[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

[Danielle]

Exam Tip, Career Tip, Life Tip: Don't let your mind get in the way. As humans we limit ourselves based on our fears, or what we “think” we can accomplish. In reality, we can accomplish anything we truly wish to. Always challenge yourself in order to continue to achieve greater things. Do something crazy, like rappel off your office building to raise money for charity (yes, I did that a couple days ago), so that you know you are set apart from the majority of individuals out there and can BELIEVE that you are capable of your dreams. Our minds are our greatest assets. Don't let it stand in your way!

[forever4]

If you dont have 3 thousands dollars, use Wiley book and test bank. Keep doing the MCQ and write a compact note to read the night before, you'll pass!! Just understand the topic well!

FAR 5/14 88 PASSED!
REG 7/13 74 :((((((((....! I cant believe it!!!! I studied so hard...
REG retake 11/29 -> 89!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC 10/11/12 -> 84!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AUD 10/25/12 -> 95!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm DONE! OMG 8 months of hard work.

I SHALL PASS. BECAUSE IT'S ME, SO EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!

[Tori]

Study Tips:

Don't wait until the last minute to study.

Schedule your breaks, it will give you something to work towards.

Turn off Facebook, it doesn't count as study time.

Try to find a study buddy who will provide not only moral support, but also a person to quiz you on topics.

BEC:76
AUD:77 (expired), 73, REMATCH 5/19/14, PENDING SCORE RELEASE.
REG:71,68,59,75
FAR:62, 59, 62, 78

[Anonymous]

CPA Exam Tip: Believe in your own ability! With dedication, persistence and learning from failure you will succeed! You may not pass on your first try but if you keep up with it you will be able to get it!!

“The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” ~ Chinese Proverb

[tibrado]

CPA Exam tip: For me, the difference between exams that I've failed and exams that I've passed is being honest with myself. Have an honest conversation with yourself on why you want to pass the exam and what time frame you need to pass it in and you'll find a way to keep motivated. The biggest reason why I failed previous sections was not admitting to myself that I didn't really want to be a CPA at that point therefore I found any excuse to get distracted from studying.

FAR - 85
REG - 79

[mill1321]

Just found out I passed my last Exam. Passed all in under 1 year with Becker.

My advice would be to pace yourself. Review the information that doesn't make sense after doing MCQ's. Just make sure you understand the concepts and do the MCQ's.

[musicamor]

Dear recent college graduate-

If you plan on working in industry, i.e., in the corporate accounting group of an organization, make sure you get some public accounting under your belt. The audit experience you receive while in public accounting is invaluable; especially when you have had Big 4 experience. You will remain highly valuable to companies with this experience.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[msmeyer]

Big 4 Advice – Before you get an offer, you have to sell yourself. That means that you have to clean up your social networking sites, update your resume, practice interviewing, etc. After you start getting offers–do not fall for an “exploding offer.” Make sure that you look at the benefits offered on top of the salary. Also–Big 4 work means no work/life balance–there is NO such thing….get ready for it. Explore your options–Audit and Tax are not the only things out there–I work in Advisory and get to do a lot of fun stuff (from internal audit co-sourcing engagements to IT attestation to fraud investigations).

Exam advice – buy NINJA notes and audio. Very helpful. I passed BEC with Becker only and then slacked too much for FAR, so I bought the Ninja notes and those SAVED me big time. I would have been clueless on a lot of questions on the exam if it weren't for the Ninja notes.

GOOD LUCK IN LIFE!

BEC - 86
FAR - 76
AUD - 73, 86
REG - 61, 73, 82

DONE!!

CPA, CIA, CRMA

[LetsGoCPAs]

Tip – Stay in school and finish your CPA. Don't enter the workforce until you have all your and all parts of the exam completed. This will go a long way. Most firms are looking for people with the whole package now to make sure they don't reach the glass ceiling when trying to get promoted without their exams or credits. It is much harder trying to complete the exam while working full time especially while working for a big four. Sacrifice that extra year after your bachelors to get your credits and try completing the exams in between classes, example summer/Christmas breaks. I wish I had taken that route.

AUD - 79
FAR - 83
BEC - 77 (borderline baby...its true!!)
REG - 74 🙁 I know...sucks... retook it on Oct. 30th

[pacific1]

I have found for studying you really do not have to spend a fortune, Wiley, Gleim and NINJA work great….I think you get a lot of bang for your buck with just those three products. Yes, I did shell out the money for Becker….twice for a couple sections might add but once I found these other methods I have been just as happy with the materials.

[heocon]

Exam tip: practice as much as you can and stay focus. Put yourself on the schedule.

[Anonymous]

The best exam advice I can give is to believe in yourself. If you don't think that you will be able to do it before you even try, it will be much harder for you to succeed.

I do not work for a Big 4 company, but I do work for a smaller public accounting firm. If you can, you should try to get an internship for your last semester of school so that you will have experience before starting out your career.

[ticktock2012]

Exam advice

get it out of the way – you WILL need it

you don't need to read/view lectures unless you need to… Go through MCQ – see how you did, what you got worn and why. For those lessons for which it does not work, read and listen to lecture. When done practice, practice and practice again.

If you are paying for your studying check out cpaexcel – very inexpensive, totally useful and they will give you free updates till you pass. I got mine in 2010, got pregnant shortly after and did not start studying till after my baby turned six month…

work advice

there are so many specialties within accounting beyond tax and audit: consider specializing asap – forensic, advisory, even research in education… I have done transfer pricing and audit of governmental institutions and funds since my graduation in 2009 – both were a lot more fun than the boot camp some of my friends had to go through at big 4 firms.

Good Luck in LIFE and don't forget to have a LIFE

Irene

AUD 8/31/11 87
BEC 5/26/11 88
FAR 2/23/12 87
REG 5/15/12 76

[retentivedata]

The best study advice I can give is don't be afraid to try different methods of study. I took Becker live classes for all 4 parts, but needed to retake the BEC exam a second time. I then purchased NINJA Notes and copied them by hand. I did a few multiple choice questions in preparation as well, but copying the notes really helped me remember the information. I passed BEC the second time as a result. I also retook this exam as soon as possible after the first attempt. I think this helped me to retain the information as well.

As many people have mentioned, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't give up. Before you know it, you will be a CPA!

FAR: 77
AUD: 79
REG: 79
BEC: 74,76

NC NTS: 466

[Anonymous]

Exam Tips:

1. Like Jeff said… Put the highlighter down!!! Take ur own notes.. Read, Write, listen, and Answer tons of multiple choice questions.

2. Be honest with your family and friends. They will never understand why you can't come to a birthday party, family event b/c you have to study for your test that is 3 weeks ago. Send them information to read on how difficult the exam is. After the 4th time you decline they will get the picture. P.S… they are not supportive if they get mad at you!!

3. Wake up early…. to study!

4. Have someone change your wireless password… then you can't take a break during MCQ or Lectures to surf the web.

5. Put in the time… Would you rather take 18 months to pass the exam with interruptions or pass the exam in 6 months and be glued to your review material.

Best of luck to everyone! I passed the exam back in November 2011 but my Fiance is studing now! So trying to be supportive of him!!

[Author]

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