[Ganbatte]

Hi everyone, I gradated from undergrad a week ago and my CPA journey beings now! I am looking for some advice and guidance, as I feel quite lost and unsure of where to start.

Here is where I am now: I will work for an accounting firm in New York starting in November this year so I am hoping to pass all 4 parts before I start working. I just applied for FAR and AUD, hoping to take them in the July/Aug window, followed by REG and BEC in the Oct/Nov window (I only applied for FAR and AUD so far, didn’t want to register for all 4 right off the bat since I have no idea what the exam will be like).

I watched a couple demo videos and am considering getting Yaeger (my firm does not pay for review course material…Yaeger seems to offer a better price:value ratio and I don’t think Becker’s “circle this, highlight that” will work for me anyways; I am more old-fashioned and like the writing-on-board teaching style). I want to start studying right away but want to make sure of what I’m doing before dumping so much money on a review course. I apologize in advance if these are stupid questions, as I am literally starting on the path right now and don’t know much of what to expect over the next few months. When people say they use Yaeger, do they mean they purchase the “Homestudy – Standard Edition”, that is, the complete course for $1,887? Is this the same as the “Yaeger At Your Pace – Complete Course” (is the only difference the delivery timing where they send each section one at a time and you let them know when)? Is it better to purchase all 4 sections together at once? Has anyone purchased just the book set alone for $350 or is that definitely insufficient study material?

Please let me know how your experience with Yaeger was, especially if you are a fresh college grad like me! Any advice/guidance/suggestions is greatly appreciated at this point. I want to start studying asap, but I want to have a better idea of how review courses work and a better picture of what the next few months will be like as I start on this journey! Thanks!

Created with Compare Ninja

7/14 FAR ☑
8/14 AUD ☑
10/14 REG ☑
1/15 BEC

[LStevens225]

Hey Ganbatte! There are no stupid questions!

I actually have the Yaeger at your pace home study. I haven't passed any yet but I took FAR twice and failed so that's my background. I also liked the regular teaching style. I need to see the writing on the board and such as you do. Cindy really does know her stuff. I personally can't stand Phil. He's loud and seems scatterbrained and doesn't explain things to the fullest which might not be a big deal to you as your a recent grad. I graduated in 2011 so I had a lot to freshen up with. I will say that I called Cindy about my first fail and it was a horrible experience. After studying for 3 months and I told her my score of 60 she asked if I even studied. There is a forum post about it. It was incredibly insulting and took my off guard. With that alone I wouldn't buy it again…

I wish I got Rogers CPA. He's very upbeat from what I can tell and I didn't think I would care but I wish it was the same teacher throughout the review course and I believe Rogers does that. At the end of FAR there is Phil and the really old dude who I like because he stares at the screen for long moments and my brain goes “ahhhhh a moment of silence” lol But I believe he does AUD and I started AUD and I will say… He's boring as is AUD but it was pretty painful but I didn't get far in AUD as I went back to FAR so it might just be AUD lol

I do like the at your pace… I got AUD after testing for FAR but I haven't gotten the BEC or REG. I believe there is no time limit but I hope when I do they are the updated versions lol

When I got my Yaeger there was no online study thing like they do now and it was USB and text book for 1600 and that was with 300 off or a mini iPad… I got the 300 off lol

So Yaeger really isn't bad. I would recommend trying to get a deal though. They run them all the time. I believe they have a recent grad one for snag that while you can.Hope I explained my experience well. lol I might have rambled as its early lol

[LStevens225]

Hey Ganbatte! There are no stupid questions!

I actually have the Yaeger at your pace home study. I haven't passed any yet but I took FAR twice and failed so that's my background. I also liked the regular teaching style. I need to see the writing on the board and such as you do. Cindy really does know her stuff. I personally can't stand Phil. He's loud and seems scatterbrained and doesn't explain things to the fullest which might not be a big deal to you as your a recent grad. I graduated in 2011 so I had a lot to freshen up with. I will say that I called Cindy about my first fail and it was a horrible experience. After studying for 3 months and I told her my score of 60 she asked if I even studied. There is a forum post about it. It was incredibly insulting and took my off guard. With that alone I wouldn't buy it again…

I wish I got Rogers CPA. He's very upbeat from what I can tell and I didn't think I would care but I wish it was the same teacher throughout the review course and I believe Rogers does that. At the end of FAR there is Phil and the really old dude who I like because he stares at the screen for long moments and my brain goes “ahhhhh a moment of silence” lol But I believe he does AUD and I started AUD and I will say… He's boring as is AUD but it was pretty painful but I didn't get far in AUD as I went back to FAR so it might just be AUD lol

I do like the at your pace… I got AUD after testing for FAR but I haven't gotten the BEC or REG. I believe there is no time limit but I hope when I do they are the updated versions lol

When I got my Yaeger there was no online study thing like they do now and it was USB and text book for 1600 and that was with 300 off or a mini iPad… I got the 300 off lol

So Yaeger really isn't bad. I would recommend trying to get a deal though. They run them all the time. I believe they have a recent grad one for snag that while you can.Hope I explained my experience well. lol I might have rambled as its early lol

[jeff]

Before you drop nearly $2,000 on any course, read this: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-survival-guide/

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[jeff]

Before you drop nearly $2,000 on any course, read this: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-survival-guide/

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Mamabear]

My suggestion is to get a Wiley book (approx $50 per section), and the Ninja 10 point combo with the Ninja MCQ. You'll save a fortune and you will have everything you need to pass. But I'm biased. Lectures do nothing for me and I think self studying with materials is a better use of my time.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Mamabear]

