CPA Exam Success Starts with Knowing Your Why

10/2/2025 - By Stacie Gaffrey, CPA

When students ask me for advice about studying for the CPA exam, they usually expect a list of resources: study guides, apps, practice tests, and schedules. And while all those things are important, I’ve learned that there’s one thing that matters more than any study strategy.

You have to know your WHY. Not the one you put on your resume. Not the one that sounds good in a cover letter. Your real, personal why.

And here’s the thing: your why doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be deeply profound or permanently fixed. It just needs to be authentic to YOU. And, it can change as you grow. In fact, it should. Because the truth is, studying for the CPA exam may not be as linear or predictable as you think.

For me, it wasn’t. It took three years and ten tests to pass. During those three years, I experienced unimaginable loss. I lost several very close family members. I studied through deep grief and heartbreaking moments. And that’s something no one really talks about. What happens when life happens while you’re trying to reach a professional goal.

No one prepares you to study while you’re grieving. Or how to stay motivated when you’re emotionally exhausted. Or how to keep going when nothing in your world feels stable. But I did keep going. Because I never lost sight of my why.

I wanted to be a strong role model for my nieces, and for my future kids. I wanted them to see that their aunt, and one day their mom, could do incredibly hard things. I didn’t want doors to be closed to me because I didn’t have the right letters after my name. I wanted to be fully equipped for whatever opportunity came next.

What I didn’t expect was to face the hardest moment of my life right as I crossed the finish line. Three days before I received my CPA license, my brother passed away.

I had looked forward to celebrating this moment for years, but when it came, I didn’t know how to feel joy in the middle of such deep sadness. That moment held both heartbreak and pride. I cried. This time, happy tears because I knew I had done something truly difficult. And I had done it while carrying a weight most people never saw.

To the students out there preparing for this journey:

This exam is hard.

It might take longer than you expect. You might experience setbacks, challenges, and even personal tragedy. But if you know your why you can and will get through it. No matter what life throws your way, don’t quit.

Keep showing up. Keep moving forward. You will pass.

And when you do, you’ll know it wasn’t just about becoming a CPA. It was about becoming someone stronger than you ever thought you could be. Your CPA journey is more than just passing exams. It’s about discovering your purpose and staying motivated through the process.

If you're ready to take the next step, explore internship opportunities at Saltmarsh and see how we support future CPAs every step of the way.

About the Author | Stacie Gaffrey, CPA Audit Supervisor

Stacie is a supervisor in the Audit & Assurance Services practice of Saltmarsh. Her primary area of expertise is construction accounting, where she has established herself as a trusted advisor to many clients. She is passionate about supporting the construction industry and takes pride in helping companies build a solid financial foundation through accurate and reliable financial statements.

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