60% of the top 1000 corporations doing business in the Philippines, and they tend to relax if the Commissioner is an SGV alumnus. Check who among PNoy's trust appointments came from "The Firm".

[BOLBIgirl]

nakaka inspire naman anG lahat ng stOries dito!! haha!

kaHit na sophomore pa lang ako feElinG ko eh magboboArd na akO bukaS' haha!

napapAisip tulOy ako na hinDi pweDe anG mgA katamAran kO! haha!
(nagaarAl naman ako pero sa tingin ko parAng di pa sapat yung ginagawa ko)
sipag lang! haha! kaya yan! ^^

salamat sa lahat nG stOries!

[judge_ojo]

may blog ako... dun ko nilagay mga experiences ko nung nag-aaral pa lang ako ng accounting... naka-survive naman ako... at cpa na ako *****... pero nag-aaral na din ako ng law... i think effective and efficient ang study habits ko kasi kahit ayoko sa accounting at kahit marami akong oras mag-internet at kung anu-anu pang mga activities, dire-diretso lang ako...

[uniquecpa]

Hi everyone! im moira, and here's my story:

i passed the cpa board on my first take (praise God) last october 2004, batch 52 of cpar (last batch at the historic Isabel bldg).

i was born and raised in baguio, but due to my father's nature of work our family was relocated here in dumaguete right after my hs graduation. and so i started my first year in college at st. paul college dgte (now a university) i chose accountancy b/c 1) i already had a good deal of overview from hs regarding engg subjts and i knew that engg wasnt for me 2) i want a profession that is cognitively challenging yet not physically demanding because 3) i have a physical disability called osteogenesis imperfecta type I also known as brittle bone disease hence i have a small stature ( i only stand 3 feet tall)

at a tender age, i already knew that im in for one challenging life ahead. and so i learned to appreciate how precious education (something others just take for granted) is to be successful in life and to accept whole heartedly my disability as a gift rather than mop over something that cannot be changed. i am unique, and i knew then that somehow God has something wonderful in store for me. this wonderful hope i kept as a driving force to be constantly determined.

transferring to a whole new environment took its toll on me during my first years in college. i had to endure the emotional sickness called loneliness. i was contended with 'just passing' grades, until sometime on my 3rd yr 2nd sem as i was struggling to solve and understand a problem, finally God's voice has gotten thru the thickness of my heart and woke me up saying 'do you think this kind of attitude will lead you anywhere in th future? is a failure the only end point to everything you've worked hard for and fought for?' with a renewed spirit and fully charged determination, i made a personal ultimatum: i want to and need to become a cpa in order to be a living proof of a successful struggle and be an inspiration to whoever needs it. i then realized that in order to become one, i have to strongly pass all my subjects esp my majors, and it so happens that our passing grade and cut off grade to be cum laude are the same, and so i determinedly said to myself that in order to become a cpa, i must graduate cum laude. in short, being a cum laude was the means towards my end - a cpa.

but lo and behold, life has its funny way of testing your dedication. suddenly, all the roadblocks came piling down one after the other. i had to face disappointments along the way when i felt that i didnt get the grade i deserved after pouring out all my energy esp in my majors. but then God immediately made me realize my mistake and that is: i persevered to gain my professor's approval and praise instead of His. and so lesson learned: people are hard to please you'd only get disappointed, whereas if you offer everything to Him who truly knows what you're going through and values how you made it and not the result, you will always feel appreciated and loved another hurdle to conquer was our family's financial woes... my father was unemployed and all three of us were in a private school, two in college. this hurdle was truly hard to handle because although we're no strangers at being financially challenged, it was an added pressure on my part. aside from handling the pressures at school, i had to help my mom find ways to finance our needs esp our tuition. after my graduation, which didnt have room for even a simple celebration but still we were happy because we were complete and i had my medal as cum laude, i had to face the ultimate battle ahead: the dreaded cpa review... aside from the fact that we dont have the means to support my review, though good thing my tuition at cpar was free, we could barely afford my board and lodging what more for both me and my mom since my dad wont let me go unless i have my mom with me, he just wont let me under the care of other people... i just offered everything to Him, i said Lord, ikaw na po bahala sa finances namin and ill take care and concentrate on studying. true to His promise and ever the cpa Himself, He granted my blessings, JIT or just-in-time the money i needed to buy boat fare for me and my mom arrived just days before my classmate's scheduled buying date, and then our internet cafe was finally bought by our on again of again buyer, two days before our scheduled departure for manila. while on board the superferry, my mom and i prayed earnestly that the rvm sisters who owns the dorm we were to stay for six months (iclh ladies dorm) would be merciful enough to accommodate and allow us to share one bed since we only had money to spend for one, as for my mom's meal she'd just volunteer to help at the canteen. when life gives you storms of problems ahead, God gives the light and paves the way for you. day after arriving at the dorm, we were called by the dean of border's... she told us that after seeing us arrive she and her fellow rvm sisters immediately held a meeting concerning our situation since the rooms start at the second floor and that though i insist im ok with going up and down just two flight of stairs, they said it could still be dangerous esp during meal times pg sabay2 mgsi.baba.an ang mga boarders. she also asked regarding how we would pay and so with enough courage, i bravely told sister regarding our predicament. as a child of God, she whole heartedly understood our situation and graciously offered the infirmary, which was located on the ground floor, as our room which has two beds and a private cr, and on top of that they offered it gratis... once again, God always provides just in time

