[Spock]

So, a little background: I graduated from undergrad as an econ major, got a high gpa and enrolled in a pretty good macc program. I secured a summer audit internship with a strong big4 firm in a major metro area hq and was fortunate enough to get a ft offer. I have one semester left as I graduate in may and I will have enough hours to sit for the exams. I just don’t know where to start. My firm is obviously picking up the tab and I can access the materials as soon as I want but I believe it expires 12 months from when you begin so I don’t want to have any wasted down time.

When is the typical time to begin to study? I was thinking during this last semester would make sense but I wanted to get some input in case I am overlooking some details that may hurt me down the line. Appreciate any advice and I can provide more details if needed. Thanks in advance all.

[Anonymous]

Hi Spock!

I am in a similar position. I will be graduating in May with my Master's as well and I have a Big4 offer too! Since you are with the Big4, I am going to assume that Becker is the program your firm will pay upfront. If so, then yes, you only have access to it for 12 months IF you decide to enroll in the live study course or the online course. If you choose the Self-Study, then you have an 18 month expiration date. It just depends on what format is best for you.

I am currently studying for the exam and will be taking my first section in a couple of months. To answer your question: “When is the typical time to begin to study?” In general, I say you should start studying now if you want to try to get this *wonderful* experience over with. However, I do not know your current situation. Are you working or will be working while you are in school? How many credit hours will you be taking? And what study plan format will you choose (live course, self study, etc.)?

[Anonymous]

Hi Spock!

I am in a similar position. I will be graduating in May with my Master's as well and I have a Big4 offer too! Since you are with the Big4, I am going to assume that Becker is the program your firm will pay upfront. If so, then yes, you only have access to it for 12 months IF you decide to enroll in the live study course or the online course. If you choose the Self-Study, then you have an 18 month expiration date. It just depends on what format is best for you.

I am currently studying for the exam and will be taking my first section in a couple of months. To answer your question: “When is the typical time to begin to study?” In general, I say you should start studying now if you want to try to get this *wonderful* experience over with. However, I do not know your current situation. Are you working or will be working while you are in school? How many credit hours will you be taking? And what study plan format will you choose (live course, self study, etc.)?

[Anonymous]

@Spock Does your state allow you to start sitting for the exams while you're in your last semester? From what I've gathered, some states allow you to sit for a couple exams while finishing the 150 credits, others don't – I'm in one that doesn't. 🙂 I had to send final transcripts with all 150 credits and let them look over them for a couple months before I was able to actually sit for exams! So, depending on when you'll be able to start taking the exams, I'd vary when to start studying.

If you won't be able to take the exams till June or after, I wouldn't start studying now. A good portion of this material is stuff that you've learned before – the only hard part is having it all fresh for exam day, and studying it now won't have it fresh for the exam. Given that you're straight out of school and have managed to keep a high GPA in a “pretty good” MAcc program, I would suggest starting to study for your first exam about 1 month or 6 weeks before you plan to take it. (So, if you figured it would take at least a month for your state to process transcripts post-graduation, then I'd start studying after graduation.)

However, if you are able to start taking your exams now, then I'd say you might as well start! Just as long as you can still keep up your grades at the same time. It seems like Big 4 jobs often start in the fall, so if you'll have a few months off between school and starting your job, that would be a good time to take the exams too.

[Anonymous]

@Spock Does your state allow you to start sitting for the exams while you're in your last semester? From what I've gathered, some states allow you to sit for a couple exams while finishing the 150 credits, others don't – I'm in one that doesn't. 🙂 I had to send final transcripts with all 150 credits and let them look over them for a couple months before I was able to actually sit for exams! So, depending on when you'll be able to start taking the exams, I'd vary when to start studying.

If you won't be able to take the exams till June or after, I wouldn't start studying now. A good portion of this material is stuff that you've learned before – the only hard part is having it all fresh for exam day, and studying it now won't have it fresh for the exam. Given that you're straight out of school and have managed to keep a high GPA in a “pretty good” MAcc program, I would suggest starting to study for your first exam about 1 month or 6 weeks before you plan to take it. (So, if you figured it would take at least a month for your state to process transcripts post-graduation, then I'd start studying after graduation.)

However, if you are able to start taking your exams now, then I'd say you might as well start! Just as long as you can still keep up your grades at the same time. It seems like Big 4 jobs often start in the fall, so if you'll have a few months off between school and starting your job, that would be a good time to take the exams too.

