[jeff]

BEC Study Group Links and Resources:

1. NINJA Monthly – $67 BEC Course
2. Free BEC Notes
3. BEC Course Comparison
4. How to Pass BEC (with NINJA)
5. How to Pass BEC (in 20 Days)
6. How to Pass BEC (after Failing)

See Also:

• FAR Study Group
• AUD Study Group
• REG Study Group
• BEC Study Group

[Alex]

@MissionCPA, wait until you start working on Becker's section B4. In my opinion, sections B2 and B4 in Becker are the worst 🙁

[YouCanDoIt]

how much importance would you guys give to studying Cost Accounting? I have read its not that popular?

FAR: 76
REG: Currently studying
AUD:
BEC:

[sg235]

You've read wrong.. I'd say. Every exam is diff but you have to study it to a fairly large extent.
ex. variances – don't go in without not knowing these.

[Sturg]

If you are given a variable income statement (or CM statement) and asked to find ROI, would you use the net operating income before the adjustments for favorable/unfavorable OH variances or include those and take the final net income number?? Any thoughts would be great. I have all my equations memorized but having trouble applying the correct numbers it seems..

[jjjgolf500]

Baby Frames, Inc., evaluates manufacturing overhead by using variance analysis. The following information applies to the month of May:

Actual Budgeted
Number of frames manufactured 19,000 20,000
Variable overhead costs $ 4,100 $2 per direct labor hour
Fixed overhead costs $22,000 $20,000; $1 per unit
Direct labor hours 2,100 hours 0.1 hour per frame
What is the fixed overhead volume variance?

A. $200 favorable
B. $200 unfavorable
C. $400 favorable
D. $400 unfavorable
You answered C. The correct answer is B.
The fixed overhead volume variance is the difference between the actual quantity (AQ) of inputs in units (2,100 hrs) and the standard quantity (SQ) of inputs in units for the outputs achieved (19,000 × 0.1 = 1,900) times the standard price per unit.[(2,100 – 1,900) × $1 = $200]

As AQ is greater than SQ, the variance is unfavorable.

I posted this in the study group but wanted to ask here as well. Why is the Actual Quantity used here? I thought the volume variance used Budgeted vs Applied??? Everything Ive seen has the volume variance as Budgeted vs Applied.

Thanks!

[Sturg]

Hi Jjjgolf500. Great question! Your right, the Roger text has Volume variance as the difference between flexible budget @ standard and applied. It also has the equation as …

volume variance = (standard DL hour x Pre-fixed OH rate) – Budgeted fixed OH

.. but that doesn't make much sense to me. The only thing I can think of is that because volume variance deals only with fixed costs, actual and applied are basically the same thing?? I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable will respond. Good luck!

[nicholasloprinzi25]

Hi All,

I took AUD at the beginning of the window & now I am studying for BEC as I wait for my AUD score. As I'm studying BEC I feel a bit overwhelmed (even though I feel like this every time I start studying a new part of the exam). Does anyone have any suggestions that may help with studying for BEC (i.e., certain topics that are important)? Thanks!

[SAMP03]

Although most review courses really stress cost accounting, personally from my experience I did not see as much of it on the exam as I was expecting to. Also if you do enough MCQs for variance analysis and ratios, you will see that they get easier and easier after a while. If you are studying with Becker make sure you are good on B1, B2 and B6, these where areas I found the hardest on the exam.

[SAMP03]

BEC can seem overwhelming since none of the sections are organically connected, but I found that if you work on MCQs and identify your problem areas via progress tests, you will be able to pinpoint what sections to you need to study the most. For each section below are the areas I focused most on when I was studying for my BEC exam.

1 – Application of COSO principles
2 – Understanding how to calc WACC
3 – n/a It is relatively easier compared to other sections.
4 – Variance analysis and ratios
5 – Porter' factors and demand curves
6 – Everything! must have done over 200 MCQs from this section and yet saw stuff on the exam that I had no clue about.

[Anonn]

Hi everyone.

Any thoughts on either skipping or completing Wiley’s TBS and WC components?

And if you skipped these lessons, how did you best prepare for these portions on the exam?

Thanks!

[Mission CPA]

For people using Becker, what are y'all scoring on your homework MCQ on your first go around after you have listened to the lectures? I feel like I grasp the material as I read the book and take notes, but can't seem to put it together on the homework until I go through it multiple times, at which point I may be memorizing the answers.

[To0ld2Pass]

@MMissionCPA, I didn't do well on the MPQ either. My average was probably 70-75%. By the end of the material i was just shooting for getting 2 right for every 1 wrong. Didn't do amazing on exam but I passed. Also didn't get hit with anything out of ordinary on exam so that was a plus.

[nicholasloprinzi25]

I'm using Becker to study for BEC. I feel like I'm understanding the lectures & the notes, but when I get to the MCQ's it seems totally different. There seems to be questions about material that isn't even covered in the book. I'm starting to feel extremely discouraged. Is anyone else having this problem? Or, is there anyone that took BEC already that can help me out with this? Thanks.

[Anonn]

I’m using Wiley and I feel the same way. The concepts are pretty straight forward, but the MC is 100x more difficult. They also throw a lot of non covered questions, but I usually Google the concept to try and get a baseline understanding then move on.

[Mission CPA]

@To0ld2Pass thanks for the advice! I wish I was scoring 70%, but sadly I am lucky if I even get 50% correct my first go around. I haven't had this issue on any of the other exams I have taken. Keep plugging away I guess!
@Nicholaslopinzi25 that is exactly what I am running into. My method for the last three exams (which I have passed) is not working for BEC. The only idea I have is to get through the material as quick as possible (I have B4-B6 left) and work as many MCQs as possible leading up to my exam (3/10/19).
@Bagelino I am glad to hear it is not only Becker material that is like this. I am so confused how this exam has the best passing rates. These questions are challenging.
Hopefully our studying turns around soon. Good luck y'all!

[Author]

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