and so i started my first day in cpar breaming with hope from our rvm sister's unconditional love. since my professor in college enrolled us sometime november, i got my seat at the middle of the room already... but i was still optimistic that my roommates who were able to get front seats would be kind enough to exchange seats with me after seeing my condition. sad to say i was in for some disappointment again... the owner of the seat wouldnt agree and she insisted to have her seat. i understand how badly she needs it but then i just hoped she would be kind enough... my mom immediately looked for a way and went to the registrar for help. while my first class with dean bobadilla was on going, my mom, mam registrar and sir valix (i didnt knew then that it was him) peeped thru the door and after the class requested instead for the guy seated beside the door to exchange seats with me, though he wasnt quite happy either... during that first day i felt so alone with cold people, even though we shared the same dream... it was also my first time to have a class with 200 classmates... if this is the way my review would be, begging for cold people's mercy, i was on the verge of giving up... but God wont... mam registrar and Sir Valix was His instrument to find a way, and the light came from a warm soul at the morning class who graciously offered her seat (thanks jaq, you know ill forever cherish you ) later on i found out why, she definitely understands me because she also has a brother who is a special child, we ended up being good friends with the rest of her barkada from san sebastian

first pre board came, and though i passed i wasnt at all happy with my performance. i wasnt physically fit when i took our first preboard, add to that the pressure of taking ur exams elbow to elbow in a jam packed classroom. though i arrived 30 mins b4 exams started i wasnt early enough to be seated comfortably. the good thing was, i already knew how to prepare for the final pre board and ultimately the real exam... and so before our final pre board, i prayed hard that i wont be sick or ngarag. i also prepared a placard saying: pls reserve this seat for disabled cpa reviewee, thank you., and attached it in my seat which of course i asked first for the approval of mam registrar and sir valix. when i arrived may nka upo na uli, so my mom was about to scold him but he immediately apologized. it was good though that he also passed, good karma perhaps anyway my efforts paid off, and i was able to place in the top 100. though of course i was happy, i didnt let it into my head and instead faced the challenge that comes with it. they say that cum laudes and some top 100's are cursed and that most of them, esp laudes, dont make it in the end. though it hurts initially, i wasnt worried at all since i didnt work to achieve those honors anyway, im persevering to become a cpa, kung baga bonus points ko nlng kung ano mang added commendation na dumating

it was also during review that i was able to feel the depth of my purpose. one ordinary review day, as we were driving(wheelchair) my way thru class in a sea of reviewees, a girl suddenly approached me and handed a note and immediately left. her note said: "you dont know me po, but i just want to let you know that you inspire me everyday, thank you po " wow! i was so hard pressed at working to achieve my dream, i hardly noticed the impact im bringing to my co reviewees. i didnt know helping others could come so effortlessly my being in a wheelchair proved to be a gift for me also, because during filing time in prc, i didnt have to endure long lines and terror staffs, instead i was quickly ushered inside the office with warm and friendly staffs to assist and encourage me as well. i was also exempted from being assigned alphabetically during the actual exams, instead i was assigned to take it at the prc annex bldg which has an elevator also because prc was near my dormitory

