[matt]

Hi All,

In early-2014 I’ll begin studying for the CPA exam and I need help purchasing materials. I’m currently 28 years old and have an MBA.

Here is some pertinent information concerning the factors used in making the decision.

Cost – I’ll be paying for the materials out of my own pocket. With that said, I’d like to minimize the cost (who doesn’t?), but if paying $3,300 gives me the best chance for success I’ll gladly spend the money. I was originally just going to bite the bullet and buy the Becker course for $3,300 because of the reputation, but am questioning that plan now.

Educational/Professional Background – I’m taking the exam in MA and have never worked in public accounting. In fact, I just began working in accounting within the past few years. My undergrad was in finance/economics and my MBA was in operations. I fell into accounting by mistake and began to love it! I currently work as a Sr. Revenue Accountant for a large software company in a suburb of Boston. I’m taking the final required accounting credits as we speak and will be finished in December of this year.

Work – I work around 45-50 hours a week at the previously mentioned software company and closer to 60 during quarter-ends. With that said, being able to bang out a quick 30 minutes here and there during lunch or before work is key.

Personal – My wife is newly pregnant and is due in July 2014. Not sure what relevance that has to making a decision on prep materials but it’s just another constraint on my time.

With all this said, I can’t be the first busy professional with a family who has studied for the CPA exam. What programs have people used in the past that have proven successful? I see that some people go the Becker route, some go with CPAexcel, and some buy bits and pieces from different programs.

Thank you to everyone and anyone who responds to this post. Your guidance and assistance is deeply appreciated!

FAR: 89
BEC: 88
REG: 81
AUD: 76

CPAexcel, NINJA 10 point combo, & NINJA MCQ

"Pain is temporary, it may last for a minute, or an hour, or a day, or even a year...but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit however, it will last forever."

[lleon]

Hey,

my situation: currently doing masters, 2 lil boys, married and working went with cpaexcel. Love their short lessons, allows me to find good stopping points often, which comes in handy if you're interrupted a lot, or if you're the type to work 45 mins, browse internet for 5 (I am).

helps that I'm still in school and did undergrad in accounting, but I love the software, questions compare well to the exam (might even find them a bit harder than what I've experienced so far) and most importantly, I'm two for two and felt good about AUD. The exam planner sets you up with a study plan depending on how long til exam time, or you can create a customized plan. I've only used the planner.

highly recommend the gold video course (bout 1500 bucks I think), but I believe they have a free 14 day trial so definitely give it a try. Hope that helps; typing away on a phone screen, sorry for any run on sentences lol good luck!

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

Hey,

my situation: currently doing masters, 2 lil boys, married and working went with cpaexcel. Love their short lessons, allows me to find good stopping points often, which comes in handy if you're interrupted a lot, or if you're the type to work 45 mins, browse internet for 5 (I am).

helps that I'm still in school and did undergrad in accounting, but I love the software, questions compare well to the exam (might even find them a bit harder than what I've experienced so far) and most importantly, I'm two for two and felt good about AUD. The exam planner sets you up with a study plan depending on how long til exam time, or you can create a customized plan. I've only used the planner.

highly recommend the gold video course (bout 1500 bucks I think), but I believe they have a free 14 day trial so definitely give it a try. Hope that helps; typing away on a phone screen, sorry for any run on sentences lol good luck!

Licensed in Arizona

[barelystayingsane]

Since you want something to fill 30 minutes here and there, I would recommend getting the Ninja Notes as a supplement. For your main review course, I would say Becker over CPAExcel. I had a friend who used CPAExcel, and the books are much wordier and go over a lot more extraneous (in my opinion) information. I was able to pass with Becker without learning the extra information in CPAExcel, so personally I don't think it's worth it…just a waste of valuable time. Wiley Test Bank is worth getting if you want to work lots of problems. That's also a good way to spend 30 minutes. I can't attest to the actual Wiley course, Gleim, or any of the other review courses.

Congrats on the baby, and good luck with the exams!

Edit: I should clarify that I'm not trying to knock CPAExcel. My friend who is using CPAExcel is two for two on the first try for the exams she's taken so far, and she's scored in the 90s on both, so it's clearly a good program. I just think it covers information that doesn't necessarily need to be covered.

[barelystayingsane]

Since you want something to fill 30 minutes here and there, I would recommend getting the Ninja Notes as a supplement. For your main review course, I would say Becker over CPAExcel. I had a friend who used CPAExcel, and the books are much wordier and go over a lot more extraneous (in my opinion) information. I was able to pass with Becker without learning the extra information in CPAExcel, so personally I don't think it's worth it…just a waste of valuable time. Wiley Test Bank is worth getting if you want to work lots of problems. That's also a good way to spend 30 minutes. I can't attest to the actual Wiley course, Gleim, or any of the other review courses.

Congrats on the baby, and good luck with the exams!

Edit: I should clarify that I'm not trying to knock CPAExcel. My friend who is using CPAExcel is two for two on the first try for the exams she's taken so far, and she's scored in the 90s on both, so it's clearly a good program. I just think it covers information that doesn't necessarily need to be covered.

[lleon]

Good point by barelystayingsane, cpa excel does pack in a lot of info, though time spent studying is a function of your personal style as well. Another thing, the video lecture professors are kinda hit or miss, in that some are great and others are read off the slide and put you to sleep type.

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

Good point by barelystayingsane, cpa excel does pack in a lot of info, though time spent studying is a function of your personal style as well. Another thing, the video lecture professors are kinda hit or miss, in that some are great and others are read off the slide and put you to sleep type.

Licensed in Arizona

[MarathonRunner1]

Matt,

Becker has served my needs very well. I recommend the self-study version due to your dynamic lifestyle. All of the best.

MarathonRunner

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[MarathonRunner1]

Matt,

Becker has served my needs very well. I recommend the self-study version due to your dynamic lifestyle. All of the best.

MarathonRunner

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[kevinco]

I second MarathonRunner1, Becker has served me well as well, I work fulltime and have my son half the time and studied for all 4 sections in 6 months. But again it depends on how much effort you put into and what you'r comfort level is. The real answer is it depends. I dont do well studying from a book, so I went for the lectures and the MCQ. Most posts I have seen here like Roger.

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[kevinco]

I second MarathonRunner1, Becker has served me well as well, I work fulltime and have my son half the time and studied for all 4 sections in 6 months. But again it depends on how much effort you put into and what you'r comfort level is. The real answer is it depends. I dont do well studying from a book, so I went for the lectures and the MCQ. Most posts I have seen here like Roger.

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[Anonymous]

i used cpaexcel for FAR and felt overwhelmed with all the material, it was about 1100 pages of text for FAR alone. how many pages approximately is becker's FAR text?

[Anonymous]

i used cpaexcel for FAR and felt overwhelmed with all the material, it was about 1100 pages of text for FAR alone. how many pages approximately is becker's FAR text?

[kevinco]

I can't remember how big but I dont think it was close to 1100 pages. Quite frankly I did not use the text book at all just the lectures and MCQs

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[kevinco]

I can't remember how big but I dont think it was close to 1100 pages. Quite frankly I did not use the text book at all just the lectures and MCQs

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[Tncincy]

The cheapest you can get is Wiley books and test bank and supplement with Ninja audio and notes. Each program have an evaluation period to test drive. There are some good programs to use without spending $3,000 or more. But, how you learn is more important than money. So research, then decide. If you study you will pass not matter what route you take.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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