[klink24]

Hi everyone, new to the forum! Wrapping up the credits I need to sit this coming fall (started last fall). Got my MBA so the 150 credit requirement for NC is not an issue. I just ordered CPAExcel Self-Study, Wiley Value Pack (2-Volume Books and Test Bank), and Ninja Audio with Free Ninja Notes and Flashcards. Seems to be a winning combination based on what I’ve seen on this forum. My schedule to take the exams is as follows:

FAR Study 8/6/2013

Apply for FAR 9/2/2013

FAR Exam 10/5/2013

FAR Results 11/4/2013

REG Study 10/7/2013

Apply for REG 10/7/2013

REG Exam 11/30/2013

REG Results 12/9/2013

BEC Study 12/2/2013

Apply for BEC 12/2/2013

BEC Exam 1/11/2014

BEC Results 2/3/2014 (Est.)

AUD Study 1/13/2014

Apply for AUD 1/13/2014

AUD Exam 2/22/2014

AUD Results 3/10/2014 (Est.)

Do my study materials and timeline make sense to those that have done this or are in the process now? I’m looking so forward to knocking this out! I do pretty well on tests and have really good study habits so I don’t foresee any issues. Any advice from you guys is more than welcome!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Mayo]

Congrats on starting the journey. Be prepared to be extremely bored 😛

And your schedule seems reasonable to me.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[snb]

That looks pretty reasonable. I'd say budget about a month for AUD/BEC and a month and half for FAR/REG.

Good luck – get mentally prepared for nonsense!

IL
FAR (2/20/13): 76
AUD (4/8/13): 78
BEC: (5/20/13): 86
REG: (7/10/13): 76
Ethics: Done
Operation "Hurry up and pass this thing before we have our first baby in October" COMPLETED

[klink24]

Thanks for the feedback Mayo and snb! I've been lurking in these forums for a while now and I've seen the horror stories. I'm especially motivated by the success stories! I'll have to visit this forum anytime I'm in a studying stupor to stay motivated.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

Are you working or just studying full time? If studying full time, you are allocating way too much time to this process.

Studying full time: FAR 3-4 weeks

AUD 1-2 weeks

BEC 1-2 weeks

REG 3 weeks

[Mayo]

It might be over allocated. However, more is better if he has the time and can stick to the schedule. To me, if you're gonna miss, at least overshoot. Yah you might have wasted a bit of time, but at least you're done.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[klink24]

@CPAtobe11, I am working full time, 1 class this fall (accounting spreadsheets, easy), married, 2 kids (8 and 4), soccer, gymnastics, etc. That's why I'm carving so much time out. I figure I need to get familiar with the study material, types of questions, etc. so the more time the better. The AUD type class I wanted wasn't offered this fall so I know I need time to get familiar with that topic. Good thing is I just finished Tax and Intermediate II so I'm hoping studying will be a bit of review and solidifying my knowledge base.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

@Mayo, agree completely. I did the same for the GMAT, but once I got the score I needed first try, didn't matter. Sunk costs!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

Looks pretty good! 🙂

Only part I might question is the timing for apply for the exams relative to when you're taking them. Depending on your state, you might want to start the application process quicker. My state, KY, was particularly slow – it was 2 months from when I sent my first application till I got my Notice to Schedule (and the check that I sent didn't clear the bank till after that). I'm hoping that was just a fluke, but you might want to check into the speed in your state! After, for additional exams, they've been real quick (week-ish I think?), but that one was slow. Also, there is potential that available seats for the start of October will fill up, since CPA people will be crowding into that time (since they couldn't test in Sept), so being able to schedule sooner might be nice. However, if your state has really short NTSs, then you don't want to do it too soon either! My state's NTSs are 6 months, so about Feb I sent in my app for the tests I wanted to take in May and July, which gave me plenty of time to take the tests and also plenty of time to schedule. But, if your state's NTSs were only good for, say, a month, then you wouldn't want to send it in this early, or you'd lose your chance to test!

But aside from that technicality, looks good. Of course these are a beast, but it sounds like you've got a solid plan to wrestle this beast to the ground! 🙂

[klink24]

Thanks Elisabeth! I've only heard tales of the beast, but I believe those tales will do me well when my encounter comes. 🙂 In my state (NC), they say on the official website that it is a 15 day TAT for initial exam applications, 10 days for re-exam. If no NTS 5 days after that TAT, they give a direct person and number to call, whom I've spoken with before. Got to say, NC seems very helpful. Either way, I can only apply when I'm within 120 days of finishing my credits. 9/2 is 120 days from 12/31, so I could probably apply a week or so before then.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

Oooo yeah your timing is decided for you! But if they have a 15 day TAT, you should be fine anyway. I must say I'm impressed with how thorough your planning has been!

[klink24]

@Elisabeth, I appreciate the compliment. This site has been a great resource. I see everyone's difficulties so I figure I'll make it as easy on myself as possible. Planning is over now though, time for action! A plan not executed was never a plan to begin with.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to studying for the CPA exam! I agree with Elisabeth, you may want to apply sooner to allow more time for scheduling with Prometric. It helps me to have an exam scheduled so that I have a deadline for studying.

To share a few general notes that I've learned: I would not schedule an exam at the end of a window. Give yourself a week or two so you can reschedule in case of an emergency or if you get sick. Also, you may be able to blow straight through to the next test, but most people I know need a one or two week break between exams or time off for holidays. You'll get the hang of it as you study and take your exams. Most of all, don't beat yourself up if you get off schedule. I spend a ridiculous amount of time studying, yet I still feel constant guilt for not doing more. Good luck!

[Author]

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