during our pre week, ill never forget sir macmod's empowering msg for us. he told us that we, reviewees, are like soldiers and they, our mentors and reviewers, were our generals who have strategically trained us to conquer the arrows(exam questions) aimed at us by the persecutors (examiners). but again when it rains, it pours. and just days before the actual board exams, truck loads of events came. there was this emotional drama between me and some of my classmates that happened days before the exams, and then just night before the first day, there was earthquake... though the quake wasnt quite major, still it was enough to shake ur nerves... and so again i prayed, very much harder this time... i asked God to defer the pain... i told Him, Lord please dont let me feel the pain, utangin ko muna, let me feel it after the board, my courage and strength is exclusively reserved for the battle ahead... gosh, now i know how it really feels like to be inside a pressure cooker... the review, unforgivably has all kinds of pressures... emotional pressure, analytical pressure, family pressure, peer pressure, financial pressure, physical pressure-i had to master the art of studying lying down without feeling sleepy in order to rest my back; also in a way i felt pressured to give it my best in order for the sacrifices and blessings i received from various people esp my mom would be worth it... you'll experience all of this in just one sitting, that's why i could say that passing the cpa board is not meant for the weak at heart...

on my very first actual exam, which was toa, the realization that this is really it, not mid terms, not pre boards, not dry runs, this is it, the very it... the feeling was just so dreadful, i almost panicked and lost myself... good thing i immediately felt God's reassuring warmth and that was enough to last me thru this grueling ordeal... the difficulty in preparing and taking the exams, could not measure up to the agony of waiting for the results... after every exam, i always make a self evaluation on how i did, and somehow u urself would now if you did a good job or not... but when i heard that the results were finally in, poof, all my confidence just vanished like a burst bubble... i was in the waiting area in our dorm when i heard it from a fellow boarder, and i was immediately washed out, pale white, staring blankly at the isabel bldg in front of me and just thinking 'there are so many graduates from the best schools, for sure candidates from upd would all make it, sobrang dami rin ng candidates from ust, la salle, slu, ateneo... and only barely 20% of us would make it... ano lang ba ako? im just a speck... would i even be fortunate enough to get thru that thin line???' the steps i took to go to cpar and see for myself were dreadfully heavy... everything was a blur, parang nka lutang lang... i arrived at the registrar's office and saw people cheering, but most of them were crying and that increased my anxiety... i saw sir jack de vera and he was reading thru the list of the top notchers, and of course im not included and so i tried the registrar and i found her beside a fax machine spewing endless papers...
moira: mam kasali po ba ako?........
mam registrar: ah... (she cant pronounce my family name) basta ____, moira besario????
moira: (ever so tiny voice) opo?.....
mam registrar: Pasado!!!
bang! that was the very moment i knew the definition of surreal.... wow.... just plain wow... i heard my mom crying silently behind me all the while sir valix was shouting: i knew it! i knew you'd make it!, and he was like my father, he hugged me tightly and he was also crying funny thing was, i wanted to cry too but i cant, i guess the the feeling of relief overwhelmed me more, its like a huge thorn or yoke was instantly lifted from my poor weary shoulders... whew! finally i could breathe easily...

it was indeed the sweetest victory i have ever and ever will experience... this is a story of faithful perseverance like how the saying goes: if you cant put faith in urself, at least have faith that God will always be faithful to you... of treating all kinds of challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks... of finding your dream and be profusely passionate about it, never feeling tired or bored... of knowing that the most beautiful mornings always comes right after every storm... of staying true and standing firm to what you believe in regardless of intimidation and doubts... of being constantly filled and sustained by my family's unconditional love, esp my mom's untiring and unceasing dedication since the very first day i started school... you may not know me, but i leave you with a fervent hope that somehow i shed some light and inspiration to you that indeed nothing is impossible as long as you honestly work hard for it and that it is God's will for you May you also find your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, GOD BLESS FUTURE CPAs!!!

p.s. to all you cpas-to-be i dedicate the song Make It Happen by M.Carey

If you believe in yourself enough
And know what you want
You're gonna make it happen
(Make it happen)
And if you get down on your
knees at night
And pray to the lord
He's gonna make it happen
(Make it happen)

I know life can be so tough
And you feel like giving up
But you must be strong
Baby just hold on
You'll never find the answers
if you throw your life away
I used to feel the way you do
Still I have to keep on going
Never knowing if I could take it
If I would make it through the night
I held on to my faith
I struggled and I prayed
And now I've finally found my way

[charmangel83]

@uniquecpa

With the situation you had, you’re UNIQUE indeed!

I believe….. “The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure”, and it seems failure is not in your vocabulary!

to you!

So to all reviewees out there, i dont think you have any more reasons or excuses not to pass the board exams!

