[pretendadult]

Hey everyone, so my NTS came quite late since I didn’t graduate until the last week of May. I planned on taking all four parts of the exam this summer, but didn’t get my NTS until the 20th of July. By the end of this month, I’ll have taken BEC and AUD, leaving me with REG and FAR.

I start work September 14. Does anyone have advice with how I should tackle the two parts while starting working? Should I start studying slowly beginning of September, should I tackle FAR first? Any help is appreciated!

[Son]

Hi there,

In my experience first impression at work is everything, so I wouldn't rush it. Depending on when you expect your busy season to start (are you an auditor? working in tax? something else – no busy season?), I would spend the first two to three months just focusing on the job and making sure whatever work is given to you is being handled properly. CPA can wait that much, but no matter what the job is there will be a ton of new things for you to learn.

At the same time, see after your first week how busy you are. It might so happen that current projects are already staffed, and you won't get work assigned to you until a new one starts. If that's the case, you might even study for your exams while at work. If you're with a Big4 company, people usually are very understanding and would even encourage you to take care of CPA if you have downtime rather than procrastinate at work.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Anonymous]

I have been giving myself 3 months for each exam (I started work in December and had FAR and REG out of the way). Don't rush but don't stop studying all together. Go at your own pace and just strive for consistency with your studying habits.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

Agreed with all of the above. Give yourself time to learn your new job. My first job didn't go very well in-part because I didn't take the time to learn more about my job during the spare time that I didn't have. (Was still working on my final class from graduate school) Sure, I worked hard and put in a lot of hours, but I didn't take anything home from work to study, etc. This idea never even occurred to me until year-end close was almost done and there was so much friction between my boss and I that it was too late. Don't make that same mistake. Take at least a month to soak up everything you can about your new job before even thinking about studying for the CPA.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Anonymous]

I am starting September 14th as well. I am hoping to have 3 done by then (depends on a couple of score releases). I will have to retake FAR after starting. Granted, my situation is a little different since I have seen the material, but little by little I think I will tackle the material. A couple hours every evening and hit it hard on weekends. Then hammer it out and move on. I think that if you express that you are working on the exam they will be more than happy to accommodate you and support you. They want you to pass.

Of course soak in everything, but don't put the exam on the total backburner, because you will regret that more than anything.

[Pray4theCPA]

Continue to study for the exam while u work and don't put it off. Maybe start studying a week or two into your new job. I recently started a new job and have two exams done. Try to do at least one chapter a week maybe two depending on your schedule. One chapter a week is not a lot at all. I currently do one to two chapters a week and still have a life and can keep up at work. If you get the exam done early you will be that much ahead of the other staff who haven't started/are still working on it. Good luck.

FAR - 83
BEC - 81
AUD - 74,93
REG - 75

Becker Self Study & Becker Final Review

[pretendadult]

Thanks everyone, I believe I will see how the workpace is the first couple weeks than jump into things. I know first week will definitely be training and H/R things.

I will be working in Risk Advisory so no busy season per se, just depends on client deadlines.

I'm used to studying 2.5 weeks for an exam, so with work I will take it a bit slower.

[win2bet]

start now man, don't wait til job starts

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[Author]

Replies