By Ben Rawson, CPA | Vrakas CPAs + Advisors
Discovering My Path
Finding the right career path can take time, and for many people, it’s full of twists and surprises. For me, though, accounting clicked early on. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, but as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realized that being a CPA is about so much more than math or spreadsheets. It’s about solving real problems, helping organizations grow, and connecting with people in meaningful ways. My journey to earning the CPA license was not always smooth, especially with unexpected challenges during my academic career. Every step taught me something valuable about resilience, planning, and the rewarding side of the profession.
Early Interest in Accounting
While many CPAs have countless anecdotes about changing majors or finding accounting later in their academic journeys, I was one of the few who knew early on that this was the path for me. I took high school accounting classes because I was drawn to math and numbers, but I soon discovered that my favorite parts of accounting went far beyond spreadsheets. The interactions I’ve had with accounting professionals have built a foundation for my career as a CPA.
A Change in Plans
I began college at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater as an accounting major, planning to complete 150 credits through UWW’s Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program. Everything was going smoothly until the spring of my freshman year, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. The MPA program at UWW was frozen and eventually terminated due to low enrollment, among other factors, leaving me with an unexpected question: how would I reach the 150 credits required for CPA licensure? Like anyone in the same position, I explored my options. I could double major, as many others did, but was I truly passionate about another subject? Finance was the most common pairing with accounting, but I knew I would not enjoy the coursework enough to pursue it seriously. Eventually, I decided to try Information Technology (IT), thinking that any additional knowledge in technology could only help. That second major lasted about two weeks. I ultimately realized a master’s degree would be more beneficial, not only for career development, but also because it would give me more time to study for the CPA exams.
Internships and Preparation
My undergraduate degree came and went, with two internships at Vrakas CPAs along the way. During my spring internship, I got to experience plenty of both audit and tax work. While I enjoyed both experiences and learned more than I ever could have imagined, I knew I wanted to pursue auditing full-time. I knew that my future role as an auditor would give me a platform to help businesses and organizations thrive in ways I never imagined when I first developed an interest in accounting. What I enjoyed most about auditing during my internship was the opportunity to see how different businesses operated and being able to provide insights that helped them grow stronger. My spring internship took place during my final semester of undergrad, where I then received a full-time job offer to begin after completing my master’s degree. I was thrilled to have a position lined up a year and a half in advance, but I was not celebrating just yet. With 120 credits completed, I was now eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Oh boy, it felt real now.
Lessons From CPA Exam Prep
I was genuinely excited to begin studying, but the daunting task of tackling my first exam made it feel like an uphill climb that would never end. I went into studying somewhat aimlessly, relying on scattered tips I had gathered over the years, but none that truly stuck once I opened my first Becker CPA textbook. I took my exams in the order of FAR, BEC (now replaced by the discipline exams TCP, BAR, or ISC), REG, and AUD. There was little strategy behind the order, other than wanting to pass FAR first, since I expected it to be the toughest and most comprehensive. This topic is widely debated, but I recommend tackling your most challenging exam first. While “most difficult” can vary from person to person, completing the hardest section first gives you unlimited time to pass it before the 18-month clock begins. Once that hurdle is cleared, the rest of the journey tends to feel easier. Although I had the freedom of a full summer to dedicate to studying, maintaining focus for eight hours a day proved far more challenging than I expected.
Exam Strategy and Success
You will find that distractions are suddenly very easy to discover once you begin studying for your CPA exams. If I could change anything about how I studied, I would focus less on tracking hours and more on completing specific chapters or modules each day. When I studied for a set number of hours, say three or four, I often found myself watching the clock, waiting for the time to pass instead of staying focused. Setting clear content-based goals would have kept me more motivated and reduced procrastination. In a classic “back in my day” moment, Becker CPA did not yet have the study planner feature they now offer, which helps candidates map out a detailed study schedule based on availability and exam dates. I’ve seen others use it with great success and highly recommend taking advantage of it or a similar option. The best advice I ever received still holds true: complete as many of your CPA exams as possible before starting your full-time job. Ask any CPA who took the exams while working, and they will all say the same thing: “I wish I had done these while I had the time.” Of course, not everyone has that flexibility: some go straight into full-time work after graduation and begin earning a paycheck right away. I planned my academic timeline to allow for one full year dedicated to studying while completing my graduate degree and working part-time as a graduate assistant for the UWW accounting department. That structure allowed me to pass all four exams before starting full-time, a decision I will always be grateful for. Ultimately, everyone’s timeline looks different, but the most important thing is to plan it thoughtfully. You know yourself better than anyone else.
Becoming a CPA
After passing all four exams and officially receiving my license, the sense of accomplishment was incredible. While earning my CPA did not change my life overnight, it truly felt like receiving a badge of honor. Business professionals understand the time and dedication required to become a CPA, and the license opens doors to countless opportunities that might not otherwise be possible. Additionally, there are incredible networking and professional education opportunities that come with becoming a CPA, including membership to the AICPA and CPE training. These opportunities provide easy connections to other CPAs, in addition to other business professionals, which could ultimately result in job opportunities that you would not have been presented otherwise.
Looking Ahead
Earning my CPA license was the culmination of years of study, persistence, and support from mentors who guided me along the way—but it’s also just the beginning. Each step of my journey reinforced the importance of planning, adaptability, and genuine curiosity about our work. As I continue building my career, I am motivated by the opportunities ahead and the responsibility that comes with being part of a profession that helps others achieve financial clarity and confidence. Becoming a CPA was not just a goal; it became the foundation for the kind of professional I strive to be every day. I’m proud to continue that journey with Vrakas CPAs, where I’ve had the opportunity to help clients and organizations thrive, just as so many others helped me along the way.