[logan2004]

Hi Guys, I am working as a Headhunter and in connection I would like to invite you to explore career opportunity  we have different client from diverse industries. We can assist you in exploring the market for any Finance and Accounting related positions (across all levels) for both local and multinational companies. Please PM me and I would be glad to discuss further details. Thank you and hope to hear to anyone of you here in the group.

Regards,
Logan2004

[logan2004]

Hi Guys, I am working as a Headhunter and in connection I would like to invite you to explore career opportunity  we have different client from diverse industries. We can assist you in exploring the market for any Finance and Accounting related positions (across all levels) for both local and multinational companies. Please PM me and I would be glad to discuss further details. Thank you and hope to hear to anyone of you here in the group.

Regards,
Logan2004

[glomarie]

thanks a lot for sharing your stories. It helps a lot to those who are still inspiring to become a cpa like me. after reading all the stories here, i become more determined to do all what it takes to get that license. Wish to read more stories here that will continously inspires me and help me to be focused on what i really want to achieve.

[uniquecpa]

thank you very much charmangel i do hope so many will find strength with all our varied stories here

to glomarie, just maintain the proper balance of prayer and hardwork and you're poised to find your own pot of gold God bless!

[logan2004]

Hi Guys, i am a headhunter and i would like to invite you to explore career opportunities - looking for someone in in FINANCE and ACCOUNTING, - across all LEVELS

I would be glad to assist you exploring the market PM me if you are interested

hope to hear from you soon! Jean

Regards,

[pazbobadilla]

another inspiring story

During my review, I can’t help but look forward to the day of my tribute and be inspired. I’m always daydreaming about talking and inspiring – of sharing my experiences during my CPA review and the board exam itself. And here I am, divulging, what a fulfillment.

I have a question – do you “really” like to be a CPA? If yes, you’ve driven the right path. If no, you should ask yourself immediately, why? Or you should directly ask yourself, am I on the right road?

I passed the CPA Board on my second take. When I had my first attempt, I flunked. I guess because of health issues and anxiety issues. It’s true I had early signs of rheumatism and heart ailment but it was not a very good excuse because I saw a crippled man in a wheel chair who passed the same exam. The real reason of my failure was because anxiety or fear won over me. I became so afraid. I was too scared to fail and too troubled to live in an unfamiliar place that the review requires. I became afraid because I did not like what I was about to do. And honestly, I did not like the thing that would completely fulfill the road taken by a BSA student – that, being a CPA. My situation led me to be uninterested and unmotivated. I only went to the review during weekends and sometimes I even failed to attend.

I guess it’s true, that whatever thing you think might happen and you keep playing it on your mind, it will eventually happen. And so it was. I failed.

At the time of my failure, practical feeling would be the ultimate feeling of humiliation. I really felt that I became a total embarrassment for my school and more importantly, for my parents. I can’t help it, but there are other people who are like: “Ah, Cum Laude iyon ah, bakit bagsak?”, “Wala palang binatbat iyon!” I felt like I became this hard core loser. Being a loser, I said to myself that I have to win. I have to try again to remove the feeling of being a loser. I don’t anymore mind what other people tend to say, what revolved on my mind was, “I have to win, I have to be a CPA!”

I figured it out that in my case, failure was the primary motivator. The failure was like a wake-up call! At that time, I built the likeness – the one thing I lacked during my first attempt. Ironically, the moment I flunked – the moment I wanted to be a CPA so badly. So I have a tip for you guys, I encourage you to like it as early as possible for you not to experience the despair I had! And like it with all your heart. During my college days, the cliché question was – “Do you like to be a CPA?” I always said, “Yes”, but deep in my mind and heart it was blank. Little did I know that this question will have a big impact on my future. It was just recently that I realized that “likeness” was really important.

I never hesitated; I convinced myself that I will do whatever it takes – for my school and for my family.

First thing I did - I prayed. Prayer really changes things. I’m not saying that I didn’t pray during my first attempt – I did pray – but now, I prayed differently. I did not just asked God to, “Please let me pass”, instead I asked God to change me and He did. I was refreshed and I had a very good outlook on what lies ahead.

I also convinced myself to live in Manila. At the start, it was kind of difficult. The surroundings were different (it was more polluted there). The food was different (takal-takal system). And the sleep was different (I have to wake up real early). But I knew that in order to gain, I had to sacrifice. And as time went by, it became easier.

