[gcle012]

I am starting my MAcc in September, and will be working full time as well.

I was wondering when should I start studying for my CPA? The program will take roughly 2 years approximately. Also when should I take the actual exam?

[Anonymous]

Start studying for the CPA exam as soon as you get done reading this post.

[loveandbeloved]

@crazyleon – AHHAHAHA!

I agree! Start studying as soon as possible! Do NOT wait 3 years after you graduate like I did because working full time and studying is too stressful! I'm finally able to work part-time and can fully commit to studying.

[Son]

Are you already working full-time? If not, it is in your best interest to start studying asap and try to finish the exams before school/work starts.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[ultrarunner]

I am in a master program and work full-time. It is quite challenging. I used to study for the exams while I was working. That was harder. Doing three things together would be daunting. My suggestion is to study and take FAR now before the school/work starts. When you start working and school, please take only one class. Then, you may have a little time to study for the exams. Master in accounting is no joke, but you could do it. Good luck!

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

Trust me on this, everyone – DON'T wait to study for the CPA exam. People told me many years ago that I needed to get all the education credits done and sit for the exams as soon as humanly possible. I didn't. Now I'm 40 years old and the sheer agony of knowing that there are people 15 years younger than I am (or more!) knocking all of these exams out in one window is utterly demeaning and makes me feel more worthless than dust on a coffee table. Well, it did at one time, not so much anymore because I kinda stopped caring, although I am still studying with the intent of eventually passing. Hopefully before I'm 45. There is nothing worse than hearing other people say “You could've”, “you should've”, “why didn't you?”. This past week I had lunch with a friend in a Mexican restaurant. He asked me how many sections I'd sat for. “But you haven't passed any of them yet?” I felt like the fly that landed on the salsa. He's a CPA, btw, and has been for like 15 years.

[Ag12thman]

@crazyleon – I am about your age and am in the same boat. You're not alone. OP, listen to crazyleon and others on here who say DO IT AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. Do not delay because life just gets more busy, you get more involved at work, you have more to take care of with regards to your family (or future family) and then it gets a TON more difficult to do. Time is precious so do not waste it and get it knocked out as soon as you can. Learn from those of us who did not take care of it sooner, but should or could have.

FAR: July 2016

[Anonymous]

@Ag12th Yup, lots and lots of things start getting in the way once you hit your late 30s/early 40s. By then most people have families and/or other financial obligations and things that are potential huge roadblocks. And, by then, you've probably had a couple long-running jobs that have paid you at least somewhat well and you've gotten comfortable with them, or working in a certain kind of industry. The sheer “over 40” thing is a very hard thing to deal with. It's like you're too young to retire, far too young to die, but far too old to start over.

The AICPA has lots of things that they will never admit to, they have more skeletons in their closet than I'd care to count. And one of them is that these exams are designed to be passed by a certain kind of person…and one of the primary traits is a *young* or *younger* person whose brain is still malleable (adaptable) enough to soak up lots of new things and not even be fazed by it or challenged much by it. Ever hear the expression “Youth is wasted on the young?” Word to the wise – Don't get so busy or involved in things that you neglect the CPA exam. Once you pass, so many more doors will be opened for you that will remain closed and locked for those who don't have the credential. There are those of us who do change careers later on and decide to become CPA candidates after many years of working, and others who have worked in public/private for 10+ years and now need it to get promotions. But, if accounting is your career path, don't put it off. To quote one of my old accounting professors when talking about the CPA exam, “If you have even a slight inclination, you should do it because once the time is gone, you will never get it back.”

[RE2PECT]

@crazyleon- I'm 35 and just passed my last exam in March. Made a complete 180 from working in construction to going back to school and then studying for the exams. It sucks having to start all over and taking a big salary cut to start, but it will pay off in the long run.

I think I remember you mentioning about switching to Gleim for the rest of your exams. If I could go back I would have started off with them and possibly would have passed the exams that I was right on the bubble. Just keep working hard and you'll get it done!

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[Missy]

Its possible but very difficult to knock out these exams while working full time and in grad school. I did it but won't lie, it was hell.

I don't think studying for years or months for the CPA gives us a leg up. Honestly anything studied for the CPA much more than ten weeks earlier than exam day you start to lose especially if you've got so many other things going on.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[loveandbeloved]

I agree with @ultrarunner – if you can take only one class while in school, you may be able to study for the exams as well. I couldn't handle working full-time and studying (couldn't do it in college either). I can't imagine trying to balance grad school, working full-time, and studying for the CPA exam. Not saying it can't be done…. Each section of the CPA exam feels like 6 college courses. Just remember, you have the rest of your life to work full-time. Putting work off temporarily won't be as detrimental to your career as putting off the CPA exam. Also, you may even consider taking longer to get your degree in order to study for the exams, by taking one class at a time. The real key to getting a good job isn't in the degree – it's the CPA.

[Anonymous]

@crazyleon Truer words have never been spoken. I am in my late 30's and got comfortable at a job that pays well but my advancement opportunities were limited. I finally decided I have to do something for myself instead of watching others get the promotions. I used to say not a big deal but the older I got the more it bothered me. I so wish I would have taken the exam right out of college. I agree with everyone's advice here; take it as soon as possible.

[MommyCPA]

…yesterday.

[Anonymous]

@re2pect – yes definitely wish I'd used Gleim for FAR and AUD. Live and sometimes learn!! I might use Roger for REG because, after all, I already paid for it.
But, Gleim is really good for BEC I'm finding. He spells everything out and Roger skips a ton of stuff. Merely comparing the sizes of Gleim's and Roger's BEC textbooks proves that!

I didn't get the calling to do accounting until way late. But, I was in a very bad job in an industry that was dead. I knew I had to get out! Studying accounting (which cost like $6-7K)
and taking the CPA exams (another few thousand so far, for review course plus the exams) was the most cost-effective way to do it. I don't even know that I need the CPA for what I intend to do, which is internal audit. But….having it will mean that my resume remains at the top of the pile and doesn't just get tossed immediately! I hope!!

[gcle012]

I am going to be taking one class per term, and going to try to schedule to take maybe 2 classes per term (10 week classes), but when I'm taking one class I am going to be studying for the exam.

Should I try and complete the exam while still in school? Or just study and take the exam right after school. I am 22 and would like to be licensed by the time I am 25.

[Son]

Your call obviously, but you may try to get two sections done this summer, next one over winter holidays, then the last one next summer. You'll just have to see how easy/difficult the material is for you, and if you can juggle all three responsibilities at once. In my experience work doesn't get any easier as you climb the ladder, so I'd recommend you sit sooner than later.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Author]

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