[j_accountant]

Hello all,

I have checked with NASBA on my eligibility to sit for the CPA exam already which was a green light. I am however completely new to accounting although I have read books on BS and Cash Flow analysis which I studied for personal investment decisions. I realized that I have a great deal of interest for finance. To cut a long story short, I am planning to write the CPA exam.
I am reasonably intelligent and come from a hardcore science and math background. However, I sometimes struggle to understand simple things like proportions but can glide through Calculus and advanced math. I don’t have any idea why.

I am looking for a CPA review course that is not only good for understanding basics but also won’t bore me to death as enjoying the material is really important to me.

I already reviewed the first few chapters of Rogers. While he is engaging, I find that he glosses over things from the text book. Also I worry about how good his explanations will be for advanced topics. Sometimes I can feel my head spin and heart race listening to him but I also do love his style of teaching at the same time (contradiction I know!)

I went over to Yaeger meanwhile to check out the free trial. But am not able to make a comparative assessment for the same chapter as they don’t give full access, only selected preview. I am not at all averse to Yaeger’s teaching style. But over a period of 60 hours, I wonder if it would be effective. The great thing about Rogers is he repeats things verbally to you and makes you automatically memorize things. I get lazy in a classroom sitting and get too comfortable just writing down notes and not actively learning.

Please advice me on making a decision.

[j_accountant]

Should have used the title, “New to accounting: Rogers vs. Yaeger”, but anywho.

[Andyred04]

Sorry can't really give any insight on Roger or Yaeger but have you taken a look at Gleim? I used Gleim as my primary review course with the supplements of Ninja and had success. Gleim is very detailed which I think would be very beneficial for someone who is new to accounting. Might be worth a look.

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[Anonymous]

how did you clear the education requirement for the CPA exam if you don't have any accounting courses under your belt? Anywho, I have not used Roger or Yeager, I liked Becker and used Ninja to supplement. Btw, I am an accountant and I don't believe you will find any of this interesting or engaging, I mean it's accounting, boring and dry….

[noclady]

Wouldn't you check with your state board to check your eligibility? I had a lot of science and math in my undergrad too, but still had to take classes for 2 yrs just to sit for the exam. At any rate….I've seen Roger videos online and I like his lecture style. But I didn't like the writing on the whiteboard. Maybe newer material is different? I do like Becker, and I think the way their course is organized and their lecture methods work well for me. I'll have to check out Gleim, though. Since being on these boards, I've heard a lot of good things about it.

[j_accountant]

Yes I have heard a lot of good things about Gleim but I don't trust myself to read the info and assimilate it all on my own

[PDiddy2000]

Since you have a great deal of interest in finance and you've studied for personal investments, maybe the CFA is more ideal for you. Don't automatically assume that the CPA is your best and only option.

[j_accountant]

Pls guys I'd appreciate input regarding the review course alone. I have already spent months analyzing the path and obstacles.

[j_accountant]

I think CA and WI allow you to sit with 120 hours but you need to complete the rest before licensure (trying to use the reply feature and dont know if it worked @noclady)

[Anonymous]

ideally a combination of Wiley and Gleim. Wiley for lectures and Gleim for the Sim practice and QB. Either alone is sufficient if you are diligent. If you had an issue understanding some topic on your study material, you should google/youtube the topic and should be able to find someone that will explain it in a better way.

[noclady]

@j_accountant – I see. I just know that here in Texas, no one can even sit for the exam until all of the educational requirements have been completed. But I know each state has its own requirements.

[Recked]

I always recommend trying as many free trials as you can.
I tried Gleim, Wiley and Roger free trials. Considered Becker but between the cost and some negative reviews, I did not even look for a free trial of Becker.
I ended up stumbling on some of Roger's youtube videos when I was researching the AFS rules. I was hooked.

First you need to figure out what your learning style is, and then decide which course best fits your learning style.
I am convinced you can pass with any course out there, but why not try to enjoy it as much as you can, or make it suck as little as possible is probably more accurate.

Also, the Roger lectures do not replace the textbook. I will admit I did not really read the books, too dry. But I did lots of MCQs and if I found there was something I was struggling with I would go back to the book to freshen up on it.

[j_accountant]

Thanks for all the input. I seemed to have misunderstood the requirements for WI. You can sit for the exam with 120 credits but of those 24 in accounting and business each are required.
California needs 150 and additional specs or a Master's.
Back to square one. I wish I caught this bug at least 3 years ago.

[noclady]

@j_accountant – It really might not be as bad as you might think. I ended up with 50 units in accounting and business classes over 2 additional yrs of school just to qualify to take the exam in TX. And many of those units had to be physically attended (TX doesn't allow 100% online). While it seemed like a long time, it really flew by. And, even though I had already been working in staff/sr. accountant roles for several yrs before I took classes, I'm glad I had to take the classes. Whatever you decided to do, good luck. Only you can decide whether it will all be worth it in the end.

[Anonymous]

Hi, BSc in Actuarial Science here. Took a few introductory accounting courses for my degree and took additional classes with UNA which made me eligible to sit in Maine. Maine and Alaska are two states with the least requirements to sit, I believe, but the work requirements are stricter. Not sure how much, or if this has changed.

I used Wiley (UNA courses use Wiley material) because I needed the extra details to understand everything better. It did get boring but I don't think you can get around reading the books and being bored by videos and textbooks for these exams. The videos were more supplementary for me.

Of course, your choice depends mainly on your learning style but give the Wiley free trial a chance. I think they give you two weeks to see if you would be comfortable with the material.

[Steph]

When you get your eligibility sorted:

I can't say enough good things about Roger. He got me through three exams and three passes in a row. He covers the broad strokes in his lectures and the text covers the rest. I also purchased NINJA MCQs and NINJA Notes (back when you could buy them a la carte) because I wanted to cover whatever else could get thrown at me that Roger potentially didn't address.

REG: 60, RETAKE MAY 2016
FAR: AUG 2016
AUD: APR 2016
BEC: 68, RETAKE PENDING

[Author]

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