Introducing Club 75 Blogger: Allyson
Allyson is beginning her weekly column as a Club 75 Blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.
She has been a member of Another71.com’s Club 75 since November 2009.
Accounting was not my first career choice. After graduating with a BS in Graphic Communications from Clemson University in 1990, I worked in sales for a Fortune 500 packaging company for 15 years. It was an awesome job where I worked from home, had a company car and tons of freedom. The drawback was that I traveled a lot. This was fun until I had children. Then it got tough and I mean heart-wrenching. The traveling increased and I could not stand to be away from my babies any longer.
My father has been an accountant for about 40 years. His tax and bookkeeping business had reached a point where he couldn’t handle it alone at the rate it was growing. He asked if I wanted to take it over and I jumped at the chance. I could be a stay-in-town mommy. How hard could it be to go back to school and learn accounting? Oh, boy, way harder than I ever imagined.
I started on a BA in accounting when my youngest son was still crawling and I graduated from Francis Marion University in December 2008 with a perfect 4.0. My sons are now 6 and 9.
The CPA Exam journey began for me after the 2009 tax season. My professors recommended Becker CPA Review so I studied for 5 weeks and took REG in August. The week before my exam, my husband was laid off from work and I don’t know how I ever passed the exam that week, but I squeaked out a 75.
The fall of 2009 was spent studying for the IRS Enrolled Agent exam (passed!), Financial Accounting and Reporting, tax returns and CPE credits. I sat for FAR in January and made a 69.
I took it again with no studying after tax season and made a 64. I was actually surprised I scored that high. I knew I would pass in July after studying 190 hours by re-watching the lectures, redoing the homework problems, flash cards, Becker Final Review – the whole nine yards – and made a 67.
What? That is when I decided something is wrong with my strategy.
I completely wasted a summer I will never get back with my family because of my faith in my study strategy. It makes me mourn for the times we could have been at the beach, pool, movies or anywhere but at my dining room table with my laptop.
I’ve come to realize my financial reporting classes are years behind me now. I need to be re-taught the material and not just have an overview of it. The other day, I ordered Yaeger CPA Review Home Study for FAR. Being a creature of comfort and habit, I was hesitant to try a new approach but after the 67, I can not wait to trash that Becker text, now barely held together with duct tape.
So here I am a year later, waiting on an AUD score and about to start from square one with FAR. The Yaeger package should be on my front porch steps when I get home this afternoon. After the holiday weekend of relaxing with old friends, grilling out, going to the pool, and enjoying my life again, I feel rejuvenated and ready to plan my attack.
-Allyson
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Your determination is so motivating! Keep it up!!!
Way to go Allyson! You can do this!
Allyson, throughout this year your support was very important for me. Thank you. I think Yaeger is the trick that will do it for you. Best regards.
People crack me up when they bash the study materials. All of the CPA exam reviews pretty much have the same 1500 problems…you have to work (and understand the problems / concepts) bottom line.
I also started with Becker. I am in the middle of my studying for FAR again, but this time with my new Yaeger materials. It seems to be a better fit for me. Best of luck!!
You will like Yaeger I think. I am trying it as well after a 71, 72 and 74 in FAR. I am thinking Becker stayed at such a high level on some topics. Yaeger breaks it down and Cindy works problems with you. I am liking it better than Becker for FAR. And the previous poster is correct, it’s the same questions. BUT I think teacher instruction is key and Yaeger does that. I follow you in the forums. I’m LSU_BR. Oh and I am pulling for you
Allyson,
I think you will like Yeager. Cindy does an excellent job. If you don’t mind me asking,What software do you use for your bookkeeping service? I am also a EA who would like to offer bookeeping service’s. Thanks
Way to go Allyson,
Keep up the good work and best of luck to you. I am sooooo pulling for you!!!
you have a beautiful family!
Allyson, I am very interested in hearing how you feel about Yaeger – I am currently using Becker and was thinking about switching also. Good luck!
Hang in there Ally. Those old friends who spent the weekend with you know you can do it!
I don’t want to come across as a Yaeger commercial, I’m just saying I need something different this go-round for this section. I used Becker for Auditing and think they did an excellent review. There was nothing on my Audit exam I hadn’t seen in Becker.
Angel, you are so close. I’ve been following you, “Florida Candidate” and “magic 8 ball” too. I am pulling for all of us!
3/4 CPA, we use Dillner’s Full Contact. It is expensive and we are trying to get away from it, just haven’t had the time to learn something new while doing the CPA exam.
Allyson – It’s great to put a face with the name. I will keep following you in the forum and look forward to grade release next quarter with you.
Allyson – finally you are a Yaeger convert! I will be taking FAR this window using Yaeger and we can beat this exam! I have been reading your blogs and like what you wrote.