Becker periodically highlights students' success stories, providing a space where they can share their experiences, how they overcame challenges, and passed the CPA Exam. Ogochukwu Obiagwu, CPA, shares her success story, one decade in the making, below.
Where the journey begins
Ten years ago, I walked into the accounting & finance class at Westland High School and there were only 6 of us! “This is it?” I thought. And so it began, Ms. Camden, my first ever accounting teacher, started breaking down the fundamentals of accounting. Her former student Vanessa visited our class to share her experience at the Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio), and I was determined to get in.
Fast forward to the summer of 2015, I was blessed to be 1 of 45 in the state of Ohio accepted into ACAP. During the program, we were introduced to the Big 4 accounting firms, and for the first time ever, I learned about resumes and professional branding, and I got to network with peers and keynote speakers. After attending ACAP hosted at The Ohio State University (OSU) Fisher College of Business, I was convinced Ohio State would be my home for the next four years.
Dr. Cynthia Turner, CPA, undeniably was a major highlight to my incredible week at ACAP. Marking history as the 1st African-American to complete her doctorate in accounting at OSU and also surviving breast cancer, she showed me you can truly get through anything and everything, especially with a strong faith. Dr. Turner, Mr. David Harrison, Mariah Scott, and Meg Struble were just a few of the many great mentors I met during ACAP. These connections inspired my pursuit of the CPA and pushed me to excel.
Early college: An accounting student's journey
In 2016, my journey began as an accounting student at The Ohio State University. I was blessed to attend OSU on a full-ride scholarship, as a Morrill Scholar through the OSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion and as a Koch Scholar through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Throughout undergrad, I was dedicated to the promotion of diversity and accounting initiatives. This included serving as Philanthropy Chair for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) OSU Student Chapter, and participating in the Becker Professional Education Student Ambassador Program. I was also proud to be a part of Dr. Cynthia Turner’s inaugural Project THRIVE scholar class, where we volunteered in elementary schools teaching financial literacy with Junior Achievement.
In 2018, I attended the Ohio Society of CPAs Accounting Careers Leadership Academy. I was also selected to attend the AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW), on an all expenses paid 2-day conference, where I networked amongst my accounting peers. At ASLW, I drew more inspiration from thriving professionals who pursued different career paths with their CPA.
I learned so much from participating in a wide variety of corporate scholarships, internships, and/or leadership development programs with companies such as Microsoft, Deloitte, PwC, EY, JP Morgan, and more. From 18 credit hour semesters, to studying business abroad in Germany, to interning in Australia with EY, my undergraduate journey was an unforgettable one. The best way I could express my gratitude was by paying it forward, lifting as I climb, and spreading awareness about accounting opportunities, especially for underrepresented minorities.
During college, I created Secure That Bag, a student consulting service where I supported my peers in securing scholarships, internships, conference opportunities and more. Through my LinkedIn platform and website blog I shared my journey through college, corporate, and personal life. I was invited for different speaking engagements, went back to volunteer for the 2018 ACAP-Ohio program and hosted personal branding and financial literacy workshops across different organizations. I figured there was more value in sharing trials and tribulations, not just the wins.
After graduating
By 2019, I secured my full-time offer from EY in their technology risk practice. I continuously reflected on the many opportunities I’d earned and how blessed I was. As an aspiring CPA, I completed over 170 credit hours in undergrad to earn my CPA eligibility within 4.5 years. Not only did my final semester of undergrad end during the peak of the global pandemic, but I took my audit final exam during labor as a first-time mom!
After graduation December 2020, I began studying for the CPA, despite personal life circumstances that made the journey more challenging. Very quickly I realized the financial burden the exam would have. Thankfully, EY covered my Becker CPA prep course and initial exam fees and the financial support I was awarded as a winner of the Aspiring Black CPA scholarship from the National Society of Black CPAs gave me hope.
The CPA journey begins
Like many recent grads, my goal was to study first and start work after. March 2021, I started to study for the CPA exam, with my 4-month-old baby in one hand (or on my back) and my Becker Online course in the other. Postpartum kept getting more and more challenging, especially during the global pandemic where there were very few smiles or hugs, just masks and distancing.
As I mapped out my CPA game plan I figured it was best to start with BEC, especially since the AICPA was preparing to change that section of the exam quite soon (Note: This was before CPA Evolution took effect in January 2024 which eliminated BEC in favor of choosing a Discipline section). I also figured based on CPA Exam pass rates and curriculum, it would be the most straightforward section (which proved to be true). My son and I spent so much time in the library, I’d bring breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The librarians would even help keep my son entertained while I studied, bless their hearts.
June 2021, I took my first CPA Exam section, and it was my first time being away from my son for that long. Needless to say I wasn’t ready. I remember asking the exam proctor if I could call to check on my baby during our exam break, and when he said no my heart sank a little. The first exam was brutal, not because of the material, but because I was in physical pain the whole time! I struggled due to engorgement as a breastfeeding mama who hadn’t ever been away from her baby for more than 30 minutes before.
I left the exam hall feeling defeated. I knew I was not the first new mom to take the exam, nor would I be the last, so I thought of ways to connect with other women who had been in my shoes before. I found the CPA Exam Moms FB group and couldn’t believe how many other women could relate with trying to balance pandemic stress, postpartum, and exam anxiety, the support there was incredible.
Before I knew it, my first score was released. Although I was heavily sleep deprived and ran out of time to complete my study plan, I scored 72. Needing 75 to pass, I was so hopeful because technically I got a 96%. I figured once I got through the full textbook I definitely would pass and move along to the next section, but I was in for a rude awakening.