I also studied, seriously. For me, the CPA Board exam itself is really hard but the Review is a lot harder. Blessed are those students with a solid foundation in Accounting Subjects during their undergraduate studies because review for them will be easy. But, for those students who are on the other side, you have to take the review really seriously. I was one of those who are on the other side. The review process became really hard for me. There are plenty of unfamiliar topics. But I had a technique that made the process of learning for me easy. First, I took each step at a time – I don’t jump to the harder ones first, I see to it that I took the stairs at its first step. Second, I asked myself why – Why? Why? “Why is it that in this accounting method, the treatment is different?” I don’t memorize the procedures but I try to know the logic behind. I proved that during the exam you’ll depend most on the logic you’ve absorbed than the words or formulas you’ve memorized. Third, I slept – I make sure that I had a good sleep every night. I never slept late except Valentine’s Day and PBB Big Night. Sleep is the ultimate food for your brain. Group study also helped me a lot. When you live in a dorm, you will get to meet new friends from different provinces. Remember, you are not alone in the battle. It became really effective for me to talk to other reviewees about concepts and theories. I really absorbed and recalled all the ideas quickly. Studying seriously doesn’t mean that you have to devote all your time just studying, make room for play but know your priorities.

The review months were actually fast because I was in a routine basis. I get to do the same things every day. The only thing different was the topics I was studying. Then the examination came. There are seven subjects; here they are in chronological order: Management Services (MS), Business Law and Taxation (BLT), Theory of Accounts (TA), Auditing Theory (AT), Auditing Problem (AP), Practical Accounting 1 (P1) and Practical Accounting 2 (P2). May 24 was our last examination day and I can’t sleep that night because the results will be out next day. I just realized that the hardest part was not the exam itself but it was the time that you are waiting for the results. The waiting was different from the last time I took the board. Because right now I know that I did my best unlike before. The fear was strongest at this stage. But then I prayed, specifically, “Lord, I’ve done my part. Make my efforts successful”. And He did. It was a success.

The experience for me all boils down to one thing, “If you want to achieve something, don’t stop believing – hold on to the feeling”. The feeling of being a CPA – like it, claim it and it will be yours.

I would like to thank Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, the College of Business and Accountancy, the Faculty, and especially Dean Paz – she will always strike you with motivation and encouragement, although, sometimes, it will hurt your feelings, but she surely knows that it is for your own good. And thank you to the higher power out there, I know you read thank you sleeves all time.

So eaglets, fly high!

Ask God and He will give it to you!


ROMMEL OBCEMEA, CPA

[-chiz-]

inspiring ang stories dito.

+1

[sporokotoys]

I don't know if my story is inspiring. Kayo na lang po ang humusga.

And this is how it goes: When I was young, my parents always tell us (me and my 3 others brothers) na "ambobobo nyo! Di bale na di kayo makakuha ng honor basta 'wag lang kayong bumagsak!!!". So I grew up with that mentality and low self-esteem.

I never failed 'though I never got an honor or any recognition also. I usually pass the exams even without reviewing. And I only came to realize that I could have done better (be a better student or be a cum laude) when I started getting recognition from my brod & sis in the fraternity, where I belong, by consistently topping the departmental exams and by becoming a 3 time champion in an inter-organizational (where I represent my fraternity) quiz bee at the latter part of my college days.

After graduation, I find myself short of finances to support my review so I decided to join the military as an officer but unfortunately I didn’t finished the training due to an accident inflicted to me by my senior officers. Luckily, my salary wasn’t cut immediately by the AFP so I manage to save a little for my review.

On my review, I said to my self that I will seize the CPA board exam to redeem my self from the mistake I have done in the past so I aimed to TOP the CPA board exams. So I read a lot and aimed for perfections. I set a commitment on my self that I would never sleep until I finish reading at least 1 chapter a day and that I must finish reading everything else one month before the actual exams. I even manage to read a whole book (TOA) within 48 hours without sleep on the week of final pre-board. Before the actual exams I took a whole week of rest to have a good mental and physical condition.

On the day of the actual exams, everything run smoothly as I expected and as I leave the room I immediately felt that I passed the exam. Kinabahan pa rin naman ako but that’s because I’m excited to know if I made it to the TOP. Kaso mukhang sumobra ata ang yabang ko coz I never made it on TOP at muntik pa akong bumagsak. I’m really disappointed with my score; I want it to have re-checked pero di na raw pwede. I think back and think hard what could have happen why my score is that low then I realized may be it was because of my shading ‘cause on the subject were I redo my shading I’ve got a 96%. But that’s life, time to move on.

