[jeff]

NINJA Question –

The NINJAs are giving away Ten Point Combos to 5 winners.

Entering is Simple:

Post either a

– CPA Exam Study Tip

or

– Career/Interviewing Tip

Please don’t post “buy company X – you’ll pass” (unless it’s NINJA – then it’s totally legit 🙂

Examples:

cpa123456 – CPA Exam Tip: For BEC, work all of your IT MCQs the night before your exam

SkynetFanClub – Interviewing Tip: If a partner offers you Scotch during an interview – decline.

Exception: if it’s single malt, then it’s ok.

Prize: 1 Ten Point Combo section of the winner’s choice

Winners: Five (5) – Randomly selected

Deadline: 11pm EST – Monday, February 23

Winners can “gift” their winnings to another individual if they are no longer taking the CPA Exam.

One entry per person.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

Interview Tip:

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. Everyone gives the same answers to basic questions, but your belief in yourself and confidence in what you're saying shows in how you answer.

(P. S. Not really entering the contest, cause I don't know anyone off of here who is currently studying, but wanted to share my 2 cents. 🙂 )

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Interview Tip:

Modesty is attractive, but not nearly as attractive as confidence. In my experience, larger Fortune 500 type companies generally prefer a slightly overconfident finance/accounting candidate personality. Once had a 2nd round interview with the controller of a global semiconductor company for a finance role – after being notified that I was not chosen, I asked for feedback and was told that my usual self-deprecating humor backfired and resulted in him being turned off. An occasional jab or two should be fine, but any more will raise red flags about how capable you see yourself.

Cheers.

[Anonymous]

Career tip:

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Sitting quiet and spinning your wheels won't get you anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Interview tip for Big 4: Speak to the company's culture and how well you would fit in. That's what they are looking for in the interview is someone they can hire who will fit in with the firm culture. Presumably, once you have an interview with the partner you are qualified for the position, and at that point its about fit. The easiest way for them to think you will fit in is for you to tell them you will, with confidence.

[Disclaimer: Only do this if you think you will fit in. If not, you are wasting everyone's time]

[Anonymous]

Make sure to give yourself enough time for the simulations and do as many MCQ's as you can!

[peskypole]

Be disciplined in your study time. One hour spent focused is better than two or three spent trying to “multitask” while studying.

FAR - PASSED!! - 95
AUD - PASSED!! - 98
REG - PASSED!! - 93
BEC - PASSED!! - 90
Licensed CPA
Just a couple of thoughts I tried to remember as I went through the journey of passing the CPA exams:
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

[titoav15]

Exam Tip:

Panicking during the exam will waste more time than if you took one minute to close your eyes, chill, and take a couple of deep breaths and return to exam.

AUD - PASS

FAR - PASS

REG - PASS

BEC - PASS

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[TNCPA16]

Interview tips:

1). Show up early, but not too early. 10-15 minutes is perfect.

2). Do some research about the company.

3). Have good questions to ask your interviewers.

4). Always always always send a follow up thank you email or card. It is so simple to do, yet so many people do not do it.

5). Relax and be confident!

[Anonymous]

Interview tip: smile.

[TargetCPA]

Maintain your study schedule as per Jeff study plan. Especially this works for working people, because juggling job, life and CPA is the toughest part in life for every CPA candidate.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

BEC-78(Expired),68,71,69,74
REG-Waiting for score
AUD-
FAR-

[CPANOVICE]

Make sure you intern during college so you can gain experience. I made the mistake of not interning 🙁

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[pnielsen1982]

Interview Tip: Don't try to be something you're not because you think it will improve your chances of getting the job. It is actually pretty easy to tell when someone is putting on a show, so it could end up blowing up in your face. Just be yourself.

CA licensed CPA

AUD - 08/31/13 - 84
BEC - 11/26/13 - 84
FAR - 08/10/14 - 85
REG - 11/30/14 - 72, 02/20/15 - 87

What have I gotten myself into?

[gennatay]

Interview Tip: Study your resume! Be able to back up anything in your experience section with problem solving examples that got results.

[Anonymous]

Exam tip: WRITE IT DOWN.

I am using a few different products, but the first thing I do is watch the Becker lectures. I take the notes in the book and highlight what they tell me to do and pay attention, then I go back after I am done the lectures and rewrite my notes in a notebook. I use an excel document to keep track of mnemonics, formulas, acronyms, important definitions, etc. This helps me keep everything organized in one central document. For BEC I write and rewrite formulas until I know them (which will help you on other exams). I remember 10x more by rewriting it. Sure, takes a bit longer, but I tend to get way better trending MCQ first time around, and it only gets better from there. I also have some concise notes to go back on during review week!

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Career Tip:

There was once an auditor who landed a very nice job within the Federal Government, you know, the kind with a career ladder and non-competitive raises each year up to about 70K.

Then, for some reason, he or she decided to supplement their income with “free” bathroom supplies. One day a manager saw an open bag next to their desk filled with these supplies and the auditor agreed to seek a different job.

Moral of the story: Don't take stuff from work, especially the white stuff that can be purchased from Costco in lifetime bulk supply for pretty cheap.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Author]

Replies