Amanda says: Do you have any insight on the new format of the FAR CPA Exam SIMs? Three different sections rather than just one? I am worried about not knowing the entire picture of the SIMs and spending too much time on the first one or two sets only to get to the last set and run out of time. Have you heard any details on the type of questions that will be in each section? For example a research-based question would only be in the final section? I have not heard anything about that from the AICPA. The AICPA has said publicly that research questions are in play. So you could very well get a research question. Whether or not you get it in the first SIM or the last SIM, I don't know. I don't think it impacts how you budget your time. And so you have two

Derrick is a NINJA CPA blogger. When is enough, enough? It has been an extremely long road to CPA certification. In undergrad, accounting was just a class I had to take. It wasn’t until I gained experience and started moving up the corporate ladder that I began to see the value in having a CPA. Due to my disdain for accounting in college, I needed to complete about 24 hours of accounting in order to become eligible to sit in my state. After a year and a half of full-time work and attending night classes, I was finally ready to defeat the beast. These four exams would be a mere formality, right? WRONG! That was 2011. It has been a series of starts and stops since then. Work, life changes, travel, family commitments, and sheer laziness have all played a part in delaying my journey. In November 2016 I decided

Sean says: I'm currently working in the tax service of a big four accounting firm. I started working in public accounting in January and have two CPA exam sections already passed. Now that I'm working it seems just impossible to study effectively because I'm learning new things on the job. I forget what CPA Review topics I studied way too easily but at the same time what I learned on the job doesn't get retained because I'm staying for the exams. It's a vicious cycle and I'm going absolutely insane. What can I do to survive this intense time in my life? Sean, it sounds like you need to simply take good CPA Exam notes. So you need to take notes while you're learning your new job and review them. Keep a notebook with you. Doesn't sound like you're taking notes for your CPA Review and so if you're taking

Aida is a NINJA CPA blogger. Today I wanted to touch accounting software topic. This will be especially interesting for CPA candidates that are college graduates or still enrolled in school. It is my understanding that BEC and AUD sections of the CPA Exam touch a little bit of IT topic, however it’s more about the information security, IT department segregation of duties, etc. The exam does not test for the technical knowledge of various accounting software. As an accountant in big public corporation, I wanted to touch main accounting tools that are used in everyday life. For most accounting and finance professionals Microsoft Excel is one of the most used applications. Below are the main Excel features that I use every day, whether I create a Journal Entry or modify the report or: Table – allows to design a table in a predefined style Pivot Table – allows to

Rollie is a NINJA CPA blogger. The wait continues. In case you haven't heard, I took REG on July 1st and now have to wait almost 3 months to get the results of my computerized exam. Good lord. On the bright side, it kind of puts the score release “out of sight out of mind”. Hopeful for another pass from REG while study for AUD to take by the end of quarter 3. I am just beginning my AUD studies. For those that have been around a long time like me, I failed AUD twice: 71 and 73. AUD is one of those beasts that it is hard to conceptualize if you are more of a numbers person like me. I feel that this has been my demise with AUD. My AUD study plan is: Nail the NINJA MCQ – AUD is one of those that you need to just

Joe is a NINJA CPA blogger. I know it sounds awful, and it can be. However studying for the CPA Exam during a vacation can be a great way to keep current with your studying materials while enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation. As you travel to your destination whether by plane, train or automobile use that often boring time to study. If you are on a plane with WiFi access, it’s a perfect opportunity to do some NINJA MCQ, catch up on reading material or rewrite notes. If you are driving to your destination, as I often do, the NINJA Audio is a great tool to use hands free. I often bring my headphones because after about 15 minutes into the ride I get asked by my wife or kids to turn it off. Make sure you only use one headphone, I am not so sure about how