[MsCPA544]

Hi Everyone, I am new here on this blog. I just signed up for my first exam in Feb 2013 and its FAR! I just started studying last week and I work full time. Its difficult to study at work because my boss is like a hawk. By the time I get home, I am exhausted. I am curious how some of you who work full time allocate your time? I am finding it difficult to concentrate when I study sporatically versus a good few hours a day, which for the past week I wasn’t able to do on the weekdays at all.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!

FAR-7/27/13
AUD-5/25/13
REG-NOT SCHEDULED
BEC-NOT SCHEDULED

[littlenumberrobot]

@MsCPA544

Hi and welcome. I studied for FAR while working FT in public accounting… it is very possible. I woke up early go to the office early and studied for an hour. And an hour at lunch. Did this M-F, and twice a week two hours at night(usually M & W). Then 4 hours on the weekend. It was enough for me. It was tough, but doable. I didnt feel completely overwelmed. I am a morning person so that helps too.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Lots and lots of caffeine! Try to find ways to take advantage of every moment. Can you listen to your Ipod at work? If so you can listen to your lectures, buy audio, or record your own notes using the voice recorder. I usually listen to lectures while I get ready in the morning and I listen to my notes at work. You can also buy or make flashcards and get practice tests on your ipod which are great for in the car (when you are NOT driving) or on the go. If you have a long commute you can make or buy audio for that as well. You can also study through lunch. I occasionally drive my car to the top of the parking deck so that I can get some quiet time to study during lunch. I study for a couple of hours on top of that in the evening plus several hours during the weekend. It is hard to get into it at first but you get used to the crazy hours.

[Anonymous]

I work full time and have three children. I admit I do have a hard time focusing. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person. So, I'm either spending 20-30 hours a week on it, or very little. I study for an hour each day at lunch and about two to three hours each evening. My weekends are packed with studying. I would estimate I spent16 hours last Saturday and Sunday working problems. (My husband is a saint.)

I gave myself 5 weeks for FAR and passed it, but I went in feeling very worried. It made me decide I needed a week for each Becker chapter and that is what I've done for BEC. Even with the extra time, I'm still having trouble finishing it. I did blow off quite a bit of time in the beginning, though. Darn the procrastinating!

Now, I wish I'd have given myself maybe a week and a half or two weeks per chapter. I do think I can still pass it, but I wish I had a bit more prep time.

[MsCPA544]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I am still trying to figure out my groove and see how to balance it all. Its hard but I have to admit some of you have it harder. Good Luck to everyone who has the courage to take this test!

FAR-7/27/13
AUD-5/25/13
REG-NOT SCHEDULED
BEC-NOT SCHEDULED

[supervisor]

Hey MsCPA544…

It is very much doable!! I work full time in public accounting as well with a now 13 month old. I was studying while i was pregnant up through when my son turned one (waiting on my last score). Like you, i felt very tired by the time i got home from work especially during the busy quarters where i have clients filing with the SEC. My routine was wake up at 4am, study til 6, take a 1/2 hour nap or an hour, get baby ready and off to work. When I get home from work, I eat dinner, relax and in bed by 9:30 ready for the next morning. This did it for me. I tried studying after work but was too exhausted and on top of that, trying to rock a baby to sleep at 9 and then opening the books at 10, didnt go well. Hope you find what works for you but definitely try all avenues to see which is suitable! Good Luck!

BEC 10/13 PASSED 77
AUD 04/12 PASSED 83
FAR 08/12 PASSED 76
REG 02/13 PASSED 76

Licensed in PA on 12/23/13. Yea boy!!

[Author]

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