My suggestion is to get a Wiley book (approx $50 per section), and the Ninja 10 point combo with the Ninja MCQ. You'll save a fortune and you will have everything you need to pass. But I'm biased. Lectures do nothing for me and I think self studying with materials is a better use of my time.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[koz124]

Know your learning style before you jump into any program. I purchased Yaeger two years ago when I thought I was going to take the exam, but ended up being ineligible and had to take a few extra courses. It was alright for the approximate 1/3 of Far I watched. However, I purchased it again when I became eligible and discovered it was too slow paced learning for me. I ended up just buying the Wiley books. They were a better method for me. While I failed Aud and Far, it had nothing to do with the material, but the amount of time I put into studying (maybe half of the recommended time). However, if I had the chance, I think I would buy the Ninja books instead of Wiley and supplement with the Ninja test MCQ's and audio (which I have purchased). Unfortunately, only the Ninja BEC book is currently out. So, in short, if you can sit through videos and learn that way great. If you learn well by reading, it's a much cheaper alternative. Just be weary that Wiley can be a lot of information and supplemental material to key in on certain factors is beneficial.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[koz124]

Know your learning style before you jump into any program. I purchased Yaeger two years ago when I thought I was going to take the exam, but ended up being ineligible and had to take a few extra courses. It was alright for the approximate 1/3 of Far I watched. However, I purchased it again when I became eligible and discovered it was too slow paced learning for me. I ended up just buying the Wiley books. They were a better method for me. While I failed Aud and Far, it had nothing to do with the material, but the amount of time I put into studying (maybe half of the recommended time). However, if I had the chance, I think I would buy the Ninja books instead of Wiley and supplement with the Ninja test MCQ's and audio (which I have purchased). Unfortunately, only the Ninja BEC book is currently out. So, in short, if you can sit through videos and learn that way great. If you learn well by reading, it's a much cheaper alternative. Just be weary that Wiley can be a lot of information and supplemental material to key in on certain factors is beneficial.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[jdwalton19]

I used Yaeger and passed all four parts on the first attempt.

Basically…if you need help explaining the concepts, then go with Yaeger (I had been out of school for a bit so I appreciated the instructional videos). But…since you are fresh out of school, you may not need the instructional videos.

It really depends on your learning style also, and although I'm glad I had the Yaeger videos…they were a bear to sit through.

FAR - MAY - 84
AUD - AUG - 88
REG - AUG - 92
BEC - Dec - 82

KY Licensed!

Yaeger

[jdwalton19]

I used Yaeger and passed all four parts on the first attempt.

Basically…if you need help explaining the concepts, then go with Yaeger (I had been out of school for a bit so I appreciated the instructional videos). But…since you are fresh out of school, you may not need the instructional videos.

It really depends on your learning style also, and although I'm glad I had the Yaeger videos…they were a bear to sit through.

FAR - MAY - 84
AUD - AUG - 88
REG - AUG - 92
BEC - Dec - 82

KY Licensed!

Yaeger

[LongShot]

I used Yaeger and think it's great. And yes, only difference is timing for at your own pace-you should be fine now, but if it was later in the year you could wait and make sure updated materials for the next year are delivered when you're ready. I liked Yaeger because of the lecture style (had been out of school for better part of a year, plus my school was a TERRIBLE accounting school). Paying out of pocket I'd just weigh cost versus personal learning style and go with best option. For me, best option was Yaeger.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[LongShot]

I used Yaeger and think it's great. And yes, only difference is timing for at your own pace-you should be fine now, but if it was later in the year you could wait and make sure updated materials for the next year are delivered when you're ready. I liked Yaeger because of the lecture style (had been out of school for better part of a year, plus my school was a TERRIBLE accounting school). Paying out of pocket I'd just weigh cost versus personal learning style and go with best option. For me, best option was Yaeger.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[h0wdyus]

There is so much material to cover, just reading a book on your own specially wiley can be very time consuming. Wiley with Yager did the trick for me. Yaeger paces you through the material and steers you in the right direction. The video lectures supplemented with audio's are very good. Becker at the same time I feel is very mechanical and very formula oriented . For understanding issues, yaeger wins.

I have also heard Ninja notes are good have not used them.

I would go with Yaeger video and audio and Ninja ( if time permits ).

The decision about the course is critical in your passing since it should match your learning style. There are sample lecture videos on Yager's website , watch all 4. Gary Bulmash in auditing might seem very boring, but he is awesome.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[h0wdyus]

There is so much material to cover, just reading a book on your own specially wiley can be very time consuming. Wiley with Yager did the trick for me. Yaeger paces you through the material and steers you in the right direction. The video lectures supplemented with audio's are very good. Becker at the same time I feel is very mechanical and very formula oriented . For understanding issues, yaeger wins.

I have also heard Ninja notes are good have not used them.

I would go with Yaeger video and audio and Ninja ( if time permits ).

The decision about the course is critical in your passing since it should match your learning style. There are sample lecture videos on Yager's website , watch all 4. Gary Bulmash in auditing might seem very boring, but he is awesome.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[Ganbatte]

Thank you everyone for your input! I will get Yaeger.

@LStevens225: thanks for the headsup about the special. They're running that 37 year promotion package right now; I will also choose the $300 off instead of the iPad mini.

@Jeff: the link doesn't work!

Created with Compare Ninja

7/14 FAR ☑
8/14 AUD ☑
10/14 REG ☑
1/15 BEC

[Author]

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