[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) 🙂

[Moose8]

For the recent graduates, do NOT wait to start studying. Especially for those who have accepted positions at a firm starting in the fall. You will never get that time back that you wasted thinking that “its your last summer”. Get at least two exams out of the way that summer. It takes sooooo much longer to get studying in when you are working 50+ hours a week. You can enjoy your job and your life so much more the faster you get the exam done.

[nwms87]

I have three pieces of advice:

1. Try not to panic. It is easier said than done, but when you get caught up in the “if I fail” scenarios, it is hard to concentrate on studying in order to pass. Also, if you do fail an exam, do not panic and keep your head up.

2. Take notes! I read the NINJA Notes and take my own notes. Taking notes can help you really dig in to the material when you are reading even though it is time consuming.

3. There is never a good time to take these tests. Just start studying!

[kverb111]

Don't wait too long after graduation and do it before you get too busy with work. Answer MC questions until they make you sick! You can do it if you put in the effort!

[nassaubleek]

I would recommend Yaeger CPA Audio Course, Just listen to the audio and complete the questions over and over using the wiley online test bank and review the NINJA Notes

[sickdomdevil]

Study Tips: Never give up. No matter how many times you have to take it. For those graduating, I would probably try and complete the CPA exam before you start to work. It becomes very difficult especially if you have tax season.

Interview Tips: Know who you are interviewing with and what type of work they do. I work of a small CPA firm who specializes in tax. I have had several people come in and interview and say their goals are to become auditors.

[Anonymous]

Interview tip: Make sure you know your own resume.

Study tip: Always go back and revise after 2 or 3 topics before moving on.

Exam tip: You are not the only one who feels like your study was insufficient. Just bang it out.

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Interview tip: You might be brought in for an all day interview session where you meet with managers and partners for one-on-one interviews. You'll be partnered with a ‘buddy' that will be in charge of taking you around and answering any questions. You'll also probably go on a group lunch with said buddy and other candidates. There isn't any need to be overbearing during the lunch, but remember, even though the buddy is supposed to be objective, they can still speak up for you during the selection process. Be yourself, smile, and enjoy the process because once you start working you'll certainly be glad if you pick a firm that jives well with your personality and you actually enjoy the people you are working with!

[KFred]

Study tip – When studying MC questions, be sure to focus just as much on why the incorrect answers are wrong as you do on why the correct answer is right. You will learn more and build your understanding even farther.

Good luck!

FAR - 78 Exam Matrix
AUD - (67) - 79 Exam Matrix
REG - (74) (72) - 82 (Exam Matrix for the first 2 times) Roger CPA for the 3rd time
BEC - (72) (73)- Retook 4/29 (Exam Matrix the 1st time) Roger CPA for the 2nd and 3rd

[Anonymous]

Study Tip — Rather than just purely memorizing formulas (and even memorizing MCQs), it's more important to actually understand the content and how the formulas are derived. For BEC, there are a TON of formulas, and instead of just strictly memorizing formulas which can get really overwhelming, I spent more time understanding concepts and probably only memorized maybe 50% of the formulas but was able to figure out conceptually the ones I didn't know on the exam.

Interview Tip — From my experience, most of the Big 4 interviews are behavioral rather than technical so make sure you come prepared with many personal examples to behavioral questions, whether its from work/extracurricular/school/etc. It also helps to emphasize examples relating to strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with clients and team members, which can really put you at an advantage.

[laCPA2b]

My study tip is to focus & not let your job get in the way. I made that mistake by starting a new job in the middle of studying. I put the exam on the back burner for a while & now I'm paying.

[snakeyes4611]

I think the best advice that I could give is to practice, practice, practice anything and everything that you can get your hands on. Literally, as you expose yourself to more types of questions, you will feel more comfortable on exam day. Imagine yourself on exam day as you are practicing questions. Once exam day is here, you will feel more comfortable with your abilities and you may even see some questions that you have already practiced.

AUD 88
BEC 79
FAR 80
REG 83

[Mista Awesum]

Exam Tip:

1) Use every available time you have to study.

2) Limit the time you spend with friends and family. Yes, you or they may not like that, but it helps.

3) Don't take any time off. I did that a few times and it is taking me longer than expected to finish.

4) And BELIEVE in yourself!!!!

---

AUD – 76

REG – 81

BEC – 77

FAR – WAITING ON SCORE (Not feeling too good about it).

[jetqueeny]

Exam Tip:

I would suggest not only burn through as many MCQs as possible, but also be sure to focus on why the other answers are wrong, and study the flash cards! I found them very helpful and I know that I'm improving.

[Anonymous]

Exam Tip: Sit for the exam as soon as possible, before marriage or children if possible. 🙂

Work Tip: Work can never be more important than your family. A balance between the two is extremely important to maintain a happy life.

[MelK813]

If you want to get your CPA, get it done as soon as possible after school. The material is fresh in your mind, you hopefully shouldn't have too hectic of a work schedule yet, and most likely won't have family responsibilities yet. The longer you wait to take it, the harder it is to get motivated and get it done.

[Author]

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