What the CPA Exam Taught Me About Accounting, Audacity, and Becoming

The other day, I shared a post celebrating 8 year anniversary of passing the CPA exam, and how that 3 a.m. score release became the beginning of my work teaching Accounting and coaching future CPAs.

I love reflecting on this experience because it reminds me that great things have come to me when I lead with audacity. I had no idea when I was going to pass the CPA exam - but I knew that day was coming. The story started long before that 13th score notification email from NASBA.

Before I became Coach Nikki or Professor Winston, the CPA exam took me THROUGH it.

In addition to my blog here on NikkiWinstonCPA.com, I also write about Accounting careers on Substack and Threads.

How It Started: Accounting Dreams

I’m a proud graduate of The Max M. Fisher College of Business at Thee Ohio State University.

One of my memorable places is Fisher Hall. The last time I walked out this building I found out that I passed my audit class. I was at ALL of my professor’s office hours. It wasn’t hard, I just didn’t like audit and it’s hard for me to learn something I’m not interested in.

Nikki at Fisher Hall at The Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

I knew that I loved financial accounting and all things general ledger. I remember being in undergrad at Thee Ohio State University wondering what accounting looked like in real life.

Is it really all these spreadsheets and case studies? Do accountants think this hard everyday? Do I want to pursue this as a career? The answer to all of those questions is a solid YES.

I couldn't wait to graduate and found out. An Accounting career was so exciting for me that I went straight to work instead of studying for the CPA exam. I'd get back around to getting my CPA license but right now, I was ready for skirt suits and stilettos and staring out the window from the 39th floor while my tea brewed in the break room.

Career tip: Go with your gut and pursue your passions. As an accountant not only will you always be in demand, you have options.

Should You Take the CPA Exam Right After College?

If you Google that question, most of the search results tell you to sit for the CPA exam right after college - for various reasons:

• The Accounting topics are fresh in your mind

• You have more time now while you don't kids

• It accelerates your career growth

Then you have ME, going left when everybody else goes right, telling you to do what works for you.

The CPA exam has evolved and unfortunately Accounting curriculums haven't all caught up to that. So even if you study straight outta college, it doesn't make your study schedule any easier. There are college students who are already married and/or have kids. I've seen CFOs who are NOT CPAs and didn't even study Accounting! Don't let the antiquated perspectives from the internet decide for you.

Nikki Winston, CPA | Accounting Instructor & CPA Exam Coach

I was 10 years into my career when I locked in on becoming a CPA. I'm forever grateful to my NABA family, mentors, and fellow Black CPAs who not only talked me out of my excuses but also inspired me to go for it.

Studying for the CPA Exam While Working Full-Time

When CPA candidates ask me to help them with the CPA exam, I ask them 2 questions before we start working together:

1. What's your WHY? You have to have intestinal fortitude for this. Your WHY has to be more than because you need the CPA to get promoted or because you want the public accounting bonus. If you're studying for the CPA exam for the wrong reasons, you'll find out once you get stuck on a simulation or fail an exam.

   
   

2. Does your boss know you're studying for the CPA exam? I ask this because if you're studying while working, your employer can sponsor some, if not all, of your CPA exam expenses. I mean, they will benefit from you getting your CPA license so an investment in your development isn't a reach. Also, you'll likely need flexibility or a modified work schedule as you study.

If your employer isn't willing to invest in your professional development at this stage, that says a lot.

Let me give you the "land the plane" version of my CPA exam experience:

I decided I was gonna sit for the CPA exam. I enrolled in a review course and set a plan to be done with all 4 exams, FAR, Audit, BEC, and REG, in 6 months. I had 2 babies at home, ran a corporate Accounting department, was the CFO of my family business, and still trying to have a life. Those 6 months became a cycle of passing, failing, passing, failing, failing, losing credit, over 1,373 days, which led me to June 29, 2018.

People hear my story and have said "SHIT girl" as they try to fathom what that's like. Was it worth it? Would I do it all again? Absolutely.

How's It' Going: I'm an EDUCATOR

Years ago, I repeatedly said to myself, "I'M AN EDUCATOR."

Now, here's me on my first day of class...

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f56982_3e6dcf694aa04137b9ad5552ef5ee8e4/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Nikki Winston, CPA, Accounting Instructor | Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

I am that because I said so. There was no university appointment attached to that statement. There was no classroom, no syllabus, and no students calling me Professor.

There was simply a belief that (1) teaching is bigger than a title and (2) you become what you tell yourself. This Spring semester, life handed me a full circle moment.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments in life are the ones where the world finally catches up to something you already knew about yourself.

I walked into a classroom at Georgia State University to teach the inaugural CPA Exam Preparation course, and for the first time, students called me "Professor Winston." Every time I heard it, I smiled because of what it represented. It confirmed something that I had believed for a long time.

Teaching is not defined by a classroom. A classroom simply gives teaching a home. I can teach the material because I know the material. I can mentor the students because I have lived the journey. That combination changed the classroom experience for all of us.

When Peter and the School of Accounting entrusted me with this course, they gave me the freedom to build it. I created the curriculum covering Accounting concepts, CPA exam strategy, how to use course materials, and professional development. I developed quizzes and practice exercises, and looked for ways to make an overwhelming amount of Accounting content feel manageable.

What surprised me most was that some of the most meaningful conversations in class had very little to do with the CPA exam.

I would often begin class with a simple question. "What questions are on your mind today?"

Sometimes that question opened the door to discussions about accounting careers, public accounting, corporate life, networking, interviewing, compensation, leadership, and navigating uncertainty.

Some days we barely touched the lesson plan.

Those conversations reminded me that students want support beyond technical Accounting topics. They're looking for perspective and want to learn from someone who has sat where they sit today and understands where they hope to go tomorrow.

When I became a CPA exam coach it was to show candidates - especially those who look like me - how to think differently about what we do as CPAs and the value we add to every organization.

As our industry evolves so must the academic curriculum to ensure we’re planting the right seeds in our accounting students.

~Nikki