[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."

[Tncincy]

@matt85,

Wiley purchased or merged with cpaexcel, since the merger or deal or what ever, I have received updated kindle books and they are much better material wise. The old books were not getting it for me, but the new books on a few topics ( like installment sales) are much better. I have the video gold as well and I did not like it….the material was a little overwhelming for Far. I may use it for the others but the material is much much better. I am using yeager for Far since it was a little more thorough going over the mcq's.

The main thing is not to get caught up spending money on so many different programs where you don't get any studying done with none of the programs.

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

[Tncincy]

@matt85,

Wiley purchased or merged with cpaexcel, since the merger or deal or what ever, I have received updated kindle books and they are much better material wise. The old books were not getting it for me, but the new books on a few topics ( like installment sales) are much better. I have the video gold as well and I did not like it….the material was a little overwhelming for Far. I may use it for the others but the material is much much better. I am using yeager for Far since it was a little more thorough going over the mcq's.

The main thing is not to get caught up spending money on so many different programs where you don't get any studying done with none of the programs.

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

[Anonymous]

If I had to do it over again, I would approach this a bit differently.

I would definitely use Wiley test bank because Yaeger, Roger, and CPA excel all use this test bank and it is top notch. Using it would seem to give you flexibility to buy the lectures and other materials from these providers if you need because they all use the same test bank..

It makes sense to put more resources toward the FAR exam…that one is super tough. If you go with Becker or get the Roger or Yaeger lectures for only one section, that would be the one. You need to make sure you practice the simulations quite a lot. Wiley's simulations aren't very good for the FAR exam but they are very good for AUD. Gleim has a simulation wizard that may be good. I am not sure how Becker's sims are for FAR. There is just so much material on FAR that you may benefit from some good lectures.

If I was taking AUD again, I would just go the cheap route and save my money and time and just do the Wiley book and Wiley test bank. I haven't taken BEC yet but I would assume it would be similar and that one doesn't have sims so if you just drill on the MCQs on the Wiley test bank until you are proficient, you should pass.

I am not sure about REG but that one is probably more similar to FAR and it is probably important to try to get a program that has good simulation preparation software or go check out the Gleim simulation software.

Anyone have comments on who does the best simulation question softare for REG? How is Wiley for this section?

[Anonymous]

If I had to do it over again, I would approach this a bit differently.

I would definitely use Wiley test bank because Yaeger, Roger, and CPA excel all use this test bank and it is top notch. Using it would seem to give you flexibility to buy the lectures and other materials from these providers if you need because they all use the same test bank..

It makes sense to put more resources toward the FAR exam…that one is super tough. If you go with Becker or get the Roger or Yaeger lectures for only one section, that would be the one. You need to make sure you practice the simulations quite a lot. Wiley's simulations aren't very good for the FAR exam but they are very good for AUD. Gleim has a simulation wizard that may be good. I am not sure how Becker's sims are for FAR. There is just so much material on FAR that you may benefit from some good lectures.

If I was taking AUD again, I would just go the cheap route and save my money and time and just do the Wiley book and Wiley test bank. I haven't taken BEC yet but I would assume it would be similar and that one doesn't have sims so if you just drill on the MCQs on the Wiley test bank until you are proficient, you should pass.

I am not sure about REG but that one is probably more similar to FAR and it is probably important to try to get a program that has good simulation preparation software or go check out the Gleim simulation software.

Anyone have comments on who does the best simulation question softare for REG? How is Wiley for this section?

[tough_kitty]

I was going to suggest Roger CPA Review but anything with Wiley Test Bank should be pretty good. Glad to see you didn't waste your money on Becker! More $ doesn't always equal better quality….

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

[tough_kitty]

I was going to suggest Roger CPA Review but anything with Wiley Test Bank should be pretty good. Glad to see you didn't waste your money on Becker! More $ doesn't always equal better quality….

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

[tough_kitty]

There are no “best” simulations software for REG. You simply have to understand the material very well.

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

[tough_kitty]

There are no “best” simulations software for REG. You simply have to understand the material very well.

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

[Jennifer241]

Quickest and fastest way, watch lectures, take notes, write up ninja notes to those sections. Then when you are done with all the sections lectures start hitting MCQ's in WTB, then write up each questions you got wrong in your notes for that section.

Read your notes periodically throughout this process so that you don't forget what you learned, it keeps it fresh.

I have a similar situation to you, and the lectures for both Roger and CPA Excel work great, I have also heard Yaeger is good too. CPA Excel can make you feel overwhelmed with all of the information that they have, but you DON'T have to use it all.

Buy the NINJA notes and the Wiley Test bank and a good lecture program.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

Quickest and fastest way, watch lectures, take notes, write up ninja notes to those sections. Then when you are done with all the sections lectures start hitting MCQ's in WTB, then write up each questions you got wrong in your notes for that section.

Read your notes periodically throughout this process so that you don't forget what you learned, it keeps it fresh.

I have a similar situation to you, and the lectures for both Roger and CPA Excel work great, I have also heard Yaeger is good too. CPA Excel can make you feel overwhelmed with all of the information that they have, but you DON'T have to use it all.

Buy the NINJA notes and the Wiley Test bank and a good lecture program.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[matt]

@Jennifer Have you used the NINJA notes? I want to take advantage of the BOGO but I'm not sure if it's too much information. If I get the CPAexcel, Wiley Test Bank, and the NINJA notes & audio will there be too much over lapping of information?

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."

[matt]

@Jennifer Have you used the NINJA notes? I want to take advantage of the BOGO but I'm not sure if it's too much information. If I get the CPAexcel, Wiley Test Bank, and the NINJA notes & audio will there be too much over lapping of information?

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."

[Anonymous]

NINJA is basically a birds-eye overview of what you're learning in the text, so CPAExcel will give you the nitty-gritty and NINJA will basically re-cap it. So, the notes and audio *are* a repeat of the material from CPAExcel, but many people find that the nugget-size/birds-eye approach is helpful for retaining the basics while learning the details. Wiley Test Bank serves a different purpose altogether as its sole goal is to provide you with practice questions!

[Anonymous]

NINJA is basically a birds-eye overview of what you're learning in the text, so CPAExcel will give you the nitty-gritty and NINJA will basically re-cap it. So, the notes and audio *are* a repeat of the material from CPAExcel, but many people find that the nugget-size/birds-eye approach is helpful for retaining the basics while learning the details. Wiley Test Bank serves a different purpose altogether as its sole goal is to provide you with practice questions!

[Kscope]

Hello all! I am finishing up my MSA and plan to start sitting for the exam in January. I have been working full time through both my undegrad and grad programs. Currently I do not have accounting experience. I had opportunity to not pay for Becker's so luckily for me that was cheapest route. I am curious how people decided what order to take take sections and how many hours were allocated to each section studying. If anyone did Ninja notes and/or Wiley in addition to Becker's, how did that work? Did you follow Becker's guideline, supplement with Wiley and use Ninja for final review. Feeling a tad overwhelmed with coming up successful study plan.

AUDIT: 88 2/12/14 (Lost Credit), 92 11/30/15
FAR: 71 4/14,70 5/15, 70 8/15, 80 10/15 (FINALLY)
REG:80 11/14
BEC: 80 5/15

[Author]

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