As I enter the corporate world, I find my self not so competitive. My manager is a Cum Laude and a CPA. My supervisor is a Cum laude, CPA and CMA. And I’m just a regular CPA. So I look for a second redeemer. That’s the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) Certification which I took and luckily passed at first take. I also aimed to TOP this certification but again I didn’t make it on Top. But this time I’m thankful. Naalala ko tuloy yong sinabi ng isang reviewer sa CPAR that “aim for the stars, so if you fell short you still land on the moon”.


By the way, always seek gods blessing. Pray hard and stay smart.

Sporokotoys
CPA, CIA

[3triangles]

thank you very much charmangel i do hope so many will find strength with all our varied stories here

to glomarie, just maintain the proper balance of prayer and hardwork and you're poised to find your own pot of gold God bless!

wow,galing mo,you are indeed so much unique,more power

[Ibex637]

Nag college ako na di ko alam ano kukunin kong course then nag engineering ako dahil sa tingin ko ok yung math ko sa high school. Umabot ako ng 2 1/2 years sa 2 schools. After nun dahil sa parang di talaga para sa akin yung engineering because of having a failing grade sa major subjects at kasalanan ko naman dahil di ako pumupasok sa class. So I decided na mag shift ng ibang course at pano ko gagawin yun? Eh dahil sa gusto ng mother ko na mag nursing ako kaya nagkunwari din ako na mag bsn pero dahil sa hindi nakatake ng entrance exam for nursing, so ibang course naman ang option ko. Graduate ng Law ang father ko kaya naisip ko na mag pol sci dahil im sure susuportahan niya ako dahil gusto niya na maging lawyer ako. But because sa dami ng proseso para mag shift ng course with the same school di pa rin ako nakapag enroll sa pol sci. Ibang dahilan naman ang gagawin ko para maka shift ng course and my last option is to transfer ng school and find what course ang itatake up. Because of my personal interest, sabi ko sa sarili na mag accountancy na lang ako kasi sigurado ang trabaho, in case na magretire father ko may sure work na ako and he is a CPA. Then enroll na ko sa bsa 2006.

During my first year sa college, I mean sa bsa course dahil galing sa engineering lots of adjustment pa sa school dahil irregular ako and iba't ibang tao ang kasama ko per subjects. I have no idea about the course and what is accountancy. Even yung assignment ko sa accounting 1 pinapagawa ko lang sa sister ko kasi former bsa student rin sya and end up FMA dahil sa major subjects. Then a brethren of mine who is also bsa graduate encourage me na mag aral ng mabuti sa under grad dahil sabi niya hindi raw imposible na mag top kung pinaghandaan sa under grad, so yun rin ang ginawa during my first year and naging service scholar ako nung second sem where i realized how valuable ang oras dahil kung kelan mo gusto mag aral hindi pwede dahil kailangan mag serve sa school. And I got high grades in all my major subjects and a passing grades for my minor subjects...hehe

2nd year in college, I try to work in greenwich pero 1 month lang ako dahil mas makapagod pala kaysa maging service scholar, so I promise my father na magfofocus na lang ako sa studies ko at yun rin naman ang ginawa ko. Then dun sa friend ko na nag inspire sa akin na magaral ng mabuti habang undergrad, everytime na magkikita kame laging accounting ang pinag uusapan namin especially dun sa mga topics na di ko alam. This year rin ako nakapag asawa ng wala sa oras because of some personal reason so dagdag naman sa pasanin ng magulang ko at di pa ako graduate. I'm very fortunate na instead na may asawa na ako eh nakakapag aral pa rin ako with the help of my parents dahil di lahat nagkakaron ng ganitong pagkakataon. Regarding naman sa studies ko medyo ok pa pero di na ganun yung pag aaral ko but still i did try my best. Patapos na ang 2nd sem may nag offer sa akin na magwork sa small construction firm as accounting staff. Sa umaga trabaho then sa gabi ang klase. Minsan ako lang ang naiiwan sa office so nag iinternet ako searching kung pano mapapadali yung pag aaral ko tips regarding sa pag prepare sa board exam. And suddenly napunta ako dito sa PEX way back 2008 yung pinaka unang thread ng cpa review. Everytime na mag iinternet ako lagi ako nagbabasa dito until nakilala ko si sir larry dito sa pex.

