The Only Way Out Is Through: Ben Hood’s Journey to Becoming a CPA

Most people wait for life to slow down before taking on something big. BryMar Audit Senior Ben Hood did the exact opposite. 

Ben’s CPA journey didn’t happen during a calm or convenient season of life. It happened while he was working full time, moving, planning a wedding, and balancing the growing responsibilities that come with advancing in public accounting. It wasn’t ideal timing—but Ben knew that if he wanted to build a long-term career in the profession, earning his CPA wasn’t optional. 

The Reality of the Process 

Ben’s first experience with the CPA exam was humbling. He started with the AUD section, believing that being in audit every day would give him a strong foundation. But when his score came back, he missed passing by just two points. “That was a real gut punch,” Ben admitted. 

Instead of letting that moment derail him, Ben used it as motivation. He retook the exam about a month later and changed how he studied. He realized reading textbooks and taking notes wasn’t his best method—the CPA exam tests how you apply the material. So, he shifted his focus to multiple choice questions and simulations, practicing in the same format he would see on exam day. 

Consistency made the biggest difference. Every night before bed, he completed around 50 multiple choice questions on his phone. It became routine—something he would do even on the busiest days.  

The Pressure of Life Not Slowing Down 

As Ben continued through the exams, life didn’t ease up. Once you pass your first section, you only have a limited window to finish the remaining exams before earlier credits expire. For Ben, that clock was ticking while his personal life was speeding up. 

His wedding was in June, followed by his honeymoon and the BryMar offsite. At the same time, his final CPA exam had to be taken by July 31st to avoid losing credit for prior sections. “I basically didn’t study in June at all,” Ben shared. “So I had from July 1st to July 31st to fully study for that last exam… and I took it on the very last day that I could.” 

Even on travel days for his honeymoon, he found opportunities to study. On the way home, he and his wife had an eight-hour layover in Philadelphia after a flight delay. Instead of seeing it as wasted time, Ben opened his CPA app and worked through practice questions. By the time they boarded, he had covered most of the material he needed. 

Mindset, Support, and Boundaries 

Behind the scenes, passing the CPA required more than study hours—it required boundaries. Public accounting can easily extend into evenings, especially at the senior level. Ben admitted that before studying, he might have logged back in after dinner to finish work. During CPA prep, that wasn’t an option. After 6:00 p.m., his time had to shift to studying. 

Luckily, he had strong support around him. Because he graduated college during COVID, his family never got to see him walk at a traditional ceremony. They promised that when he finished his CPA, they would celebrate—and they did, with a huge cookout in his honor. 

At BryMar, he found encouragement from coworkers and leadership, especially Michael and Sandy, who checked in often and reminded him how valuable the CPA is. Ben shared that the most meaningful motivation came from people who truly understood the CPA process—those who knew how difficult it is to balance work deadlines, long hours, and studying at the same time. 

Lessons Learned and Advice for Others 

Looking back, Ben says he wouldn’t procrastinate between exams if he had to redo the experience. After passing a section, he would sometimes pause to catch up on work. If he could do it again, he would compress the timeline and finish faster. He also wishes he had leaned into multiple choice questions and simulations earlier, since that approach worked best for him. 

For anyone who feels too busy to start, Ben’s advice is simple: don’t overthink it. The CPA exam has a reputation for taking over your life, but in his experience, you don’t have to give up everything. You can still have dinner. You can still see friends. You just have to be consistent and intentional with your time. 

Growth Beyond the Credential 

Earning his CPA gave Ben more than a license—it gave him confidence. The process taught him that he can learn difficult material, push through challenges, and trust himself in high-pressure situations. That lesson carried over into his work. 

Today, when Ben encounters a new issue on an engagement, he approaches it differently. Instead of simply identifying the problem and hoping someone else has the answer, he researches, forms a conclusion, and brings a recommendation forward. He described it as learning to think like a partner—asking himself what he would do if he had the final decision.  

When asked what he would tell himself at the start of the CPA process, Ben didn’t hesitate: “The only way out is through.” It’s a simple phrase, but it perfectly reflects what his journey required—discipline, persistence, and the ability to keep showing up even when life felt busy and overwhelming. 

Ben’s story is proof that there is no perfect time to pursue something meaningful. Life doesn’t pause. Big milestones still happen. But if you’re willing to keep moving forward—one study session, one practice test, one late-night set of multiple choice questions at a time—you can reach the finish line.  

And sometimes, the only way out… really is through.