[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

[Texas27]

Exam Tip: When you decide to take the CPA exam, you have to commit to it 100% unless you want to drag it on longer than it should be. I made a lot of sacrifices for roughly 4 months while I studied and took all four parts and it has been worth it. Also, if you can then take the exam before you start working so that you can give all your time to it and get it done sooner.

Big 4/Recruiting Tip: Make sure your resume is well organized and error free. Make sure you know how to present yourself in a professional manner and answer certain interview questions. Practice makes perfect!

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[PistolPete]

Exam tip: Study early in the morning. Get the majority of it out of the way early, that way you can spend your evenings with family and friends. Don't cut yourself off from society.

FAR - 68, 79
AUD - 82
REG - 71, 71, 80
BEC - 76

CMA
Part 1: October 2013
Part 2: January 2014

[mdrobbin]

Exam Tip: Buy the NINJA notes and practice MCQ's until you're eyes go blurry. Then start squinting or find some glasses, re-read the NINJA notes, and keep doing the MCQ's. Whenever you feel down or lacking motivation, just remember you can do this and think of how good it will feel when it is all over and done with.

Career Tip: Hard work pays off. As long as you keep a positive mindset, treat others with respect, and work as hard as you possibly can, good things will happen.

FAR - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER)
AUD - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
BEC - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
REG - 2013 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES + NINJA AUDIO)

ETHICS - 2013 - PASSED

DONE!!! Thank you A71 for all the support! Hiya!!!

[Anonymous]

study tip:

If you have a macbook to use while studying but still find it difficult to stay away from distracting websites, download the “Self-Control” app to block yourself from the things that can eat away at valuable study time!

[ladyleo1]

My biggest tip is don't give up no matter how bad things seem. I have been trying to get my CPA for since 1998 off and on and I am still trying. I passed FAR last April 11 with a 81 but still can't seem to get the other 3. I just retook REG on Monday, May 21st and take BEC again May 29th and god willing I will pass those 2 parts and take AUD first of July. I think what helps me keep going is my determination. I want to get this for myself and so I am self motivated.

I will say reading all the posts on the another71.com site have also helped me keep things in perspective. I see I am not alone and not everyone can pass all four parts at once sometimes you just have to be persistent and you will finally come out victorious.

So to all keep striving… your day will come!

[nomoreexcuse]

@Sbundy13

I passed too!!!!! Finally! I checked and my first NTS was from 2007 so we were on the same boat. I didn't have champagne but I sure had my tequila and made sure I got a shot for all those years of struggle.

Hope you and you wife enjoyed this accomplishment!! Congrats!!

[wonny1108]

Exam tips

Don't get discouraged! if I can pass then everybody can!! Positive attitude is always needed!

Don't have enough time to study? think again. When you really MANAGE your time, you'll probably find some quality time to really sit and study. Jeff's ELL program worked great!

Invest in the CPA review material. don't just buy review books off of a shelf and try “self studying”. I did that once and I regret it so bad! Wasted time, energy and money(which I thought I was saving).

Find the right study material. There are many CPA review materials out there and it was quite confusing and challenging to shop around. You don't want to waste your money(quite a lot of money) on material that you don't even bother to look at. Compare the pros and cons and choose the one that fits your needs.

This is just my thoughts and experiences up until I finally passed my first part. Three more to go!

Happy studying y'all! HiYa!!!

Starting all over again...
BEC - 79 Lost credit
AUD - Retake April 2016

[Rebecca_AZ]

1. Like on Facebook – check – do I get extra points for following on Twitter??

2. Tips for college grads – Get the CPA exam done as soon as possible. It is so much easier to study for it NOW than it is to study when you have a husband, and kids and a mortgage,or it's your 7th year in public accounting and those three letters are the only thing keeping you from making manager. Let me put it this way, would you rather miss a few weekends hanging out with your family and friends now or risk having your career stall because you waited?

Interview/First impression tips: No matter what the dress code – dress up for the interview and IRON your clothes! There is no excuse for a wrinkly shirt – especially in an interview! Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

3. Jeff please pick me! I never win anything! (Sympathy iPad 3??) 🙂

I passed in 2012!

BEC - PASSED - I'M DONE!!!
AUD - PASSED (finally!!)
REG - PASSED (Twice - lost credit first time)
FAR - PASSED!

[fanfan22]

Exam Tips:

1. Skim through the book/lecture first before working on homework questions

2. Study the concepts behind the homework questions you did wrong (ask people for help here rather than spinning wheels)

3. Create your own notes on the concepts you have trouble with and weighted heavily on the exam

4. Practice more questions

Lastly, stay focused!!! I am easy to be distracted so I go to the library to study!

Big 4 Interview Tips:

– Do enough homework before hand so you can ask good questions during the interview. The best way to show that you are interested in a position is by asking really good questions based on your research!

– Show enthusiasm. Nobody expects you to know everything. If you don's know something, show you are egar to learn.

– Prepare general interview questions as well as behavior questions. Create consice examples for each skill set that smarizes what the situation was, what you did and the results.

– Be yourself and smile!

[Anonymous]

Stay Focused and never give up. Always remember that the majority of CPA candidates do not pass all 4 the first try. Also, do as many MCQ's as you can before the test. Know why answers are right or wrong so you can apply the theory to similar questions.

GOOD LUCK!

[yeedle]

Exam Tip:

Even if you think you did terrible in the first testlet and the questions seem to be getting easier (not always a good sign) DONT GIVE UP!

Dont get depressed and lose focus, just stay the course and forget about the questions you have done already just keep moving forward with a positive attitude, you never know how the exam will be graded, you never know!

[tbstew]

You're the man, Jeff.

Tip: Take ownership of your exam preparation! Don't make excuses not to study. Don't make excuses for why you're struggling. Just push through all of that. And don't put yourself in the position of relying on luck to pass this exam. Study as if you're whole career depended on it (it just may!).

AUD - 79
BEC - 88
REG - 87
FAR - 86 - Woot, all done!
Ethics - 100

[lindal24]

Take the test as soon after college so that the information is still fresh in your mind!

[Anonymous]

Plan time to study, but don't forget to plan time to relax and to have fun.

[Anonymous]

An Ipad would be great. Don't give up on your quest to pass the CPA exams. The MCQ's are important. I have noticed that this is mentioned in many of the posts. It's true! Take it one at a time and believe that you can achieve a passing score.

FAR 86

AUD 92

REG 84

BEC 79

[Author]

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