[Anonymous]

I was planning on taking bec in the middle of tax season, then a month later taking AUD. However, I was informed that it was wasn’t smart to take an exam during tax season. So I’m taking 2 months to study for both exams, taking them a week apart. Any tips on how to pass both?

[nalratoss]

I think out of the 4 sections, AUD and BEC are the dual that's doable to take at the same time. However, do not underestimate BEC. People thought that BEC should be the easiest of the four with the highest passing rate. In fact, BEC is the one section that feels like “all over the place”. It tests you COSO, economics, capital management, IT, cost accounting (variance analysis) and a little bit of risk management.

Unlike FAR (entirely accounting), AUD (entirely auditing), REG (entirely tax and regulation), BEC feels like four to five small pieces wielded together that doesn't coexist very well. If you feel good about audit, then give enough time for BEC.

You will encounter lots of equations and calculations in BEC—that's like exactly opposite of AUD.

[Defo]

I thought BEC and AUD material were pretty easy to prepare for, but my tip would be to ignore whoever told you to take them together (unless it was your boss). Just take BEC during tax season and study for each one separately. Delaying both until just after tax season would mean you are doing most of the studying through tax season anyway, which kinda defeats the purpose.

I don't think there is any magic to preparing for two at once. You just have learn and retain twice the material. Is it possible? absolutely, but hopefully its obvious why this would be harder then just taking them separately.

[Author]

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