3rd year, madalas na ako nagbabasa dito sa pex especially dun sa mga experience and what books and reviewers ang magandang pag aralan na shinashare ng mga reviewees as well as sir larry and sir anson. Eto rin pala yung pinakamahirap na part kasi kapapanganak lang ng asawa ko so another adjustment na naman. 2 months pa lang yung baby ko at nag down yung construction at lumipat sila ng cebu wherein di ako pwede sumama sa kanila so wala na akong work and thanks God may offer na work sa wife ko so palitan kame. Ako nagbabantay sa morning and afternoon then klase sa gabi. Ang hirap mag alaga ng sanggol, di ko nga maisip kung pano ko nagawa yun. Then one day ni try ko i pm si sir larry sa ym to ask kung ano2ng mga reviewers ang magandang gamitin and suddenly nag reply din si sir and i'm happy na sinagot niya mga queries ko. marami akong tinanong kay sir hanggang sa na share ko rin ang status ko sa kanya. Ang di ko makakalimutan na tanong ko kay sir larry is "pano ko paghahandaan yung board exam inspite sa status ko and ang sagot ni sir larry " you need Divine intervention". parang naibahan ako sa sagot ni sir larry although tama naman na i really need divine intervention pero kung dasal lang man ako ng dasal pero walang ginagawa at aasa lang eh di useless din. Feeling ko tuloy na parang walang chance na makapasa sa kalagayan ko pero I consider it as a challenge. So everytime na nakikita ko si sir larry na online lagi ko siya chinachat and I'm very thankful na tinutulungan nya ako and giving tips on what to do. (sir larry, sorry po kung hindi ko po nagagawa yung lahat ng sinasabi nyo sa akin pero i did my best na mgawa, like nung pag gawa ng mga notes sa index card...)

4th year, ganun pa rin. bantay ng bata sa araw at klase sa gabi kaya hanggang madaling araw ako nag aaral ng advance topic dahil ang laging nasa isip ko ay yung board exam at hindi yung mga quiz sa klase. Ang masakit sa akin ay yung nagkakasakit ang anak ko kasi umaabot na ma confine sa ospital. Di ko alam kung anong gagawin ko at salamat sa Dios na may magulang ako na sumusuporta sa kakulanga ko as a father, feeling ko wala akong kwenta. To cut it short although mahaba na, natapos ko rin yung bsa within 4 years.

