[mccarta7]

I just started studying for AUD this week after a month of after taking FAR and the only way I can think to describe the switch is as weird. I’m moving through the reading so much quicker and I am actually doing pretty well at MCQ review sessions on the first try. It’s so much less overwhelming and I am actually feeling pretty calm even though I generally have an anxious mind set when it comes to these exams. My only concern is that I continue to take my studying seriously despite the process feeling easier this time around. I don’t want to be over confident and miss important details assuming I understand them. I know none of these exams are easy, but has anyone else felt this way in switching from FAR to AUD?
Additionally, can anyone point to some major areas to focus on in my AUD studies? I know in FAR many suggested a strong understanding of Governmental and NFP, along with the traditionally harder topics like bonds, leases and consolidations, but I am having a hard time sorting out the big important topics in AUD.

[cpApex Predator]

I am with you on that. I took FAR on July 26, just got done with REG, and have been studying AUD for the last ten days. Both FAR and REG have so much computation compared to AUD. Doing AUD MCQ I don't even need a pen, paper, or calculator. I am not doing as well as you are on the MCQ, largely due to my lack of previous studies in the subject. Took 3 classes covering FAR material, 2 classes for REG material, but only took one auditing class and didn't spend as much time studying for that class. I think it will be easier to get to the top of the mountain of information, though, whereas with FAR I never felt like I got to the top of the mountain of information. Good luck!

[Parthamis]

I took AUD in May and scored a 73. I moved straight to studying for FAR and it was such a pain! I just took it on Friday and do not feel good about it at all due to the sims. But back on topic, I'm happy that you feel more at ease after studying for FAR, you have an easy time studying for AUD. I plan on taking a full 7 weeks to study, review and take the test. Then back to FAR if it turns out I failed…

If you are using Becker, I would highly recommend spending more time on A4 than the other chapters. All 6 are quite a high percentage, but if anything, take an extra day or 2 on A4 more than the other chapters to make sure you have your content in check. From what I remember, the Sims will not be as terrible as FAR either.

[accountingmisfit]

I can definitely echo everything you're saying. I took FAR Q2 and then went into AUD with the hopes of doing it in early July and getting it done with. It seemed pretty intuitive and easy after FAR and as a result I wasted most of the summer and just finally took the exam on Friday.

I'd focus on knowing the difference between the different SSARS engagements and reports.

[Superdude3000]

While I didn't go from FAR to AUD, I found AUD to be the easiest section to study for. AUD is much less of different sections and instead is more so ‘big picture'. Understand the differences between audits and attestation engagements and you'll likely be good to go!

[Anonymous]

They are completely different exams. FAR is heavy computational and technical information. Whereas AUD is very conceptual and situational. However, I will warn you that AUD questions on the exam are very tricky and not black and white like FAR questions. As a result, AUD traditionally has had the lowest passing rate on average.

On the other hand, keep up the good work and making progress on AUD!! Knowing the FAR material will definitely give you a leg up in the AUD exam verses candidates who have not taken FAR.

Goodluck!

[Anonymous]

*a HUGE leg up ^ (I wanted to add – knowing the FAR material).

I even saw a straight up FAR question on my REG exam today! The question was not even covered in REG – anywhere! Lol.

Goodluck.

[Anonymous]

AUD was so easy to study for! It didn't even feel like studying and at only 6 chapters it's like half of FAR material and so much easier to digest! I am in Chapter 4 of FAR and I am a nervous wreck all day every day! I somehow I don't think 2.5 weeks of final review is going to be enough once I am done going through all of Becker…

[Anonymous]

When I transitioned from FAR to AUD last year, I did notice how AUD seemed easier to study for because there weren't too many calculations. I ended up not passing, partially because I didn't figure out a way to study for these exams and partially because I thought it was so much easier than FAR that I didn't need to take it as seriously. Clearly I was not correct, and everyone should take all these exams seriously. But for my retakes, I did enjoy AUD more than FAR when I was studying.

[mafalo1989]

I thought that AUD was pretty comprehensive as far as what to study for. I took FAR before AUD like you and there are some FAR concepts that pop up in AUD quite often which I think helped when I went to study for AUD. I left FAR feeling like I bombed it and I left AUD feeling decent, I at least had more than enough time to answer everything and even when I wasn't 100% sure about a SIM I was able to guess well enough, there were things on the FAR that I had absolutely no idea how to complete and I got stuck with like 3 or 4 DRS which was obnoxious. Compared to FAR the AUD exam was still difficult but much, much easier. I felt the same with studying, for FAR I could barely get through the information and I studied for months and almost didn't finish the Becker lectures. I had to rush through the Gov't sections and I had very little time to review and the sad part is that most of the things that Becker said were “highly tested items” were not even on my exam so I spent hours and hours and hours reviewing things that I didn't see even once. I know each exam is different but the only thing that Becker said was “heavily tested” that actually was heavily tested was the Gov't stuff. I easily got through AUD, studying FAR first helped a lot. I'd suggest to still study hard and take it seriously, it isn't going to hurt you to study more in advance. You'll have more time to review that way and refresh on some concepts that aren't sticking so well.

[CPAwesomeCA]

It's called the FAR-PTSD. Hopefully your feeling is right and you're going to nail AUD in the head! 😉

[Author]

Replies