[Spock]

@ Broke4life, Becker is what the firm uses. I haven't checked it out yet but it sounds like a good program. I will be working pt and taking 12crds so ill be a little busy but not too crazy. Also, self-study is what I plan on choosing.What about you?

@ Lilla in my state you can sit before your 150hours, I guess I should probably start the whole process now.

[Spock]

@ Broke4life, Becker is what the firm uses. I haven't checked it out yet but it sounds like a good program. I will be working pt and taking 12crds so ill be a little busy but not too crazy. Also, self-study is what I plan on choosing.What about you?

@ Lilla in my state you can sit before your 150hours, I guess I should probably start the whole process now.

[san4596]

I would wait till after graduation. Then, you only have work and studying for the CPA exam to worry about. You could set yourself up for failure if school becomes more demanding study time wise, which means less time for cpa materials. Give yourself a week break to take a deep breath, and hit it hard on June 1st. IMO

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

I would wait till after graduation. Then, you only have work and studying for the CPA exam to worry about. You could set yourself up for failure if school becomes more demanding study time wise, which means less time for cpa materials. Give yourself a week break to take a deep breath, and hit it hard on June 1st. IMO

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[barelystayingsane]

In my state, I was able to start taking the exams 60 days before I graduated. I took FAR in mid-April, took a break for final papers and exams and then started studying for the second one after I graduated, which I then took on July 1. Studying while you're in your final semester is kind of a mixed bag. On the one hand, I'm so glad I finished the exams before I started working. Studying while in school was much easier than I think it would be now that I'm working. On the other hand, I kinda regret not taking advantage of that last semester of college more.

[barelystayingsane]

In my state, I was able to start taking the exams 60 days before I graduated. I took FAR in mid-April, took a break for final papers and exams and then started studying for the second one after I graduated, which I then took on July 1. Studying while you're in your final semester is kind of a mixed bag. On the one hand, I'm so glad I finished the exams before I started working. Studying while in school was much easier than I think it would be now that I'm working. On the other hand, I kinda regret not taking advantage of that last semester of college more.

[Anonymous]

@Spock, I am also taking 12 credit hours but I am not working and I am using the Self-study. Since you will be working part-time, I think you might be pushing it trying to study for the exam. Even if you are only working 10-15 hours a week, it still takes significant time away from you studying. The CPA exam is very time consuming. As a general guideline, you should study for about 25-30 hours a week.

If you did not have to work, then I would say you should start now. Although I do agree with san4596 that it can be very stressful trying to study for the exam while dealing with demanding classes. Many students do start studying after they graduate. However, it depends on how efficiently you manage your time and what your own personal deadlines are.

[Anonymous]

@Spock, I am also taking 12 credit hours but I am not working and I am using the Self-study. Since you will be working part-time, I think you might be pushing it trying to study for the exam. Even if you are only working 10-15 hours a week, it still takes significant time away from you studying. The CPA exam is very time consuming. As a general guideline, you should study for about 25-30 hours a week.

If you did not have to work, then I would say you should start now. Although I do agree with san4596 that it can be very stressful trying to study for the exam while dealing with demanding classes. Many students do start studying after they graduate. However, it depends on how efficiently you manage your time and what your own personal deadlines are.

[mla1169]

Whether you can study while in school and working at the same time is up to you. It absolutely can be done and isn't as big a deal as people make it out to be, IF its what you want to do. (If you're not committed to it, it can't be done).

Just as an FYI, I was taking 6 credits per semester, working 50+ hours a week, have 2 kids (were 10 and 16 at the time) with sports, scouts, etc. when I took the exams. I had my days that I was stressed but it wasn't unbearable by any means.

If you make up your mind to something it can be done. But theres no need to rush it either and its entirely possible to wait.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Whether you can study while in school and working at the same time is up to you. It absolutely can be done and isn't as big a deal as people make it out to be, IF its what you want to do. (If you're not committed to it, it can't be done).

Just as an FYI, I was taking 6 credits per semester, working 50+ hours a week, have 2 kids (were 10 and 16 at the time) with sports, scouts, etc. when I took the exams. I had my days that I was stressed but it wasn't unbearable by any means.

If you make up your mind to something it can be done. But theres no need to rush it either and its entirely possible to wait.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Spock]

Maybe it would make sense to wait until I graduate in May. I think the extra free time will definitely help, as I will only be working part time and wont have school to worry about. Also, if the Becker program is going to expire in 12 months I want to make sure I get the most out of it without rushing.

[Author]

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