[Anonymous]

so i just finished FAR and if i pass, (which is a big if), should i take BEC second? i heard they’re making some changes to the exam next year but not sure when it goes into effect. i was originally planning to take REG next as my masters was in tax and its generally considered the 2nd exam with the most studying required after FAR. thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I haven't kept up with the BEC changes closely, but I would assume they're effective Jan 1, so unless you're going to test in the next 5 days for this window, I don't think the changes date will matter much!

For an exam to take right after FAR, I would recommend AUD. FAR is GAAP-based; AUD is GAAP-enforcement-based, so AUD after FAR is usually a good fit. REG switched to tax (and business) law, and while it sounds like you're already pretty familiar with tax law, it's a major mind-shift from GAAP, so it would make sense to me to try to do all the GAAP and then switch to tax. BEC is more about internal matters – cost accounting and general business – so it's yet another accounting-style and, again, I'd try not to put it in the middle of the GAAP tests.

However, they can be taken in any order, so if you would feel more comfortable with another order, go for it!

[Anonymous]

I haven't kept up with the BEC changes closely, but I would assume they're effective Jan 1, so unless you're going to test in the next 5 days for this window, I don't think the changes date will matter much!

For an exam to take right after FAR, I would recommend AUD. FAR is GAAP-based; AUD is GAAP-enforcement-based, so AUD after FAR is usually a good fit. REG switched to tax (and business) law, and while it sounds like you're already pretty familiar with tax law, it's a major mind-shift from GAAP, so it would make sense to me to try to do all the GAAP and then switch to tax. BEC is more about internal matters – cost accounting and general business – so it's yet another accounting-style and, again, I'd try not to put it in the middle of the GAAP tests.

However, they can be taken in any order, so if you would feel more comfortable with another order, go for it!

[tough_kitty]

I like Lilla's suggestion.

As you can see, I had a different order but if I were to re-do it I'd take AUD right after FAR and leave BEC for the end because it requires the least amount of hours to study (at least for me it did) and after 3 exams you'll feel burnt out.

I'm not sure how I passed AUD with such a good score because I literally studied for maybe 60 hrs total. 2 weeks of intense studying, then about 6 weeks of barely studying (max 5 hrs a week) and 2 weeks of some studying (MCQs and last week review).

So, any order can work but to maximize your efficiency, I'd say take AUD next. And if you study tax, you will still remember it when you take REG later. 🙂

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I like Lilla's suggestion.

As you can see, I had a different order but if I were to re-do it I'd take AUD right after FAR and leave BEC for the end because it requires the least amount of hours to study (at least for me it did) and after 3 exams you'll feel burnt out.

I'm not sure how I passed AUD with such a good score because I literally studied for maybe 60 hrs total. 2 weeks of intense studying, then about 6 weeks of barely studying (max 5 hrs a week) and 2 weeks of some studying (MCQs and last week review).

So, any order can work but to maximize your efficiency, I'd say take AUD next. And if you study tax, you will still remember it when you take REG later. 🙂

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

thanks, i tried looking on the aicpa's official website but couldnt find any specific date for the changes in BEC and what they actually are. i guess taking AUD next would be ok as well, i assume the amount of material needed to know for AUD is less than half that of FAR. considering i took about 4 months to study for FAR, would 2 months be enough time? i work full time (40 hrs a week) and mainly study weekends and a few hours after work

[Anonymous]

thanks, i tried looking on the aicpa's official website but couldnt find any specific date for the changes in BEC and what they actually are. i guess taking AUD next would be ok as well, i assume the amount of material needed to know for AUD is less than half that of FAR. considering i took about 4 months to study for FAR, would 2 months be enough time? i work full time (40 hrs a week) and mainly study weekends and a few hours after work

[tough_kitty]

I think it should be more than enough. Like I said, I spent about 60 hrs total studying for AUD. FAR took me about 150 hrs with Roger CPA Review.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I think it should be more than enough. Like I said, I spent about 60 hrs total studying for AUD. FAR took me about 150 hrs with Roger CPA Review.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

And no worries about BEC. From what I read, they were planning to meet and talk about the higher passing rate. I'm sure they won't make any huge changes to it in the next 6 months (at least) or so and that's enough time for you to pass all 3 parts.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

And no worries about BEC. From what I read, they were planning to meet and talk about the higher passing rate. I'm sure they won't make any huge changes to it in the next 6 months (at least) or so and that's enough time for you to pass all 3 parts.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Author]

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