[notebook8]

During the summer and in my last semester of college (with a really light work load), I was able to pass AUD and BEC in the 80’s and 90’s on the first try. That all changed, however, when I started working at KPMG

It is not even busy season yet, but I am already very busy at work. My usual hours are 9am-10:30, but I often work later than that. I tried waking up at 430am, but I could not function after a week. I also study 30-60mins when I get home, but it is really difficult to concentrate. My only study time is the Saturday and Sunday (if I don’t have to work).

Now, I keep taking and failed REG and FAR in the 50s and 60s and I know it is because I just haven’t been studying effectively. I tried the NINJA study plan, but it doesn’t fit with my current work schedule. I tried telling my job I have to study, but that doesn’t stop the fact that I still have to work late.

My AUD expires in August and I really want to finish before that but I just don’t know how anymore!

Can anyone please help and let me know what should/could I do? I am losing hope…

[mla1169]

I'm guessing you've been working full time about 2-3 months? Its a huge transition the first few months of a new job, actually ANY job. Don't be so hard on yourself. I would however keep trying however, youre working so many hours right now because you're learning but that should ease up a bit before busy season.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I'm guessing you've been working full time about 2-3 months? Its a huge transition the first few months of a new job, actually ANY job. Don't be so hard on yourself. I would however keep trying however, youre working so many hours right now because you're learning but that should ease up a bit before busy season.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[acamp]

What sort of PTO do you get over there? Might try taking a month off after busy season and trying to knock out the last two tests.

Your hours sound exceptionally shity for this time of year, do you see yourself on this job after busy season, and if so, is the Q work (if applicable) as intense as interim?

Plainly, I agree with you, working that many hours does not leave much room for CPA success. I took my exams outside of busy season, where I was working pretty sane hours at the time.

That said, if any of the above are not possible, with some discipline you might be able to make it work, hours 9-10:30, plan to hit a Starbucks near your work location at 8a. An hour a day can go a long way. I find people have more success studying before work than after

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

What sort of PTO do you get over there? Might try taking a month off after busy season and trying to knock out the last two tests.

Your hours sound exceptionally shity for this time of year, do you see yourself on this job after busy season, and if so, is the Q work (if applicable) as intense as interim?

Plainly, I agree with you, working that many hours does not leave much room for CPA success. I took my exams outside of busy season, where I was working pretty sane hours at the time.

That said, if any of the above are not possible, with some discipline you might be able to make it work, hours 9-10:30, plan to hit a Starbucks near your work location at 8a. An hour a day can go a long way. I find people have more success studying before work than after

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[samdiegoCPA]

Just thinking what you could possibly do:

Get in half an hour early to work, study for an hour (yes cutting into ‘start' time) or even more if you can. Put your head down and work nonstop til lunch, study at lunch extending it as much as possible, work 3 hours, study 30 min, then finish up work and study another hour. During work you could be listening to any type of audio, whether it be NINJA audio, or just having your review videos playing. Weekends do 10 hour study days.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[samdiegoCPA]

Just thinking what you could possibly do:

Get in half an hour early to work, study for an hour (yes cutting into ‘start' time) or even more if you can. Put your head down and work nonstop til lunch, study at lunch extending it as much as possible, work 3 hours, study 30 min, then finish up work and study another hour. During work you could be listening to any type of audio, whether it be NINJA audio, or just having your review videos playing. Weekends do 10 hour study days.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[henryv]

You still have until August before your AUD expires. You still have a lot of time!

I'm assuming you took the two test in one testing window. I'd advise you not to do that when working with that work schedule. Plan ahead. I always schedule my exam 2 months prior to taking it. Thankfully, with that contingency planning, I was able to move my exam without additional fee when workload suddenly increased. I had my REG scheduled on August, but I moved it to October.

I took BEC on the same testing window as REG, but I assessed myself that I could do it. I had a strong foundation in BEC so I was that confident. I'm still waiting for my score though, hopefully I pass.

FAR - 92 02/2013
AUD - 90 05/2013
REG - 85 10/2013
BEC - 80 12/2013

I'M DONE. THANK YOU LORD!

