HOW A 15-YEAR-OLD PASSED THE CPA EXAM AND BROKE AN 8-YEAR WORLD RECORD The Story of Jimmy Chilimigras & Kesler CPA Review
In 2023, Jimmy Chilimigras passed all four CPA exam sections at age 15. Passing the exam is distinct from obtaining a CPA license. Here is how his study resources and mentorship fit together.
James "Jimmy" Chilimigras is just like any other CPA candidate. He has a master's in accounting and met all the education, age, and citizenship requirements to sit for the exam with just ONE big difference.
Jimmy is only 15 years old (as of January 2023)!
The previous record holder for passing the CPA exam was held by Belicia Cespedes, who passed when she was 17.
On June 17, 2023, 15-year-old Jimmy Chilimigras passed all four sections of the CPA exam. Contemporary coverage reported him as the youngest person to pass the exam; that milestone is distinct from CPA licensure.
Here's his story.
HOW JIMMY AND KESLER CPA REVIEW TEAMED UP
Jimmy's story starts in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, where he is the oldest of six. Parents (John & Erin) and siblings (Clare 11, Azelie 8, Peter 5, Eleanor 3, and a baby sister on the way)!
He graduated from Western Governors University (WGU) with his bachelor's and master's in accounting before his 15th birthday. WGU worked with Jimmy to allow him to complete 60 credit hours per semester - which allowed him to earn his bachelor's in just one year and his Master's in Accountancy by age 14.
Jimmy has also accepted a full-ride scholarship to Loyola University's Law School in New Orleans. He is currently on pace to become the second youngest lawyer in history. His goal? To become the best tax lawyer in the United States.
THE START OF JIMMY'S CPA JOURNEY
I think finding a mentor is important because everyone who takes the CPA exam, it's their first time with it, and it's definitely an adventure. Having someone who's already been through that - who knows what you need to do, what's gonna be really challenging, and what worked for them - that's really something important.
- Jimmy ChilimigrasWant To Work With Bryan & Team Kesler CPA Review?
See If We're A Good Fit →WHAT CPA STUDY TOOLS DID JIMMY USE?
- CPA review materials provided through his university
- Mentorship sessions with Bryan Kesler, CPA, which the Journal of Accountancy described as twice-monthly online planning and strategy sessions
- Kesler CPA Review's test bank as an additional practice resource available at that time
📘 SECTION 1: BEC
To avoid any issues with the 2024 CPA exam changes, Jimmy opted to take BEC first. After just over two weeks of solid studying, Jimmy passed BEC on his first try with an incredible 86!
I thought the Gems were really helpful. It really summarizes what the questions are all about.
- Jimmy Chilimigras on Kesler CPA Review📗 SECTION 2: AUD
After BEC, Jimmy dove into AUD. He and Bryan discussed how Audit is arguably the most challenging section to study because the content is not always black and white. After two and a half weeks of studying, Jimmy passed with a perfect score of 75!
I wish I had spoken with you (Bryan Kesler, CPA) before making that decision.
- Jimmy Chilimigras📕 SECTION 3: REG
The 3rd section Jimmy tackled was REG. He was getting into a groove and only spent around 3-4 weeks studying full-time. Jimmy passed on 4/10/2023 with an amazing score of 85.
📙 SECTION 4: FAR
Jimmy saved the hardest section for last. Bryan recommended he spend around six weeks studying, but when a spot opened up at his Prometric Center after four weeks, Jimmy went for it.
His first attempt? A 73 - his first time failing a section. But Jimmy didn't let it stop him.
Jimmy immediately dove back into studying and within a couple short weeks sat for a second time. On June 17, 2023, he dominated FAR with an 80 - a 7-point boost!
Completing all four CPA exam sections at age 15.
🏆 JIMMY'S FINAL SCORECARD
Want to personally say THANK YOU so much for doing this and how much I enjoyed working with you. You make a difference! I'll definitely be promoting the program you developed and would love to be a part of it in the future because I honestly believe it can help people better than anything else at the most difficult challenge many people will ever face in their career path.
- Jimmy Chilimigras🙏 PEOPLE JIMMY WANTS TO THANK
- Mr. Ron Cimo - the best academic advisor of all time
- WGU for getting me to where I am now
- Dr. Raymunda Barnes (VP of Pearl River Community College) who convinced my parents to let me set my own pace
- The city of Waveland staff, especially former Mayor Farve and current Mayor Trapani
- The cities of Bay St Louis & Waveland, and the people of Hancock County
- The Bay/Waveland school district and local teachers (Coach Mike)
- The maCnarB game store family
- The lawyers who allowed me observation-ships
- Mr. Champagne and the Accountancy community
- My recommendation letter writers: Honorable Richard Mays, Sree Mandava, Philip Ryan & Greg Spanier
- Bryan Kesler for creating KeslerCPAreview
- Belicia Cespedes for setting the previous record
- My friends and most importantly, my family
READY TO START YOUR CPA JOURNEY?
If you'd like to give Kesler CPA Review a shot, attend a free CPA exam coaching session and see if we'd be a good fit to work together.
Attend Free Class →Know someone who needs CPA exam inspiration? Share Jimmy's story: