[markfwb]

I work at a Circle K Convience Store and a Sunoco convience store because I can not find an accounting job. I have an Accounting degree and I am qualified to sit for CPA exam in California. According to the CBA, All I need is 15 more credit to acquire the needed 150 credits. I make 9 dollars an hour, I am broke and in debt. I have managed to save $2000 on a review course but i have been out of Accounting for 10 years and I barely remember my intermediate courses but I am extremely motivated. I worked 80 hour weeks to get the money by selling alcohol, lotto, and tobacco to some of the harshest people in one of the most poverty stricken areas in Florida. I want to turn my life around. Im dropping down to one job 40 hours a week to study. I was considering Gleim because of its price but I am leaning towards Rodgers because I like his enthauaiam. I dont have money for retakes because im married with lots of bills. All i have is an Android 8inch tablet and a cheap boost mobile cell phone but ill buy a laptop if necessary. Please i need your input. Once I get my cpa im going to get a job with a local firm but they wont consider my application until I pass this test since I was a medicore college student. Again I can not spend more than 2 grand and my accounting experience is limited to bookkeeping so i need the best guided review. Becker is out of the question. Cpaexcel seems complicated and Yaeger seems boring and hard to follow. I could be wrong. I like video lectures and lots of sims and mcqs most importantly I need structure. Thank you for your feed back and godspeed to everyone.

Using only Gleim. If i can pass this exam then anyone can. I am a stupid idiot.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

It sounds like you're in a really tough spot with a tremendous amount of pressure on you in addition to wanting to add maybe 400 hours of study to your plate at night with exam course costs, test fees, etc.

If I was you I would try to secure a better job first, not even accounting related if I had to, and make sure my bills are manageable. Next, skip the expensive course that promises results. If you're really serious and want to cut costs then get some used review course texts off Craigslist. A used Gleim book or Wiley book with questions at the end of each chapter will do the trick if you're diligent enough. If you drop two grand on Roger and then fail with a 74 you don't want to have to throw in the towel, and believe me, it is a real possibility.

Do it the cheapest way possible, regardless of how you learn, and put in the hours and you can pass. Don't shell out the premium cash and put way too much pressure on yourself and then have to give up because it was too expensive. Good luck.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[markfwb]

Thanks.

I can pay my bills because my wife works too. I dont want to secure a better job because even though I dont make much cash, I dont have stress from my job giving me tons of time to study. I am actually typing this on my phone from work…lol. ill make plenty of cash as soon as i pass all 4 parts. Id be like the only accountant in town with a cpa here since im in a real small town. I figure one more month and ill have 3 grand because the second job all income goes towards cpa test. Thank u on advice. I heard u need up to date information so i was unsure about buying prior year cpa review stuff

Using only Gleim. If i can pass this exam then anyone can. I am a stupid idiot.

[jbarwick]

Before you drop money on a test, contact a recruiting firm as they will give you an honest opinion of your chances with an accounting firm. They can help you look for positions and will talk you up into getting a better job. You also need to show you are pursuing this and not just saying this so you will need to find a cheap though convincing way you are committed. Distance learning courses are the cheapest way to earn extra hours so submitting an application or something to say you are getting those 150 hours is a good start.

If you want CPA exam review material, Another71 is the cheapest by far and then find some additional books to aide if you think you need it. I spent WAY too much on Becker and have only cracked open the hard back books once. Find someone who is willing to sell you books similar to me, but don't get burned.

Good luck! Ask any questions you may have.

Journey Started - January 2015
FAR - 4/2015 - Passed
AUD - 7/2015 - Passed
BEC - 8/2015 - Passed
REG - 11/12/2015 - Passed

[wr8280]

markfwb, you have an amazing story so I'd like to help you. Yaeger CPA is great, and they have coupon discounts all the time. I spent about $1,300 which includes DVD copies, Wiley Books, and the test bank. If you don't have a DVD player, they are cheap– much cheaper than a laptop and you also get access to the same lectures online.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself, my friend. I know you are motivated, but the CPA exam is about endurance. Don't burn yourself out early on in your review program. It doesn't matter you don't remember many accounting concepts, they will come back to you once you start.

FAR- 82
REG- 93
AUD- 89
BEC- 88

You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

[Anonymous]

If you like video lectures and structure, I would actually consider CPAExcel. It would fall under your $2k and a significant “comfort factor” in my opinion is that it doesn't expire and the online version stays updated. I also like structure and videos and used CPAExcel exclusively for AUD, BEC and REG. I added NINJA MCQ and Audio for FAR, but those are priced very affordably. I didn't find it complicated as you indicated above. To the contrary, I thought it was pretty straightforward in the way that it walked you through the material. It also helps plan for study time, though some of the timeframes it gives weren't really accurate in my experience.

I went through all the material on CPAExcel. It was a grind, but I did it and I passed all four on the first try. Good luck.

[y_u_no_pass]

I was just at a conference and learned that gleim now has videos. But I agree that for your situation you are probably best going cheap. Because it is possible to pass that way. You can get some slightly older used books and buy the ninja test bank. Maybe add the audio too if you are that kind of learner. I also used CPA excel and liked it, but it is a lot of material. You can use whatever you like, but it may be worthwhile to get something that doesn't expire because it can take a while, especially since you have been out of school. Good luck to you! It sounds like you are very motivated and that is good.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[CPA soon]

If I was you I would focus on getting an accounting first, maybe something simple like accounts payable and move on from there. I don't want to discourage you but your chances are slim to get into public accounting. I work in finance for a 6 billion automotive supplier with 2-3 experience as financial analyst and I have completed 3/4 of the exam and I am struggling to make it to an accounting firm. Still not working out for me, focus on the basics to get your life together. The CPA exam might cost you money and time and stress without getting you anywhere.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[CPA soon]

If I was you I would focus on getting an accounting first, maybe something simple like accounts payable and move on from there. I don't want to discourage you but your chances are slim to get into public accounting. I work in finance for a 6 billion automotive supplier with 2-3 experience as financial analyst and I have completed 3/4 of the exam and I am struggling to make it to an accounting firm. Still not working out for me, focus on the basics to get your life together. The CPA exam might cost you money and time and stress without getting you anywhere.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Missy]

Going to echo those who suggest finding a job (entry level) first. I know its hard and I know you've likely been looking,but having passed all 4 exams by itself isn't going to make you more marketable. And an entry level accounting job isn't going to be any more stressful than your current job. Trust me. But its a foot in the door and combined with passing the exams is where your resume gets positive attention.

I have no doubt that you have the ability to pass these exams and could likely spend less than 500 between Wiley and Ninja to get it done.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

The Ninja products are on par with the other CPA review courses that you mentioned. And with Ninja your dollars go much, much farther.

[golfball7773]

I started in AR at a corporation and then moved to a Staff Accountant.

I 2nd those that suggest NINJA. I use it and it very cheap!

hiya15 to save 15 percent 🙂

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Mika]

One word: Ninja

REG - 80 (02/13/2015) Roger + Ninja Flash Card + Ninja MCQ + Becker's Note
FAR - 84 (05/29/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Some Wiley book questions
BEC - 77 (08/27/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions
AUD - 87 (08/28/2015) Roger + Ninja MCQ + Half Wiley book questions

[markfwb]

I have worked in accounting before. I know quickbooks like the back of my hand. If I have a CPA i can get a job that pays at least 40k. Keep in mind im cheap. I dont smoke or drink and my diet consists of rice potatoes and veggies. I can live off 1000 bucks per month. I have been doing it for years. Besides im going to start my own practice. If no one opens doors for me i will make my own doors. I love my job now because I can even study at work. I can move back home to Pittsburgh and make 60k right now but I live in paradise, work a stressfree job… im just poor.

Besides that… what do you guys think of gleim… i watched rodgers and thought he was amazing does any one have experience with him.

Using only Gleim. If i can pass this exam then anyone can. I am a stupid idiot.

[markfwb]

Btw. Im getting Ninja notes as a suppliment but i want some solid lectures

Using only Gleim. If i can pass this exam then anyone can. I am a stupid idiot.

[golfball7773]

^How do you learn?

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Author]

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