[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]

Allocate 1 chapter a day right before the exam. Do all the questions, takes notes, and re-read the book that you are having trouble with. Read the outlines (if any) provided in your material and do the practice exams. Review ALL note cards if possible.

[One day….]

Read the question more than once before answering.

Disconnect your computer from the internet completely while studying – it will make you think a little before you turn it back on about what you really should be doing.

One day is today! I'm DOOONNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[mustpasscpaexam]

Make sure you give yourself enough time to work through as many mc's and sims as you possibly can.

[Tux]

Career Tip for graduates –

Be VERY diligent with your finances. Don't take on any significant debt.

Once you start working, it can be easy to feel like you “deserve” a new car, condo, etc.

Instead, stay financially lean. Save your money. Give yourself time to gain experience in your new career and determine what's the best career path for you.

For example, there's a chance you might start out in auditing and hate it. So, you might want to switch to tax, or some other accounting field.

Staying financially lean will allow you the flexibility to make career changes, even if they involve a cut in pay, in order to find the path that's right for you in the long-term.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[jessh488]

My recommendation is to get the CPA exam out-of-the-way ASAP. I would also recommend reading all directions and rules for NTS's, etc when registering. I know on my first NTS, I signed up for 2 exams at the same time. I didn't realize the NTS expired in 6 months so I crammed both exams in one window. BIG mistake on my part. I also recommend taking one exam at a time. Take one, wait for the scores then take then next IF you pass. The worst thing is getting a 74, when you're in the middle of studying for another part. With the new score release dates (more often), this is easier for examiners.

Good luck!

[strawker]

My suggestion is to do all the multiple choice questions once, and then go back and do them all over again. Mark the ones you miss/don't fully understand. Then go back again and re-do each one of these, until you understand the answer through and through. The Ninja flashcards have also been very helpful.

When you study, unplug the wireless router and have your significant other/roommate take your phone from you. That way you're not tempted to Facebook, etc 🙂

Finally, read the book and do the lectures. Yes, my name is Captain Obvious.

I'm starting at Big Four this fall and am very excited. One of the methods I used to get the job was getting some real experience and connecting with accountants through my state CPA society (student membership). I invited various accounting contacts to lunch and asked many career-related questions. This led me to connect with recruiters and get interviews.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Tips when you run out of motivation to continue to pass the CPA exam:

1. Stop studying, close the book and meditate. Empty your mind and just focus on your breathing for 30 minutes.

2. Go to sleep, take sleeping pills if you have to.

3. Take a break from studying for a day or two, go shopping, sightseeing, or anything that can put your mind away from the exam.

4. Give yourself a generous reward whenever you pass the exam

5. Remind yourself that by passing the exam, there are a lot more things you can do. Passing the exam put you ahead of the “average” accountant and you need to be ahead to compete for “the job”.

If you spend your time to really study, then you will pass! GOOD LUCK…

[MQcpasoon]

never ever give up!

[Anonymous]

If you are currently in school I highly recommend to pass the CPA exam at any cost so that you do not have to do it while working. I started working with 5 people a year and a half ago. Half of us had passed and the other half hadn't. I have witnessed them all struggled to take the exam and I can tell that it us so hard to try to work and study. Please trust me to pass the exam ASAP. Don't put it off! Follow Becker, it won't let you down!

[gabarmaiz]

Hi,

CPA Tip: Burn through as many MCQ's as possible. Repetition is the key. If you get one wrong, know why it's wrong. If you get one right, know why the wrong one's are wrong.Thats the key to pass the examn

[KellyP]

Study tip: Ear plugs! This is some of the best advice I received and I didn't think it would make a huge difference but it has. Make a plan to study. Especially with the amount of information that FAR covers you need to have a plan so you can see how much time is needed. Don't underestimate the material!

Career Tip: As other people have said above; Be Yourself in the interview. Remember that you are not only being interviewed but you need to interview the company as well. Accounting is a lot of work and you don't want to be spending all of your time at a company you don't like and people you don't get along with.

AUD - 80
BEC - 83
FAR - 87
REG - 65, 77 5/28/13

*Good-bye Social Life. . .Hello CPA*

[gbpackcdr]

Exam Tip: Focus on Multiple Choice instead of SIMs during review as they will help you most on both SIMs and MC during the test because you know the concepts. Also rewrite Ninja Notes!

AUD - 81 (05/11/12)
BEC - 86 (08/11/12)
REG - 73 (11/10/11),78 (01/07/12)
FAR - 77 (2/25/12)

[fljazzchic]

Exam Tip:

1. Hit the ground running after you graduate. The sooner you begin preparing & studying, the sooner you will be done.

2. Learn the material then focus on repetition. Review Notes, Do MCQ's, Practice Simulations – Rinse Repeat at least 3 times.

3. Don't forget about the Simulations. Even if you get every single MCQ correct, you must master enough of the SIMs to get a 75.

4. Time Management is pivotal. Even if you're well prepared you must answer in the allotted time.

5. Keep That 18 month window in close view & try to avoid loosing credit.

6. NEVER Give Up…It's Definitely Attainable!!!

[Marc]

A great tip for the CPA exam is to study every single day…I know it sounds obvious, but even those days where you don't have time to study, just try to get a quick half hour of flash cards or notes in to keep your mind consistantly on the exam. It's amazing what just a day or two taken off can do.

FAR - 67, 85
AUD - 50, 68, 79 I'm DONE!
BEC - 81
REG - 78

First Expiration = 8/31/2013

[Anonymous]

A great tip to pass the CPA exam is to get a good support system. This can be anything from a close friend, teacher, co-worker, or even the wonderful community of another71.com :). It is important to surround yourself with people who will encourage you when you fail, celebrate when you pass, and listen to you when you want to vent.

I would also recommend to evaluate the CPA exam sections first and determine which section of the CPA exam would be the most challenging to you. The clock starts ticking as soon as you pass the first section and I would recommend to keep on studying and attacking sections as soon as you've taken one section. 18 months comes sooner than you think!!

I also would highly recommend to schedule ONE section at a time! It kills me to see some of my friends who are also studying apply for all four notice to sits and fail one section and fall behind and lose money!! Life happens and it takes just a few days to go back and re-apply for another notice to sit and be approved. Don't waste money because life happens!

[Author]

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