09 Apr When Is the Right Time to Start Thinking About Becoming a CPA?
For many students, the moment they hear “CPA,” their minds go straight to the exam. The focus quickly turns to review courses, testing windows, and pass rates. It is easy to assume that becoming a CPA begins with scheduling that first section.
But the exam is not the beginning of the journey. It is a checkpoint along the way.
The path to becoming a CPA starts much earlier, with decisions about your major, your coursework, your internships, and the professional environments you choose to pursue. It involves understanding what the credential represents, how it aligns with your long-term goals, and what kind of career you want to build. The exam is critical, but it is one component of a broader process that begins well before you sit down at a testing center.
The Decision Comes Before the Test
The first step toward becoming a CPA is deciding that you want to build a long-term career in the profession.
For some, that clarity comes early. Stephen Dallara, Senior Tax Associate at Blackman & Sloop, shares, “I first thought about becoming a CPA after my first intro accounting course. Once I realized that this was what I wanted to do, I knew that becoming a CPA would ultimately be very valuable for my career.”
For others, the decision takes shape gradually. Ross Stremme, Senior Audit Manager, did not begin his college career in accounting. “I was a criminal justice major, and I felt like I was not getting much value out of my education. I went to my advisor and asked what major the university offered that would provide strong financial stability and long-term opportunity,” he says. That conversation prompted a change in direction, leading him to accounting and, ultimately, to earning his CPA license.
Henry Kunz, Audit Associate, discovered his interest through hands-on experience. “I first started thinking about becoming a CPA after working in an accounting office as part of their staff for a few months,” he explains. “I started to really enjoy the work I was doing and wondered how I could take my career a step further.” He later returned to school to pursue his Master of Accounting.
While each path looks different, the common thread is not when the decision happens. It is the clarity that follows. The moment you begin to see accounting as a long-term profession rather than just a course or an entry-level role is the moment to start thinking seriously about licensure.
Starting early does not mean rushing into the exam. It means taking the time to understand what the CPA path requires so you can make informed decisions about your coursework, internships, graduate education, and first employer. That awareness gives you flexibility and positions you to move forward with purpose rather than pressure.
Planning Early Builds Confidence
Amy Ford, Campus Recruiting Manager, encourages students to approach the CPA path with self-awareness.
“I would encourage students to begin to plan out their study schedule and time frame as early as possible,” she says. “They should think about the circumstances around other exams and goals they have worked on and define what made them successful in those endeavors, recognizing the patterns. It helps to spend some time thinking about how they can set themselves up for success.”
That advice extends beyond the exam itself. Understanding how you have succeeded in the past helps you design a career plan that fits your learning style, time management habits, and personal commitments.
Henry applied this mindset when mapping out his exam timeline. “When I began thinking about taking the CPA exam, I planned it out back to front. I first set a target date on which I wanted to have the CPA exam complete. For me, this coincided with graduation. I then planned backwards to ensure I would give myself adequate time to study and work around any planned life events.”
He also aligned exam sections with related coursework so that the material would still be fresh. This level of preparation reduced stress and provided structure during a busy period.
A Realistic Perspective on the Exam
The CPA Exam is a defining milestone on the path to licensure, and it warrants thoughtful preparation. While it is not the entire journey, it is a rigorous component of it. Students are best served when they understand that reality early.
“The difficulty is understated,” Ross explains. “There is a reason that the pass rate is what it is. It is hard to juggle a full-time job, busy season hours, and studying. Many people are not prepared for this reality if they choose to wait to take the exam.”
That understanding directly influenced Stephen’s approach.
“The difficulty of the exams was the largest factor to me,” he says. “Once I knew I wanted to become a CPA, I knew that I should try to pass as many exam sections as I could before I started working full time.”
By completing and passing FAR and REG before joining Blackman & Sloop, Stephen began his career with added confidence and momentum. His experience highlights an important principle: when you anticipate the demands of the exam and plan accordingly, it becomes a strategic step in your professional development rather than a source of unnecessary strain.
While many of our team members choose to sit for the exam earlier in their careers, there is no single “correct” timeline. Some candidates take sections during graduate school while their academic routines are already established. Others carve out a dedicated window between graduation and the start of full-time work. Many also balance full-time employment with a disciplined study schedule.
The key is not following someone else’s timeline. It is building one that aligns with your strengths, responsibilities, and long-term goals. As Amy explains, “It is all about thinking through how you have been successful and what you need to do in order to show up as your best self.”
Stephen offers practical guidance for managing the day-to-day discipline the exam requires. “Try to set aside as much time as possible to study, but even if you cannot always block off several hours, try to study what you can in the small amount of time that you can manage. Even quick, short study sessions once a day go a long way.”
Choosing the Right Professional Environment
Becoming a CPA is not something you accomplish on your own. The firm you join can significantly influence both your experience and your success along the way.
Amy encourages students to be intentional when evaluating potential employers. “Will the firm allow study time on the clock? Reduced work hours? Reimbursement for study materials and exams? Bonuses for completing the CPA?” she asks. These are not minor details. They reflect whether a firm sees your licensure as a shared investment rather than a personal project.
Henry emphasizes the same point. “I would definitely prioritize a firm that not only incentivizes CPA exam success with bonuses, but is really committed to working with you as a partner on your journey to becoming a CPA.” A supportive environment can make the difference between feeling stretched thin and feeling supported as you grow.
The CPA credential also plays a meaningful role in long term advancement. As Ross explains, “If you want to be promoted, typically you will not be able to move beyond senior associate until you get the license.” The exam is an important milestone, but the license itself often serves as a gateway to greater responsibility, leadership opportunities, and sustained career progression.
A Thoughtful Starting Point
For students and early career professionals, becoming a CPA begins long before an application is submitted or an exam section is scheduled. It begins with a decision about the level of responsibility, credibility, and long-term opportunity you want in your career.
The CPA designation represents more than technical knowledge. It signals professional judgment, ethical accountability, and a commitment to continued growth. Earning it requires deliberate choices about your education, practical experience under licensed professionals, and sustained effort over time. The CPA Exam is a critical milestone within that process, but it is part of a broader framework that shapes you into a trusted advisor.
Start by understanding your state’s licensure requirements and how your academic path aligns with them. Be intentional about gaining experience that challenges you and builds your confidence. Seek mentors who will offer both guidance and honest feedback. Evaluate firms not only for the roles they offer today, but for how they support your development over the long term.
Becoming a CPA is not a single event. It is a progression marked by preparation, persistence, and professional maturity. When you approach it as a comprehensive journey rather than a checklist, you build more than credentials. You build a career defined by purpose, credibility, and lasting impact.
At Blackman & Sloop, we are committed to supporting students and early career professionals at every stage of their professional journey. If you are exploring the path to becoming a CPA and have questions, please reach out to us.