[Soproudofmyself]

For those that passed the audit exam (I saw lots of 90’s!!!!!):

What software did you use?

Do you have Audit experience?

What tips do you have for us?

Did you have any challenging areas?

For those that failed the audit exam:

What did you find the most challenging within the material?

Do you have Audit experience?

What software did you use?

This could really help me (and others) out…I know people have previously made comments about this already but it takes a long time to read forum history :-/

Thanks!

[sasa]

Used Roger and I passed with a breeze. I passed it with probably the least effort and time (took me about a month from start to finish) because he did a really good job helping me understanding audit as a whole. Didn't use any software, just did Wiley's MCs once. Felt really good because I scored over 75% on most modules. Walked into the test with confidence and walked out feeling the same. I had some audit experience at my work but I don't think it helped me passing the exam though. If you are going to use Roger, I'd recommend watching his lectures all at once as Audit itself is one topic as a whole and Roger explained (and repeatedly thru out all the lectures) the flow of audit really well which I think it's essential. My challenging areas was sampling and evidence. I think reading the lecture notes once would also help.

I hope that helps. Good luck! 🙂

California Candidate
AUD 5/27/11 86
BEC 4/20/11 79
REG 8/28/10 81

[SoonToBeCPAChick]

I work in public accounting as an auditor and I definetely had an advantage because of that. I used Becker and I could pretty much skip Lectures 3-5 (controls, planning evidence, sampling) because it was all review from work. I have used Becker for all exams tho and I think it does a pretty good job of preparing you. Just a matter of doing an S ton of MC questions. The parts I did have trouble with were sections 1 (audit reports) because I am only a first year and haven't gotten to the opinion part of my job.

One foolproof way that I found to understand where the explanatory paragraph goes in the auditors report is below:

GR:

If modified unqualified – the extra paragraph will goes AFTER the opinion paragraph so that people read the opinion first and see that it is unqualified. ( the auditor doesn't want to make it seem like a big deal)

Qualified / Adverse – the extra paragraph goes BEFORE the opinion paragraph to give people a heads up when they are reading the report that the opinion is not unqualified. (the auditor wants to make it a big deal)

I dunno if this makes sense to anyone but me, but that is how I got comfortable with the auditor's report.

FAR 10/1/2010 =====> 90
BEC 10/28/2010 ====> 81
REG 2/2/2011 ======> 82
AUD 5/28/2011 =====> 92 ===========>DONE!!!!

[Anonymous]

I used Becker, NINJA notes and the Wiley Book/test bank. Becker did a really great job in my opinion. There was nothing on the exam that was not covered in the course. After going through the full Becker course I read through the Wiley book and that definitely helped me understand some concepts I was not to confident with. Its always a good idea to use secondary material in conjunction with your main CPA review course. I didn't do that with FAR and I think its a major reason why I didn't pass (that and not having enough time for the stupid Sims). I also think the Wiley test bank is essential (especially for AUD). Drilling yourself with tons and tons of MC for AUD is probably the best way to really drill the concepts into your brain. Practicing MC questions also helps in understanding how they ask questions and how they plan to trick you. Wiley's questions were excellent and during the actual exam I was seeing questions that looked almost identical to Wiley's. I wouldn't go to crazy with practice Sims. I find them to be more a waste of time since the chances of seeing a similar sim are very slim. Instead, understand the concepts, write out your notes (multiple times) and do a ton of MC questions and you should be good to go. Forgot to also mention that during the actual exam the authoritative literature was a godsend for the Sims. I found a good amount of answers using that tab. Theres my two cents. Hope it helps! Happy studying.

[tjdsdg126]

I flunked the AUD part a 3rd time with another 74 and this is the last one I need. I thought I was well prepared, I used Kaplan Schweser (I am an oddball) and Yeager cram. I have used this combination on FAR, BEC & REG & passed. I also used the Wiley test bank. I was scoring over 80 on all the practice tests. From the NASBA email I was stronger on the all the MCQ's but weaker on TBS's. I thought I had done enough practice TBS's but obviously not.

[kandisjoy]

What software did you use?: CPAexcel

Do you have Audit experience?: Only one summer's worth, and I hated it. I don't think I learned much at all.

What tips do you have for us?: Use flash cards. Know the differences between the types of reports. Study confirmations and what the appropriate responses are to different scenarios.

Did you have any challenging areas?: Staying awake! Auditing is borrrrrring. 🙂

I also used the Ninja notes and Wiley a little bit.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Trying Again]

I took the Becker live course taught by one of the national editors (her name is in the front of the Becker Book). I wouldn't have passed without it. I had failed AUD more times than I can remember. My advice is to find what works and do it. Yaeger FAR worked for me but Yaeger AUD just didn't help. It can literally break the bank, but it is worth it in the end.

