[Anonymous]

I am a recent 5th year dual degree (BS/MS) accounting student. I do not have a job at the moment, but I am thinking of testing for the CPA this summer with my brother’s Becker books dvds and flashcards from 2011. Is this a good idea? Or should I get new study materials?

[jeff]

Bad idea – especially for AUD.

Those were written in 2010.

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

[wendywhite]

I am a thrifty cpa studier and I say it can work.

Be sure you are aware of the changes for auditing – which involves some changes authoritative literature. you will have free access to it – the clarified statements… as long as you register for your free access after you sign up for an exam.

I would recommend supplementing the 2011 materials with something less expensive like – ninja notes for auditing or the current wiley test bank (probably the best option)

I am using 2nd hand materials and if you are willing look things up outside of the study materials – (FASB codification, IRS.gov, etc) – it shouldn't be a problem.

FAR 11/2012: 80
AUD 2/19/2013: 90
REG 5/14/2013: 76
BEC 11/2013: 85
Ethics: 100
Waiting on the packet....

[jeff]

Bad idea – especially for AUD.

Those were written in 2010.

😀

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

[MICHI2D2G]

ok if you look at it from someone whos been a cpa for 20 years, sure the concepts are still the same …I'm sure it can work but is it really worth your time/ aggrevation/frustration?? the exam is hard enough and has enough material as it is..why do u want to study stuff that is outdated for no reason? just think would u rather spend lets say 250 (cost of taking section , just one section twice) taking it twice? o r just spend that 250 on new materials…..just do it the right way

[J]

I humbly disagree with the site owner with one exception…

I don't see any significant issue with using material that is a couple of years old. I did exactly this with FAR (used Yaeger 2011 for FAR in 2013) and did fine. I paid significantly less than I would have for a current version and spent the rest on wine (only partially joking on that last part).

The exception is this: If the material is changing significantly, as AUD is doing as of July of this year, I wouldn't recommend it.

It's obviously your choice, but if your funds are limited and no one is paying your way (i.e. I know that a lot of firms out there pay for Becker), I honestly don't see an issue here.

[Tncincy]

Saving money is a great idea. I would be worried about putting work into old materials only to find different materials on the test. Theory will not change, a debit is a debit and a credit is a credit, but if the accounting standards codification change I would want to know what to do with the debit or credit. So I would want some kind of supplement to make sure I am studying with current information. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping someone want to donate their Yeager REG video if they passed already. Not more than a year old though.

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

[mla1169]

CAN it be done? Absolutely. Are you taking a risk by using older material? Definately. Look, I studied for FAR using nothing but cpareviewforfree.com. Wouldn't recommend it, I am sure I worked so much harder than I needed to for that 75.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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