[misanthrope87]

My next item to attack is audit. I’m gonna be using Becker Audit 2011. Should I supplement it with Wiley, or what else? How many hours to study??

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Snausages]

My first strategy for AUD was to slit my throat because I can't stand the subject, but after some further thought, I just used Becker and backed it up with the Wiley Text Book and Wiley Focus Notes. I used Becker first, reviewed lectures, tried suggested problems, took notes, then tried all module problems. I repeated for each module, then did the whole process for each module again. Since I took good notes in a legal pad, I had a decent understanding of the audit process (this is key) from a high level, then filled in the detail to round out the knowledge. Then I used the Wiley Text for more support, and utilized the sample problems and simulations at the end of each chapter. I added more notes to my previous notes. Then I just practiced Becker questions and simulations while reviewing my own notes and Wiley Focus Notes until the exam (for about 4-5 days). All in all, it took me about 3 weeks, giving 5 hours per day or so, a bit more on the weekends. I actually scored very well, and the key was knowing the entire audit process, then the detail beneath it. Doing as many questions as possible fortified the theory, and I also learned from each question by looking and the right and wrong answers and knowing why it was right (or wrong). Some people like AUD and feel it's easy. I on the other hand, hate AUD, and the entire subject. But after learning this way, I actually did really well on the exam and also enjoyed the subject.

[misanthrope87]

Well,..I'm glad you thought it over! I just read the first 27 pages of A1. Audit reports…very boring. I have a feeling this is gonna be a boring subject, and I'm an auditor too. Thank you for your input! Sounds solid. I'll try to do as much as I can even though I'm working. I'm positive I'll need to study more than you did though.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[jdd32005]

@misanthrope87,

I agree with Snausages that you must understand audit from a “big picture” standpoint. You can rule out a lot of wrong answers simply by understanding broad concepts and applying them to the questions (e.g. the differences between a compilation and a review). Key words in each question will help you quickly eliminate wrong choices. Becker does a good job of presenting the major points and helping you develop a general understanding of them. I passed using Becker alone, so it is sufficient, in my opinion. You will also need knowledge of detailed material, but mastering the highlights first will make that a bit easier.

Although I feel like AUD is one of the “easier” tests, you need to put in roughly as much study time as you would for the “harder” sections. There's no reason to underestimate any CPA test. I can't really give you a number of hours to study for, but I would budget at least a month of prep time for the exam. That is, 2-3 weeks to get through the lectures and MCQs one time each, then 1-2 weeks to review. Find a system that works for you and stick with it.

Good luck.

BEC - 85 FAR - 83
REG - 84 AUD - 86
DONE. First time's a charm.

[Snausages]

@misanthrope: as long as you do a thorough plan that's comfortable for you and considers your work/life obligations, you will do fine. i liked becker very much, and i feel it's great to pass the exam, but since i neither have a pure accounting background, education or career, i needed the extra materials. the thing i liked most about the wiley text is that in the first section, they gave an excellent high-level, critical concept overview of the audit/attest process. i marked those pages up a lot as i learned the detail. i never saw that in becker. so when i actually went through becker the first time, it was all disjointed (for me). i was doing well on the MC questions, but really new the materials in a disjointed fashion. when i read that overview in wiley text, not only did all the concepts get reinforced, it actually gave me a firm understanding of the high-level process, which made the detail and the audit core materials flow that much better in my pea-brain. i found myself saying ‘a-ha!' this is all clear now and it's pretty easy. as jdd says above, you will be able to quickly read a question and know exactly where you are in the audit process and stage (eliminating one or two choices right away), and further reading of the question should clarify the one correct answer. read the question and answers again if you must. but please be careful (but not unconfident) on AUD. they try to trick you, so it's imperative you know the audit process, the detail in each stage, and how to handle it. if you know your stuff, it won't seem like a tricky test. even for a non-auditor and non-accountant like me, it became very easy after mastering the high-level audit process and understanding the detail within. all these ‘reports, opinions, issues, non-issuer, transaction cycles, etc' will all be so easy to categorize into that high-level picture soon, and you will nail the exam. good luck! but please do put the work you require until you feel personally comfortable (don't worry about other people studying in ‘one week' or ‘finishing the entire exam in 2 hours'. forget all that noise. you do what's good for you). the important thing is feeling confident about the answers you have selected, and passing the exam. no need to set any ego records or such. a pass is a pass, even if it's a 75 iusing the whole 4 hours, or a 99 using 2 hours.

[yankeeaccountant]

Awesome thread!

I have to agree with Snausages, Auditing is like watching paint dry for me. I have taken Audit twice now and failed. The two lowest scores I have gotten on any of the exams has been Audit. I have no audit experience, and my class experience was an online course that I learned pretty much nothing. So, I have a tough time with this subject.

I used Becker both times and used Wiley Testbank in addition to cpareviewforfree. I found that when I slowed down and read thru the question, I did better. If I go quickly, I miss the “key” word or direction of the question. So, this time I will use the Yaeger cram, because I heard that Gary Bomash is awesome. I will take Snausages advice and get the Wiley book, because I obviously am missing something.

thanks jdd and snausages for the info. I sit on Nov 23, but have to take REG (again-crap!!!!) before. So, I am going to have a carefully planned schedule. Gotta get my ducks in a row. I have to get passed this one!!

Best of luck misanthrope–let's get past Audit!

[Anonymous]

@Snausages

Wow i feel a lot better now after reading your comment.

Here are the reasons why I hate AUD so much…

1) im a slow reader

2) im stupid

3) its boring

4) i have no exp

5) AUD

[v61312]

Anyone who just took AUD this window that came out feeling great or previous AUD taker that score in the 90….what your strategy for attacking this exam. This will be my sixth time taking it and I need to pass it otherwhile i will lose my other credits.

Im desperate for any advice that would help me pass this exam. I work full time and I have about 3 weeks left until my exam…PLEASE HELPPPPP

[lindjlny]

I found that going over the mc questions a lot helped me out….but you have to understand why you got the question right or wrong, very important…even if you got the question right, try to explain to yourself why it is right, as if you had to right an explanation for it…if that makes any sense, lol..good luck to you

[Author]

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