[Anonymous]

I’m into my first month as a public accountant and I’m realizing just how difficult it’s going to be to pass the CPA while working.

I’ve still got 3 sections to pass before the end of August which seems like a huge amount of time but after really sitting down and trying to plan when I’m going to take them, I realize there’s only a few options.

For example, I’m currently scheduled to take REG this Friday and was debating rescheduling it since I don’t feel as prepared as I think I need to be. Let’s say I don’t take it in December; from what I’ve heard busy season starts to show it’s face mid-January and is in full swing by the end of the month, so the latest I can reschedule it for is mid-January. That leaves FAR and BEC.

I can be optimistic and think that I’m going to study during busy season but it seems the general consensus is that it’s extremely difficult to do. So let’s say I wait till April 15 to crack open my FAR book. Being in ITAX, the Canadian busy season starts in mid-May and goes through the end of June. Then around August 1 things start getting busy again with the corporate extensions until Oct. 15. So really, the only times I *might* be able to take another exam are in the middle of May and the end of July. That’s a total of 3 slots to take 3 exams which leaves me with no room for error. That being said, regardless of how I feel going into REG, I can’t really afford *not* to take it this week.

All that being said, how are the rest of you public accountants planning your exams going into busy season? Any chance there’s more time available than how I’ve figured? Or is it possible to use busy season to study for a section?

[Anonymous]

Firstly, I don't know what “busy season” means for your firm in terms of hours. You may have to have a chat with your boss or coworkers and see what kind of overtime expectations they have. In my firm, I don't usually end up working much overtime until mid February. Depending on what your personal life demands I think its reasonable to study while working up to 50 hours per week.

Lets assume you take REG this week or at the beginning of January. You should be able to by ready for REG by Jan 1st since you already have some studying started. You might be able to slip in a sitting for BEC at the beginning to mid Feb. This is possible if you take full advantage of your weekends. If you can't get BEC in Feb, then I would schedule BEC for end of May, gives you April 15th – May 30th to study, about 6 weeks. Then I would schedule FAR for end of July. June – July to study, about 8 weeks. If you could shave a week or two off during one of these periods, then you would potentially have another sitting opportunity at the end/mid August for any retakes if needed.

I think this should get you through the busiest parts of the year. Realistically, you're right. You don't have that many sitting opportunities. You will need to make each of them count and be prepared for the possibility for retakes. So, for instance if you feel ready to take BEC before May 30th, then you might reschedule for mid May instead and you could move your FAR sitting to mid July.

My suggestions assume you will study at least 20-30 hours per week. Why do you feel like you have to finish these by August? When does your AUD credit expire?

[Anonymous]

Firstly, I don't know what “busy season” means for your firm in terms of hours. You may have to have a chat with your boss or coworkers and see what kind of overtime expectations they have. In my firm, I don't usually end up working much overtime until mid February. Depending on what your personal life demands I think its reasonable to study while working up to 50 hours per week.

Lets assume you take REG this week or at the beginning of January. You should be able to by ready for REG by Jan 1st since you already have some studying started. You might be able to slip in a sitting for BEC at the beginning to mid Feb. This is possible if you take full advantage of your weekends. If you can't get BEC in Feb, then I would schedule BEC for end of May, gives you April 15th – May 30th to study, about 6 weeks. Then I would schedule FAR for end of July. June – July to study, about 8 weeks. If you could shave a week or two off during one of these periods, then you would potentially have another sitting opportunity at the end/mid August for any retakes if needed.

I think this should get you through the busiest parts of the year. Realistically, you're right. You don't have that many sitting opportunities. You will need to make each of them count and be prepared for the possibility for retakes. So, for instance if you feel ready to take BEC before May 30th, then you might reschedule for mid May instead and you could move your FAR sitting to mid July.

My suggestions assume you will study at least 20-30 hours per week. Why do you feel like you have to finish these by August? When does your AUD credit expire?

[UCMCPA]

Before I started 🙂 Friday will be the day I find out if I passed all 4 before one day of public work.

FAR - 84
AUD - 94
REG - 86
BEC - 86

[UCMCPA]

Before I started 🙂 Friday will be the day I find out if I passed all 4 before one day of public work.

FAR - 84
AUD - 94
REG - 86
BEC - 86

[Travis]

Like someone else said, definitely know what is expected out of you from work. I'll be juggling a section during our busy season that will include working weekends. Anything can be done if you put your mind to it!

I'm finding that getting up earlier and going into the office earlier I can get more done both studying and at the office. At least that was the case while finishing my degree. I'll be using the same approach when studying in the coming weeks.

[Travis]

Like someone else said, definitely know what is expected out of you from work. I'll be juggling a section during our busy season that will include working weekends. Anything can be done if you put your mind to it!

I'm finding that getting up earlier and going into the office earlier I can get more done both studying and at the office. At least that was the case while finishing my degree. I'll be using the same approach when studying in the coming weeks.