Licensed CPA since September 2011

[Anonymous]

I used the Wiley book, Yaeger, a marble notebook to take lots of notes and the Gleim software. I didn't get a 90, but close. I think I may retake in order to get that 90. Ok ok, I'm kidding. 😀

[Anonymous]

~kandis!!! so you passed AUD…congratulations…so happy for you 🙂

~WishingIneverStarted

What software did you use? CPAexcel supplemented with questions from Wiley, Gleim, Becker, cpareviewforfree

Do you have Audit experience? No

What tips do you have for us? do a lot of practice questions, write your own notes

Did you have any challenging areas? probably the different reports, it took a while to memorize/understand it.

[kaaCPA]

This was my first CPA exam. I took it first because I thought it might be the hardest for me since I don't have any audit experience. Somehow I passed, thank God! I felt terrible about the SIMS – they were tough!

What software did you use? Becker Self Study, probably studied 15-20 hours a week for 5 weeks.

Do you have Audit experience? No, I work in Tax. I have done a couple compilations, but that's it.

What tips do you have for us? Make sure you know what the standard report looks like, when paragraphs are added for different reasons. I suggest memorizing that chart at the end of chapter 1 (I think) where it lists what type of opinion should be issued in different circumstances

Did you have any challenging areas? Reports, reports, reports! Also, know the independence rules! and a little bit about international standards.

AUD | 85
REG | 77
FAR | 76
BEC | 83
========
ETH | 93
State Board Application pending!

[kandisjoy]

@cpareally – Thank you! Now I just have to defeat REG. I'm starting studying tonight! 🙂 Hope you are doing well!!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[kandisjoy]

Oh Oh another area I struggled with – Transaction cycles. But I think that I got over that just by doing a lot of questions.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[INeedCoffee]

The first time I took auditing, I used only Becker. I have no auditing experience, and I had one auditing class in college. I was working as I was studying and wasn't able to do as much studying as I would have liked. I also had to fly to a different state to take the test because all test times at my local testing center were booked, so that caused me to lose study time. I was also stressed because it was only my second time on an airplane.

The second time I took auditing, I used the updated Becker material along with Jeff's NINJA notes. I had more time to study and was able to take the test locally. I don't know how I did yet (Idaho is a snail mail state, unfortunately), but I felt better prepared.

I don't know if you want my tips since I don't know if I passed yet, but here they are anyway. I would recommend doing as many MC questions as possible. They really help you grasp the concepts and show you what areas you are weak in and should study more.

REG (7/13/10) 86
BEC (8/26/10) 81
FAR (10/13/10) 79
AUD (11/18/10) 74 (4/21/11) WAITING

[Anonymous]

I took the exam on Feb 8th, and got 91. To answer your questions:

What software did you use?

I used Roger CPA USB course, which comes with a USB with lectures on them, a Textbook with notes to highlight and go through while viewing the lectures, and Wiley HW Book for practice. I found it really helpful as Roger takes a genuine to make the material more fun. For example, by developing acronyms that easily memorable, and sometimes poke fun at himself, it becomes easy to learn a really discretionary and tricky subject like Auditing

Do you have Audit experience?

I have no Audit experience, and thus I feel my score is a testament to Roger's efforts. Moreover, I spent around 6-8 weeks on the whole, studying and practicing the material, since I had no experience or knowledge of auditing before. I assume it would take less for someone with experience.

What tips do you have for us?

One of biggest elements of passing I believe, although must be sounding repetitive, is stay committed. Sacrifices need to be made, like not drinking with friends on the many weekends. Also, don't lose hope and focus. Whenever I felt out of tune for whatever reason, I would google literrally typing “how to stay focus while studying for the CPA” and usually I would be lead to an another71 forum. In my opinion, it really helps to once in a while touch base with how everyone is coping up with the pressure.

On a more specific note, take a lot of notes. I made a lot of sticky notes, with explanation to questions I got wrong and many which I got right, since you should always know why an answer is correct.

Lastly, while I know it is easier said than done, don't get too stressed, and relax a bit, a little bit not too much :), whenever you feel stressed.

Did you have any challenging areas?

Keep in my mind I am only mentioning the areas I found challenging, and thus don't necessary mean other areas are not important. Some of the areas I found challenging are:

1) TBS: These are big points as they make 40% of the exam and are truly make or break questions. Don't shrug off the research question, since they can be tough too.

2) Reports: Reports are heavily tested, and you should spend considerable time studying and practicing them. Some of stuff in reports, like Govt. Auditing, just have to be memorized and there are no two ways about it, especially when you don't have any Auditing Experience.

3) Professional Stds and Responsibilities: This is very important and can sometimes become a confusing section, since you will need to know the responsibilities while preparing review as compared to compilations, and other such functions.

Again, there are other very important sections, which I did not find necessarily challenging, like Internal Control, Auditing procedures etc.

Hopefully this helps, and when you pass the paper you go out there and help others who ask for advice. Best of luck 🙂

[Author]

Replies