My full-time role with EY was set to start August 2021, and when it got closer I had to reconsider my options, because realistically I had no capacity to juggle single mom life, studying, and Big 4 all at once. Finally September 2021, I passed BEC and as ecstatic as I was to finally have some skin in the game, I quickly realized this journey might just take a lot longer than I had bargained for.
CPA Exam challenges
Next up was the AUD section of the exam. What I thought would be a journey of study, test, and pass, became a cycle of struggle, tears, and retakes. I often said the hardest part of the exam was never the exam content, it was having to stay focused despite life...lifing.
From the gut wrenching 74’s, to sleeping off during exams after late nights with my son, to rushed ER visits, to racing against the clock of expiring credit, it was an unimaginable rollercoaster. Once I realized the CPA was less about accounting, and more about persevering through life and maintaining focus, my study gameplan evolved. Instead of only building my study schedule based on chapters, and quizzes, I scheduled everything from mealtimes to playdates. My revamped study plan consisted of home, family, work, and study time blocks. At a time when unpredictability was the norm, my color-coded, multi-tab study plan spreadsheet mapped my focus.
The CPA exam is a 4-part exam. The rules are, you must pass ALL sections of the CPA exam within 18 months of your first pass or you start losing credits (Note: Many states have extended this to 30 months, so it's important to check with your individual state's guidelines.). Therefore, having passed my first exam in September 2021, I had until March 2023 to complete the remaining exams: AUD, FAR, & REG, or I would lose credit for the exams I already passed. The race was on.
Continuing through added challenges
In a rushed effort against the BEC credit expiration clock, the majority of the exams I took in 2022, I tested underprepared and had not even finished my Becker prep courses. At first, I joked with my friends that the Becker material is so effective that even when I didn’t finish their prep course, I still got near passing scores. However, with my Big 4 audit busy season around the corner, and exam fees piling up, it was not a joking matter. Studying started to become depressing.
The most coincidental circumstances started to complicate the process more and more. Even securing an exam seat at Prometric felt harder to land than trying to get Beyonce or Taylor Swift tickets, the seats went so fast! I usually scheduled my tests at the very end of the test windows to avoid a long wait before score release, and most times it worked in my favor, until it didn’t!
In Q1 of 2023, I faced my most dreaded high stakes exam, REG. Again, not due to the rigor of the exam, but due to the time crunch I was in. In fact, I found REG to be the most exciting to learn because it was the most practical. REG was the one exam I knew would prepare me the most to help the everyday person with personal finances, taxes etc.
REG was meant to be my last exam, the exam where if I hadn’t passed I would forfeit my credit from passing the BEC exam. At the peak of the pandemic, I recall COVID outbreaks causing Prometric exam centers to close and exams getting cancelled, but that was 3 years ago! Therefore, nothing could’ve prepared me for the heartbreak I felt the night before what was meant to be my final exam.
Just as I prepared to go to bed before tomorrow’s big day, I got notified by Prometric that my exam was cancelled! I was in such disbelief and felt defeated thinking about all the time and money it took coordinating childcare, family, work, and study schedules. I was especially devastated because my BEC exam credit was on the line. Moments like that, and many other unbelievable moments during my CPA journey made it easy to give up.
Instead of giving up, the trying times served as a reminder that just like my Mom, Dr. Turner, Mr. Harrison, and the many others who had supported and inspired my journey thus far, my only option was to achieve.
I wiped my tears and immediately searched for a way to reschedule the exam for the same day, but my only option was to take it in a different city! Determined by faith, I made the long drive out of town and tested. Still NO pass!
(image of my schedule balancing parenting, CPA Exam prep, and life)
Finding encouragement in community
Once I lost my BEC credit, it was my final straw and I was truly prepared to give up at that point. However, thanks to support from groups like NABA CPA Bound, we pushed, supported, uplifted, and celebrated each other like no other.
After many resilient tries later, I passed my final CPA exam the morning of my son’s BIRTHDAY, a timing none other than God could’ve planned for!
If there is one main piece of advice I can give to anyone who feels hopeless in their CPA journey, it is to keep your faith and PLEASE join a study group. Having other study friends or accountability partners who have a similar lifestyle as you (working, parent, etc.), is such a game changer. In those circles, CPA candidates learn from each other about navigating family situations, schedules, and work responsibilities all while studying.
Through NABA CPA Bound, I met other moms who had similar exam timelines and study schedules as mine. At times we would wake and study from 4 to 7am on zoom / FaceTime, and other times study late at night after our kids were asleep. Sometimes we would do quiet study sessions while everyone is on mute, other times we would practice sets of 10 multiple choice questions (MCQ) or discuss how we approach simulations.
As our exam days neared, we would text each other random questions or pop quiz MCQs throughout the day to keep the material fresh. Connecting with candidates from NABA CPA Bound, Becker Facebook study groups, and the many other online groups through Facebook or Reddit, you meet so many other candidates you can relate to and learn from. I am forever grateful for Becker Professional Education.
Through Becker’s CPA prep course, their partnership with employers, and sponsorship of programs like NABA CPA Bound, Becker has truly made a monumental impact on my CPA journey. For those on the fence about what CPA prep course to use, choose Becker, and soon your CPA testimony will be yours to share, even if life happens along the way.
Thanks to Ogochukwu for sharing her experience! We're so glad she was able to persevere through challenges and found the support and community that is so important to succeeding.
If you're ready to start studying for the CPA Exam, see how Becker helped Ogochukwu and nearly 2 million CPA candidates with a free 14-day trial of our CPA Exam Review.
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