[henryv]

You still have until August before your AUD expires. You still have a lot of time!

I'm assuming you took the two test in one testing window. I'd advise you not to do that when working with that work schedule. Plan ahead. I always schedule my exam 2 months prior to taking it. Thankfully, with that contingency planning, I was able to move my exam without additional fee when workload suddenly increased. I had my REG scheduled on August, but I moved it to October.

I took BEC on the same testing window as REG, but I assessed myself that I could do it. I had a strong foundation in BEC so I was that confident. I'm still waiting for my score though, hopefully I pass.

FAR - 92 02/2013
AUD - 90 05/2013
REG - 85 10/2013
BEC - 80 12/2013

I'M DONE. THANK YOU LORD!

[notebook8]

Yes, I started at the end of August. The reason my hours are so horrible is that there is a new audit every month. The partner said “it's like busy season every month”. I am on this client until the end of March and I am pretty sure its going to be just as busy until then. The good news is that from March to June I will be on a different client where I was told I should be getting off from 7-8, but nothing is guaranteed.

I have all of the NINJA materials, and I listen to the audio on my 1 hour and 15 minutes commute to and from work everyday ( or I alternate with the NINJA notes).

I also tried asking for some time off but they just told me that this is a job and work has to get done but they will see what they can do. They said I will most likely get a few days off before my exam to study.

I will take all your guys' advice and I thank you for it. Do you also think I should forget the lectures (been through them once a while go) and JUST do MCQ and NINJA notes/audio?..For AUD and BEC I read the book twice, but I don't think I have time for that now.

still feeling hopeless =(

[notebook8]

Yes, I started at the end of August. The reason my hours are so horrible is that there is a new audit every month. The partner said “it's like busy season every month”. I am on this client until the end of March and I am pretty sure its going to be just as busy until then. The good news is that from March to June I will be on a different client where I was told I should be getting off from 7-8, but nothing is guaranteed.

I have all of the NINJA materials, and I listen to the audio on my 1 hour and 15 minutes commute to and from work everyday ( or I alternate with the NINJA notes).

I also tried asking for some time off but they just told me that this is a job and work has to get done but they will see what they can do. They said I will most likely get a few days off before my exam to study.

I will take all your guys' advice and I thank you for it. Do you also think I should forget the lectures (been through them once a while go) and JUST do MCQ and NINJA notes/audio?..For AUD and BEC I read the book twice, but I don't think I have time for that now.

still feeling hopeless =(

[impska]

Not really sure what the situation is like at KPMG, but I would suggest you speak to your mentor or HR department, explain your difficulties finding time for study and ask if there are any possibilities for (unpaid) study leave.

Hopefully they will be receptive. You have until August, that's a good amount of time for them to help you make a plan. Save up your PTO too.

But definitely seek that out now, so that your firm can work with you.

If that works, then you just have to buckle down and STUDY during that time. Study like it's your full time job 9:00-10:30. With hours like those, it will be tempting to take some real time off and relax, but you gotta get this done and they won't have endless patience and flexibility for you.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[impska]

Not really sure what the situation is like at KPMG, but I would suggest you speak to your mentor or HR department, explain your difficulties finding time for study and ask if there are any possibilities for (unpaid) study leave.

Hopefully they will be receptive. You have until August, that's a good amount of time for them to help you make a plan. Save up your PTO too.

But definitely seek that out now, so that your firm can work with you.

If that works, then you just have to buckle down and STUDY during that time. Study like it's your full time job 9:00-10:30. With hours like those, it will be tempting to take some real time off and relax, but you gotta get this done and they won't have endless patience and flexibility for you.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[runnerup]

No words of wisdom. Just wanted to sympathize with you. I can't imagine working 9-10:30 and trying to find time for studying! Hopefully you get less hours come March. Wishing you luck!

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[runnerup]

No words of wisdom. Just wanted to sympathize with you. I can't imagine working 9-10:30 and trying to find time for studying! Hopefully you get less hours come March. Wishing you luck!

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[Anonymous]

What the hell you work over 12 hours every day? My suggestion is just quit it's not worth it.

[Author]

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