[Anonymous]

I am using Becker and CPA Excel but am having a hard time understanding the info by just reading it, does anyone know if the CPA Excel video lectures are any good, I don’t want to buy them if they are crappy. (I already have the CPA Excel software so they will charge me $160 for just the video lectures) Just want to know if this is worth the money, this test is getting so expensive.

[TSword7]

I do not have the lectures but just wanted to say that I think the CPA Excel software is great! Passed my first 2 (BEC & FAR) and took AUD today. CPA excel is the only one I'm really using. Had some material from another company but they went under and the replacement company wasn't good. Sorry I don't have info on the videos though.

BEC - 83 (7/09),FAR - 80 (11/09), AUD - 84 (1/10), REG -82 (3/10)

[Anonymous]

not really worth it; read slower

that is my take on it

some of them are worth it but some are not; all in all worth about 50 bucks

not 160 too much

read and work problems and ask questions

[Matt]

I did something similar to you and ended up buying Yaeger cram for $100. It wasn't the best thing in the world for every chapter but I got an 80 on the exam and I only spent $100 on the prep.

Three down one to go!

Matt - Los Angeles
BEC: 87(11/08), REG: 80(2/09), FAR: 80(11/09), AUD: 73(2/10) 82(5/11)

[Anonymous]

yeah I really like cpaexcel and feel good about taking FAR again; I completed 83/205 assignments and have clocked 100 to 110 hrs since I started studying Jan 1st; not taking any days off just one or two light days at like 2.5 hrs….

I almosted passed last time so I really need to pass even if it means and overkill

I did the bare bones min last time by just working problems and now I am becoming much better at undertanding material and not just good a working problems……applying the knowledge is what got me; plus a bad toothache two nights before

[Paul99a]

The software for CPA excel is actually pretty good, in terms of content and helping you schedule out an assignment schedule. The lectures are not very good, mainly just reading the slides. And some of the examples are shamefully outdated, indicating the material isn't updated very often. A lot of grammar and spelling errors in the materials. Overall grade B- / C+.

Examples of dated examples

(1) References to buying General Motors stock, not publicly traded since mid-2009

(2) Referencing exchange translation of French Francs (the French Franc hasn't existed since 1999!)

FAR-84/AUD-80/BEC-81/REG-Nov'11

[CajunCPA]

I am using CPAexcel and have the videos but I don't usually watch them. So I would say not to waste any money on the videos.

REG - 78 Expired 11/24/11 - Oct/Nov 2013
FAR - Retake for the 5th time - Jan/Feb 2013
BEC - Retake for the 4th time - April/May 2013
AUD - Retake for the 3rd time - July/Aug 2013

[1daycpa]

I know what opinions are like, and of course I have one on the subject of CPAExcel. I used CPAExcel beginning in July 2009 to study for all 4 parts of the exam. I finished my undergraduate degree in 1992, so I had been out of school for a few years. I read the study unit, watched the videos, and did all of the practice problems. I followed their program as instructed. I studied for 1 section at a time and I passed each section on the first attempt! Yes there were a few minor mistakes in the text and I too noticed some examples that were a little out of date. But what does it really matter that an example shows you how to translate from a currency that is no longer in use. It shows you how to do the problem. The type of currency is absolutely irrelevant as is the name of the company for a stock purchase! I don't disagree that it should be updated, but it will not prevent you from learning the material.

I just took the CMA Exam and I used Gleim for my review material, I assure you there were many more mistakes in the Gleim material than there were in the CPAExcel material.

As for the videos… I watched them and I thought they helped. A co-worker who also used CPAExcel, at the same time I used the program, got tired of the videos and just read the text and worked problems. He struggled through FAR and REG and had to retake both. The next time around he watched the videos and he passed.

I know that everyone learns differently, but from my experience if a study course gives you plan that has a good track record, it's best not to deviate too much from that plan.

Good luck to all of you who are studying for the Exam! You can do this!!! I passed FAR in April just before my 40th birthday. I have a wife and 2 kids at home. I also have a very demanding job! It was 10 months of very hard work, but it was well worth it!! I no longer have to answer that question with a, “No, I'm not a CPA.” When I am asked now, I say, “Hell yeah I'm CPA!”

For the record, I am not a compensated spokesperson for CPAExcel. They just have a damn good product and I think anyone could benefit from it.

BEC – 84, REG – 78, AUD – 91, FAR – 94

Link: Current CPAexcel Discount Codes

[Author]

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