During review, may 29 2010 pa magstart ang review pero may 5 pumunta na ako ng maynila para makapaghanap ng matutuluyan at makapag enroll na sa review center kasi galing pa ako ng mindanao. Kahit na walang sapat na budget na nakalaan para sa review ko pero tumuloy pa rin ako at suportado naman ako ng tatay ko. Pero yung allowance ko depende pa rin kung may dumating na pera or sweldo kasi di pa dumarating yung hinihintay na loan intended sa review ko. first few months ko sa review, talagang inspired na inspired ako for my family at sa batch namin ako lang ang naglakas ng loob na magtake ng october exam after graduation. Although may mga difficulties na naeencounter so deadma na lang, tuloy pa rin ang goal na maging cpa. nagvivisit pa rin ako sa PEX everytime na mag online ako, and then 1 time nabasa ko yung experience ni ate inspite sa kapansanan niya, actually napaluha rin ako sa kwento niya pero di lang pahalata kasi nasa internet cafe at may mga tao..hehehe then naalala ko rin yung story ni underdog sa pinoycpa.com which pinost din niya dito sa pex story niya at napaisip din ako na what if sa akin din mangyari yung ganun na di naabutan ng mahal sa buhay yung pagpasa sa board exam especially yung father ko dahil siya lahat gumastos sa pag aaral at review ko. One day nagkaron kame ng di pagkakaunawaan ng asawa ko to the extend pati pag rereview ko naapektohan dahil na nga malayo sa isa't isa, tiniis ko na lang although gusto ko na umuwi. Sumunod noon ay nahulog yung isang libo ko sa wallet, di ko alam kung pano nangyari na dapat pang bayad ko sa boarding house pero no choice ako pinaalam ko sa tatay ko kahit na nakakahiya. ilang araw ko rin nilihim na nawala yung 1k dahil nga dagdag pasanin naman ulit. Na realized ko na kung yung 1k na nawala sa akin ay napakasakit na what more pa yung bumagsak sa board exam dahil mababale wala yung mga pinaghirapan na pera at oras. Pinilit ko na mag aral kahit na naprepresure na ako sa isang subject na feeling ko na wala talaga akong alam na kung tutuusin yun yung subject na marami akong materials kaya nakakahiya talaga kay sir larry kasi yun yung lowest ko sa preboard. Inspite dun tuloy pa rin ang laban total preboard pa lang naman, so di ko na masyado nagpa presure para makarecover. August 23, 2010 yung nangyari ang hostage taking ni capt. mendoza. Habang pinapanood ang hostage drama tumawag ang tatay ko at kinamusta ako at tinanong kung nasa site ba ako ng hostage taking baka nakilkiusisero rin ako. August 25, 2010, wed at klase namin kay sir valdez at 12pm tumawag ang nanay ko at binalita sa akin na nagpaalam na ang tatay ko at di ko alam ano ang magiging reaksyon ko kaya kahit di pa tapos ang klase umalis na ako at umuwi ng boarding house at dun umiyak ng umiyak, gusto ko na sanang umuwi na sa amin total nandito pa sa akin yung bayad ng boarding house na gagamitin kong pamasahe pero sabi ng nanay ko saka na lang pag na set na ang libing saka ako uuwi. Thur and fri pumapasok ako sa review center para makinig na lang pero emotionally wala na ako..Pag uwi ko ng zamboanga saturday kinondition ko na sarili ko na talagang wala na ang tatay ko, na kahit anong iyak ko di ko na maibabalik pa ang oras kung kelan buhay pa siya kaya sabi ko babalik ako ng maynila para ipagpatuloy ang review at mag take ng board exam. A day after ng burial bumalik na ako para ipagpatuloy ang review pero di pala ganun ka dali dalhin emotionally na ipapakita mo sa tao na ok ka lang pero ang totoo hindi. Umpisa ng updating klas pumapasok na lang ako para makinig sa klase at di gaya ng dati na may time pa para mag review sa bahay. After sa review center, pahinga na at ang madalas ay yung naaalala ko yung tatay ko tapos iiyak ng patago. After ng final preboard bumaba ng husto ang average ko kaya naisipan kong uuwi ng lang total babagsak rin lang naman ako, magseself review na lang ako for may 2011 exam.Thanks God nung sinabi ko sa nanay ko na uuwi na lang ako ang sabi niya wala raw siyang maibibigay na pamasahe dahil wala pang nata2nggap.. Bad trip talaga ako masyado during pre week dahil yung schedule ng pre week di nasunod..absent kasi yung reviewer namin sa tax at hindi man lang iniwan na lang ang answer key so walang class that day. Then yung reviewer naman namin sa AT/TOA nag walk out naman dahil sa mga reviewee. Yung ibang co-reviewees ko hinintay nila si sir na baka i continue and gabi na rin yun at umuwi na lang ako at hihingi na lang ako ng answer key sa kanila. SAbi ko sa sarili ko baka di talaga pa sa akin yung maging CPA dahil nawalan ng nga ako ng tatay tapos ganun pa ma experience sa pre week kaya pinapasa Dios ko kung ano ba ang dapat. After ng 1st 4 subjects, feel ko parang papasa ako dahil nasagutan ko naman lahat so sabi ko sa sarili ko condi na ako dahil tapos na yung 4. 2nd week ng exam, remaining 3 subjects, confident ako sa AP at P1 na at least 65% yung sure ako na tama at sa p2 naman medyo alanganin na feeling na baka ma condi ako. Monday morning nag yaya ang mga kasamang reviewee na maglaro ng basketball habang naghihintay ng result. tapos na kame maglaro pero wala pang resulta kung pasado ba o bagsak. habang naglalakad papunta sa isang supermarket para bumili na mga iuuwi sa amin, tinext ako ng kasama ko na nakapasa na raw ako sa board exam. Di ko alam ano dapat ma feel dahil masaya ako dahil nakapasa at nalulungkot din kasi di na naabutan ng tatay na makita ang anak niya na pumasa sa exam. Yun pa naman ang gusto niyang makita na makasama ang pangalan ko sa mga list of passer. And currently nagtuturo ako sa school kung san ako graduate at lagi kong sinasabi sa mga student ko na habang undergrad pa lang dapat mag aral na sila ng mabuti at ipakita nila sa mga sumusuporta sa kanila na hindi nasasayang yung pinaghirapan nila at habang nandyan pa na kasama nila.. Pasensya na medyo mahaba although pinaigsi ko na pero mahaba pa rin...hehehehe
Thanks be to God with His unspeakable gift.