[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any tips for studying for Auditing using Becker? I am through half the material and feel like the amount of theory is over whelming. I am better with the actual numbers and calculations.

What did you guys/girls do to review for this exam?

Thanks for any and all help!

[jonnyp]

I feel similar. It's taking me nearly 2 weeks just to trudge through A1… The material is so much more dense than FAR

Becker Self Study
FAR 5/21/15-- 83
AUD 8/20/15-- 72, 10/8/15-- 68, 2/29/16-- 83
BEC 11/30/15-- 77
REG 1/20/16--81

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

If I remember correctly, A1 and A2 are by far the most important chapters. Don't spent much time (if any) on A5 (sampling). A6 isn't worth much of your time either.

Make sure you know how the reports are formatted (the different paragraphs included, who is responsible for what (management vs. auditor), what the different opinions mean, etc.).

Also spend time on internal controls/coso.

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[jonnyp]

Thanks. The feeling I was getting was that perhaps A1 is taking so long since it covers so many basics.

Nice scores…seems you just missed the award with the 94

Becker Self Study
FAR 5/21/15-- 83
AUD 8/20/15-- 72, 10/8/15-- 68, 2/29/16-- 83
BEC 11/30/15-- 77
REG 1/20/16--81

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

Got the 2014 EWS. You just need above 95.5 AVERAGE, not on every exam.

A1 is a pain for sure. A2 also. But they are by far the most heavily tested, so worth your time to go through in details

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice Waving hands, and congrats on the award.

[mkrohmer]

I have mixed feelings on that advice. I haven't taken the exam yet (I am through all the chapters and am reviewing now with 2 weeks to go) so I can't speak from any experience. Obviously wavingmyhands is smart based on the grades so I value his/her opinion but it completely contradicts what Beckers breakdown of exam topic % states. If you look at the Outlines it tells u what % of the exam should be expected:

Evaluating audit findings, communications & Reporting = 16-20% (found in A1, A2, A4, A5, A6)

Accounting & review service engagements = 12-16% (found in A2)

Engagement acceptance & understanding the assignment = 12-16% (found in A3)

Understanding the entity & its environment, including IC = 16-20% (found in A3)

Performing Audit Procedures & evaluating audit evidence 16-20% (found in A4, A5)

Professional responsibilities = 16-20% (found in A6)

Personally, I was told by several friends that took audit to focus on A3-A4. The Topics in A1 are definitely very important to lay the basis for understanding but once you go through everything that stuff is kind of basic and second nature. I'm not sure if I would listen to the don't bother with A5-A6 comment either because they make up a large portion of the test. Granted I found A6 very easy and kind of common sense because a lot of that is covered in the other 3 sections but its still 16-20% of the exam. Again I haven't sat for this section yet but I'm just basing this off of what I've been told and Beckers breakdown.

BEC - 83 (1/23/15)
FAR - 80 (4/3/15)
REG - 88 (5/14/15)
AUD - 81 (7/3/15)

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

I took the exams last year, so I'm guessing the version of Becker I used was at least 1 version behind the most up to date version. Possible that they changed up what is covered in each chapter.

Maybe this is a better outlook:

Focus on the report structure, and who has responsibility for different things (management vs auditors)

Focus on Internal Controls and Ethics

Do not focus on sampling

Everything else, in my opinion, is a middle ground. Likely will be tested, so study it. But if you're struggling, it doesn't mean you will fail.

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[shanek327]

@ Waivinghands – I've been struggling to decide how much time to spend on A5 with my retake coming up in 10days. Thanks for clarifying. What do you think about relevant assertions and transaction cycles? that's where I am now and I;m struggling…what's most important to know there?

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[Skynet]

Internal Controls on Accounting Cycles & Accounting Cycles and their Assertions.

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

It's worth taking the time to try to understand what assertions would be most relevant for different types of accounts (existence = assets, completeness = liabilities, cutoff = revenue, etc.). As far as memorizing transaction cycles, I would say its not worth the effort. Watch the lectures if you have the time, and do the hw. But don't go crazy

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[Author]

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