[Anonymous]

Firstly, I don't know what “busy season” means for your firm in terms of hours. You may have to have a chat with your boss or coworkers and see what kind of overtime expectations they have. In my firm, I don't usually end up working much overtime until mid February. Depending on what your personal life demands I think its reasonable to study while working up to 50 hours per week.

Although I'm finding that each tax group is different (for example, ITAX is dead right now while MWD folks have work for all day) we were told at our general orientation (for all groups) that for most of the busy season we can expect for the 6/65 rule to apply, meaning 6 days a week, 65 hours a week. The only flexibility I've heard with regards to that is people will sometimes work late Friday night just so they can have a shorter day on Saturday.

Lets assume you take REG this week or at the beginning of January. You should be able to by ready for REG by Jan 1st since you already have some studying started. You might be able to slip in a sitting for BEC at the beginning to mid Feb. This is possible if you take full advantage of your weekends. If you can't get BEC in Feb, then I would schedule BEC for end of May, gives you April 15th – May 30th to study, about 6 weeks. Then I would schedule FAR for end of July. June – July to study, about 8 weeks. If you could shave a week or two off during one of these periods, then you would potentially have another sitting opportunity at the end/mid August for any retakes if needed.

Good plan. I was originally thinking of taking FAR next since I've been through the material already twice before but it does make more sense to allocate the larger time slot in the summer to that, just in case.

I think this should get you through the busiest parts of the year. Realistically, you're right. You don't have that many sitting opportunities. You will need to make each of them count and be prepared for the possibility for retakes. So, for instance if you feel ready to take BEC before May 30th, then you might reschedule for mid May instead and you could move your FAR sitting to mid July.

My suggestions assume you will study at least 20-30 hours per week. Why do you feel like you have to finish these by August? When does your AUD credit expire?

All good points. My AUD credit expires on 8/28 which is why my timetable is so short.

[Anonymous]

Firstly, I don't know what “busy season” means for your firm in terms of hours. You may have to have a chat with your boss or coworkers and see what kind of overtime expectations they have. In my firm, I don't usually end up working much overtime until mid February. Depending on what your personal life demands I think its reasonable to study while working up to 50 hours per week.

Although I'm finding that each tax group is different (for example, ITAX is dead right now while MWD folks have work for all day) we were told at our general orientation (for all groups) that for most of the busy season we can expect for the 6/65 rule to apply, meaning 6 days a week, 65 hours a week. The only flexibility I've heard with regards to that is people will sometimes work late Friday night just so they can have a shorter day on Saturday.

Lets assume you take REG this week or at the beginning of January. You should be able to by ready for REG by Jan 1st since you already have some studying started. You might be able to slip in a sitting for BEC at the beginning to mid Feb. This is possible if you take full advantage of your weekends. If you can't get BEC in Feb, then I would schedule BEC for end of May, gives you April 15th – May 30th to study, about 6 weeks. Then I would schedule FAR for end of July. June – July to study, about 8 weeks. If you could shave a week or two off during one of these periods, then you would potentially have another sitting opportunity at the end/mid August for any retakes if needed.

Good plan. I was originally thinking of taking FAR next since I've been through the material already twice before but it does make more sense to allocate the larger time slot in the summer to that, just in case.

I think this should get you through the busiest parts of the year. Realistically, you're right. You don't have that many sitting opportunities. You will need to make each of them count and be prepared for the possibility for retakes. So, for instance if you feel ready to take BEC before May 30th, then you might reschedule for mid May instead and you could move your FAR sitting to mid July.

My suggestions assume you will study at least 20-30 hours per week. Why do you feel like you have to finish these by August? When does your AUD credit expire?

All good points. My AUD credit expires on 8/28 which is why my timetable is so short.

[tough_kitty]

My friends from Big 4 took a week off before each exam to study….I bet it's hard….but I am sure you can do it! Good luck!

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

[tough_kitty]

My friends from Big 4 took a week off before each exam to study….I bet it's hard….but I am sure you can do it! Good luck!

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

[whitelilies04]

I work at a big 4 firm. I take exams in January, May, July, and November. The other months I'm slammed with work and there is no studying. Like the pp said, busy seasons are different for everyone. My busy season does not allow for any study time. It hardly allows for sleep so studying (especially now that I'm a senior) is impossible. My firm also frowns upon taking time off for exams, or time off period, during busy season which complicates things as well. Best of luck to you!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[whitelilies04]

I work at a big 4 firm. I take exams in January, May, July, and November. The other months I'm slammed with work and there is no studying. Like the pp said, busy seasons are different for everyone. My busy season does not allow for any study time. It hardly allows for sleep so studying (especially now that I'm a senior) is impossible. My firm also frowns upon taking time off for exams, or time off period, during busy season which complicates things as well. Best of luck to you!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

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