[jeff]

I will be giving away an iPad 3 Thursday to someone in the forum. Here are the details:

Who: 1 Randomly-selected winner.

You don’t have to be a current candidate to enter – Alums are welcome too!

The selection will be recorded through a screencast.

Note – the winner will be double-checked to make sure they don’t have more than one forum account posting in the giveaway thread, so no shenanigans.

What: iPad 3 – $499 model (winner will have the option to pay for any upgrades/features they want added)

Why: iPads are awesome (I have an iPad 2 … hope I win!) 😉

How:

1. “Like” another71 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/another71)

2. In this thread, post a CPA Exam or Accounting Career tip (or both) that you think would benefit a College Senior or recent graduate. If you work for a Big 4 or Regional Accounting Firm, interview tips or anything making the process easier would be great.

That’s it … Good Luck!

***

New Prizes Added!

– 5 Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Memberships (Online)

– 5 Complete NINJA Audios

– 5 Complete NINJA Notes

– 1 30 Minute Muay Thai training session at Del Mar Beach (CA) in September (you have to get to Del Mar though) 🙂

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

[Anonymous]

My CPA Exam Tips:

1. Browse old Texts to familiarize yourself with the material again.

2. Watch CPA Review videos because they give you a new simpler way to think of certain things and great tips!

3. Do as many MCQs as humanely possible, they help weed out your weaknesses.

[natquick]

I would say that the biggest thing is if you happen to fail DO NOT give up. Give yourself five minutes to cry, scream, or hit a pillow and then regroup and hit the books again. Re-read the chapters and plug away at as many multiple choice questions as you possibly can.

Also don't take the simulations lightly. Everytime these have gotten me and I've had to re-take each exam twice. If it wasn't for the sim's, I'm pretty sure I would of passed the first time minus the BEC (my head just wasn't attached that day).

This can be done if you are willing to put in the time and effort. I'm a horiable test taker and I have two small boys at home (3 years and 9 months) and if I'm able to do it. You can too. Best of luck to everyone!!!

FAR 70 re-take 75

BEC 65 re-take 79

AUD 71 re-take 76

REG 73 waiting on re-take score – Fingers crossed.

[lexetta34]

Interview/grad tip: Make sure you are involved in school. It helps you network, and it provides topics to talk about during an interview. When I interviewed for a job, we almost always spent the entire time talking about my study abroad experience. Talking about travelling is MUCH easier than having them ask you questions about your strengths and weaknesses!

[rgibson3rd]

A lot of doors will open with a CPA…just check job listing with CPA required. Make a study plan and stick to it. I started when I was 23 and finished last year when I was 37 (with a 12 yr break in between).

BEC (11/10) 77 (Bisk)
FAR 7/2 - 63 11/5 - 80 (Yeager - Fail, Becker - Pass)
Reg (08/11) - 78 (Yeager)
Aud - 11/29 - 78(Yeager)

[Anonymous]

Must keep pushing and never give up. I taking my 7th test next week and have passed one. But that was before I found the Ninja Notes. This summer I will pass these test and so can you.

[Anonymous]

CPA exam tip: do EVERY MC in your review material at least 2-3 times. Make sure you give yourself at least 60-90 minutes for simulations on FAR, REG, and AUD (don't underestimate how much the sims count for). Eat a good breakfast (or lunch, depending on what time your exam is) the day of the exam!

Big 4 interview tip: Be friendly, honest, and prepare for the interview! Try and get a “leadership program” spot (usually the summer before the internship)- it gives you extra security for a Big 4 offer. I did the national leadership program for PwC two years ago- it was for four days in Chicago, and an absolute BLAST!

Thanks Jeff!

[Anonymous]

You think that the CPA is Not easy … you lived your undergrad life thinking how hard the CPA is … well according to wikipedia there are 370,000 Members with the AICPA ! – It cant be THAT hard ! there are 370k that already passed it !

Bring yourself together ! have some faith and YOU CAN DO IT !

try and contact as many people as you can to try and get a job ! I have not succeeded yet .. but at least i'm being phone screened !

Wish me luck ! in the job search and then in the Prize ! 😛

[Kayla86]

Exam tips:

Use multiple forms of study materials. I started off just using Becker but after failing BEC once I decided I needed more. I evenutally started suplementing Becker with Wiley MCQs and Ninja notes.

Always keep your flashcards handy. I have MN Twins season tickets and instead of missing all games to study, I'd bring flashcards with and looked between innings. Maybe gonig to a sporting event isn't the smartest study plan but you get what I mean 🙂

Learn how to tell people no. It's so hard when friends and family want you to do something fun with them but you have to sacrifice some time with them to get this exam done.

If you really want this, do NOT give up. I had so many moments where I was in tears and thought there was no way I was ever going to be done. Sometimes it really feels like there is no way you can pass, but honestly if I can pass this anyone who tries hard enough can. So much of this exam is effort. I by no means am great at accounting, but I worked my butt off to pass this.

I got my official State of MN license in the mail on Friday (5/18/12) 🙂 🙂

Good luck all!

AUD - 73, 82 7/2010
REG - 79 7/2010
BEC - 72, 74, 78 7/2011
FAR - 66, 83 1/2012 - AND I'M DONE! Best feeling ever.

MN Licensed CPA as of 5/18/12!

[hass54]

study everyday, take 15 minute breaks every few hours and get back at it. If there is something in the material you don't understand, don't let it discourage you. Attack the topics that are more complicated, make them easy to understand for the exam.

[hope32]

CPA Exam Tip: When studying multiple choice questions make sure to not only know why the right answer is correct but also why the other choices were incorrect. Never give up, keep plugging away at multiple choice questions and buy other test banks if you have to.

[pinaycpa]

CPA Exam Tip: Follow the Ninja Tips. Practice MCQ until you puke and keep on taking notes.

FAR 04/21/2012 - Passed
AUD 07/28/2012 - Passed
BEC 10/20/2012 - Passed
REG 2/28/13 - Horrible exam ever! - Passed
I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[tracyda]

My best advice if you are interning with a Big 4 Firm is to have a great attitude. All the firms are looking for the best fit with their future new hires. They can teach you “or are confident in their ability to teach their employees the accounting required”, but they cannot teach personality.

Combine a great attitude and professionalism and you should have a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Tips to CPA candidates:

– MCQs are the key! Not just because it tests your knowledge but also because the answers give great clarifications as to the theory behind the question(s). Study these and solidify your knowledge.

– Run through a FEW simulations; they are great, but they will not benefit your technical knowledge as much as the material/questions on the material.

– PLAN IT OUT! Make sure to make a study plan and give yourself time to study and retain the information. The exam is like any other partner, invsest enough time and it will love you for it.

Tips for public accounting firm candidates:

– When interviewing, make sure that the people you interview with are those with which you can work in the future. I promise, if you don't like them before a job, you will not after you sign-on either.

– Communicate your needs/wants/expectations of a career. If you do not express them, no one will know! Opportunity is there for those which seek it.

[jg1894a]

Take 150 credits before starting work no matter where you're from (if any states are still on the 120 rule). This gives you the flexibility to pursue career opportunities without the added stress of taking 30 more credits to gain reciprocity in a new state. One less thing to worry about gives you more time to worry about passing the exam!

FAR 87 7/2011
AUD 90 7/2011
BEC 85 7/2011
REG 73, 65, 5/31/2012

[Sonali]

Exam tips – Do as many MCQ as possible.If you have time, don't mind repeating the questions already done. Don't underestimate Exam. Study everyday.

REG - 76
BEC - 80
AUD - 70, 74, 82
FAR - 87

[Author]

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