[Anonymous]

Hi All-

I’ve been doing private accounting for about the last 4 years. I never thought in my wildest college dreams that I would become an accountant, actually love it, and want to become a CPA! The only problem was my lack of accounting coursework because I graduated with an undergrad degree in Finance, then completed my MBA a few years ago while working full time. Now, I am just about ready to wrap up by final two CPA pre-reqs (Auditing and Cost Accounting) then begin this wonderful journey – haha.

My question for the board is more of what to expect. I’m currently working 45-50 hours a week as a Sr. Accountant for a non-profit, private university. Any advice for trying to accomplish this feat while still putting in some good hours? Is there a particular order to take the exams that has proven beneficial with the 18 month window? Study techniques for the married, working people? I’ve seen suggestions about studying 2-3 hours during the week, then 6-8 on the weekends? My wife is anxiously ready for me to start so I can be done, but knows that this will be a committment.

Any other advice is welcomed.

Adam

[smp73]

Hi!

I work full time (not married) and studied. I would wake up early and get in a half hour to and hour before work, study on my lunch hour and listen to the audio at work. After work I would aim for 2 or 3 additional hours. Most weeks I gave myself Friday night off. Knowing I had that break coming was important. I would get at least 5 hours a day on the weekends if it was not a power weekend. If it was a power weekend all bets were off.

If I had a spare few minutes at work I would sneak in a few MC or some flashcards. Just make the most of my time. You can do it. I found it best to set a schedule and stick to it!

Good Luck!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[jsmithsae]

First of all, Congrats on getting your classes wrapped up! Now, the hard part begins…passing the exam.

Most everyone has a conflict or two, but we all have to decide if we want to pass the exam or not. Can you continue working 50hrs a week and pass? Absolutely! You just have to be willing to make a sacrifce(or two) along the way.

Regarding your comment on studying, I hope you mean 2-3 hours DAILY. You need to choose an exam prep course and stick to it. Becker recommends 40+ hours a week and the longest section, FAR, should take no more than 8 weeks total from beginning to test date.

Make sure you and your wife are mentally prepared because this journey can be long and trying, but the end result is worth it! Realistically, this will take you a year…very few people pull it off in 2 testing periods.

Good Luck!

BEC-75!
AUD-84!
REG-78!
FAR-83!
Ethics-Passed!
Experience-Got that too

Used Becker 2013 Self-Study & NINJA 10pt Combo Lite(AUD)

[SammyJ]

Hi Porter,

I would also spend some time looking into the requirements for you state. I know for me, California requires me to work at least 1 full year under the supervision of another CPA. I don't know if you can get your 1 yr. experience(if needed) from yoru university. So a career change might be imminent if you follow this CPA path. So if possible, maybe ask your current employer for less hours. 30 hours would be great if you can get away with it. Then you can spend perhaps close to 20 hours each week studying for these exams.

The order of the exam I would suggest is Financial, Auditing, Regulation, Business. FInancial typically has the most material and usually is the hardest. You want to take this first because remember your countdown window for 18 months doesnt begin until you pass your first test. You don't wanna end up passing Auditing and REG quickly and then struggle passing FAR. So give yourself that additional try by taking it first. And while waiting for your score, study for the next exam. Do not wait. You are only shooting yourself in the leg.

I am speaking as someone who studied without big family obligations and no job, so I had all day every day to focus on these exams and I still failed Auditing. So don't get down on yourself if you don't get everything on the first or even second try. You have to cut yourself some slack too. Spend Fridays away from the books. Don't kill yourself or else you'll lose motivation.

I dont know if you already bought material, but I highly suggest Becker books. They are great and explain everything so in depth. Try to get a used copy if you can. Those may be hard to find. And complement it with the Wiley Test Banks which you can find on this site. I think you can buy 4 test banks for only $200. They give you around 1000-1200 MCs and 40 SIM for practice and you gotta do 150-200MC every day. I suggest first reading the Becker book, every page, and write your own personal notes on binder paper. Don't buy notes. Write your own. THen do the MCs.

Good Luck!

FAR-81!!
AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
REG-86!!
BEC-81!!
Education- Done
Ethics- August 2013
Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. Yes, 2-3 DAILY was what I meant. My boss is the Chief Accounting Officer who also is a CPA, so no need to worry about that as I've been with the university for a little over a year now.

With regards to begin studying for the next exam right away. If FAR is the hardest, is it still beneficial to move on without knowing if I passed? If you don't pass and you are already studying for AUD, do you just scrap AUD and go back over FAR?

[sdgh1826]

Porter,

That would be your call if you want to go back to a section. Depending on several variables, it might be beneficial to continue with AUD if you're about done with the all of the chapters. I also recommend scheduling seperately, don't pay your NTS all at once. Pay for FAR first, then AUD after. Work around them first before moving to the other sections.

Working on MCQs s**ks but that's were most of the learning happens. I've only done BEC and getting ready for my retake on the 29th. For sure, each section is difficult in its own way, so don't underestimate any section. Give it your all. Good luck.

Becker 2012, NINJA notes

[smp73]

When I failed REG the first time I was already knee deep in studying for AUD. I did not go back to REG. Failing gave me insane motivation to study for AUD though. The reason I did not go back was 1. I was way into studying for AUD and 2. I did not want to kind of restudy for REG. I knew I needed to let time pass so I would truly re-study and learn what I did not know when I took it in the first place.

That is just my 2 cents. Might not work for everyone…but you can schedule exams so you do not have to wait terribly long for scores so it can also create a nice break before you jump into the next section. Something to consider!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Author]

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