[PonyUP]

Does anyone have advice for someone over 50, who have been out of school for 30 years?
I have been working in Finance for 30 years and have resin to the level where not having a CPA is hindering my advancement to an Executive Leadership level. I am planning on sitting for the CPA exam starting in February. It has been 30 years since I took most of my accounting classes. I work full time, but I am an empty nester. So I now have time to devote to this life goal.

Does anyone have advice on what is the best way to tackle this exam?

Which combination of review classes is best for someone needing a refresher on foundation principals?

I am finding that industry application so widely different then CPA principals tested. Any advice how to unlearn on the job principals?

Since I am not getting any younger, time is a factor. My goal is to go hard core, and plow through it fast.

I am doing FAR first (I feel the foundation will help me in the other tests)
Then BEC (should be the easy one for me, taking next because I might need motivation if a bomb FAR),
Then AUD (because it is fresher on my mind)
Then REG (most worried about, need the most time)

Any advice on study aids and methods for older learners would be appreciated.

I do have an hour commute to work, so podcasts would help. Has anyone found great audio lessons for long drives?

[DM]

I am older CPA exam taker while working full time – I took REG first, BEC, AUD, then FAR. I scheduled REG and BEC a month apart. I took my time studying for REG, 6 weeks, because I didn't want to fail and got an 86. I planned on studying for both at once, but ended up all REG. I gave myself 3 weeks to pass BEC and that was a brutal few weeks of studying, but I passed with 80. I almost stopped the CPA exam (different story), but ended up scheduling my last two, AUD and FAR in month 18. So a lot was riding on these exams. I spent 4 weeks on FAR leading up to the exam, 88. And only 11 days on AUD leading up to the exam, 82. REG and AUD were the easiest exams for me.
REG is very predictable, but lots of material.
BEC is very unpredictable, but good ‘test takers' can get through this exam. Take more time on this if you are not good at MCQs.
FAR is challenging and requires confidence and a clear mind. This is actually the only place where my college education was practical.
AUD is a skill. If you know how to audit, then this exam material is easy to retain.
During this time, I worked 9 to 5, studied from like 6 till midnight, everyday, and then studied for 10 hours on the weekend. I basically locked myself in CPA Exam jail for weeks at a time, but that was my method of preparing.

[TheoneinDenver]

Hello:

I'm not 50 but I'm in my 40's-I am just starting the CPA journey and I am overwhelmed already!

How did you find a CPA review to fit your needs?
I am paying for this myself so Becker is out. I need something “cheap” and will do the trick-
I plan on taking REG first as I work in Trust Tax and feel like this will help.

I don't even know where to begin in terms of study plan…no I do not know any CPA's so I'm all alone

Any advice ???

[Mkilpat]

Hi, I just recently passed all four parts at 39 and being out of school for 17 years, so kind of the same situation. I would recommend taking FAR and then AUD or REG and BEC last. BEC took more time than anticipated to study for but the other parts all are kind of intertwined and build upon each other so you will find you know some things on AUD or REG from FAR. Also, I used NINJA monthly for all four parts and passed the first time in about 9 months.

The method that worked for me was just doing as many MCQ's as possible and making sure I knew why I missed the problem and then making sure I could apply the concepts in different problems. For FAR I read all the books, but truthfully I didn't get a lot out of that and found by taking lots of notes while working out the problems really helped. Another thing I think was so helpful was doing the AICPA practice exams and really understanding how to get the answers, not just regurgitating information. Also, I planned for one test a quarter and told myself there was no changing dates or second guessing the time line, I think that really helped when nerves started setting in.

Good luck with your studying!

[TheoneinDenver]

MKilpat:

Thanks for the advice-I was going to do REG first then FAR-which review did you use?
I'm thinking Gleim but may do Wiley-

Thank you

[Author]

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