[justgivemea75]

Hi all,

I was curious how you all are able to study for the CPA while working full-time in the meat grinder that is public accounting. Currently, I’m studying for FAR, and started that about a month ago. Even though I don’t have too many other responsibilities, studying for this thing has been a huge drain on my energy. I’ve already gone through the material and am mostly just reviewing, but I had to take some time off because that thing was consuming my life and I was going crazy devoting so much time to it.

Because I’m already burning out, I’m planning on rescheduling it to late July. I really need some time to enjoy my last few weeks with my family/friends before moving and the 4th of July weekend before grinding again. As a result, I’m obviously not going to finish all 4 parts before work like most people. I will start in early September, so my goal at the very, very least is to get FAR done and then get a jump on studying for another one so that I can take one immediately in October (maybe REG since it seems to be consensus second hardest).

My question is how do you guys handle working for a Big 4 and studying? One good thing is that I’m fine with putting social life on hold, but the one thing I don’t want is for my health to suffer. I need at least 1-1.5 hours to lift/workout and relieve stress.

I’ve been considering buying NINJA audio and playing that during my commute to work and while working, but how effective has that been for those of you that do it? Obviously while driving and working, my mind won’t be 100% focused on that material, but does listening to them over and over again even when not being 100% attentive still help you learn the material and get you some free points on the exam?

If anyone else is in this position (again, I know I’m rare, but I can’t be the only one, right?), I’d really appreciate some advice. Also, let’s assume that I take the FAR exam exactly one month from now (the 26th of July). Is it possible to take REG before the window closes? I’m not too worried about AUD and especially BEC, but I’m very concerned about failing FAR/REG and having to take those while working.

Thanks in advance!

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[Anonymous]

My advice is to knock it out as soon as you can. The more experience you get, the more responsibility you will be given. It will only get more difficult.

I started studying after my first full time spring tax season. Passed FAR and June in the summer. As soon as fall tax season was over, passed REG and BEC before my second spring season. I did this all whole commenting 55 miles one way and helping to raise my now 3 year old son. I also managed to hit the gym regularly. I would study some at work and 1.5-2 hours at night. Weekends I would study 3-4 hours during the day and a few hours at night.

You can do it. Just have to want it bad enough. I was 28, a wife and child to raise, was pretty down on myself for not having accomplished anything in my life. I needed to crush this thing for my confidence and family.

[mla1169]

I didn't work in public but had plenty on my plate. Got 2 hours per night studying from 10:30-12:30 and 4 hours each day on the weekend. Worked out to 18hr/week, 20 if I was lucky. Managed to pass FAR in 6 weeks. You may have to make sacrifices, sleep will be one, activities may be another. Fortunately I didn't have to sacrifice many activities but I was certainly sleep deprived for a full year.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Kimboroni]

It's definitely doable– it's all about planning, really. Be realistic about scheduling and don't assume you'll be able to study effectively during busy season– it's a nice idea but not too likely. I took one in early January and left the next one for May, for example.

I think Ninja Audio is great. It became my must-have for the other sections. If I find myself zoning out and not paying attention, I repeat things after Jeff to keep me on track. But I listenened to FAR so many times that it eventually didn't end up being a problem.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[justgivemea75]

“My advice is to knock it out as soon as you can. The more experience you get, the more responsibility you will be given. It will only get more difficult..”

Well, I definitely want to knock it out within my first year. Can anyone critique my plan perhaps and tell me how doable it is?

1. First I want FAR out. I have studied off and on for 1 month, done with the Becker material, but need time to review/let the material sink in and to sign up for my exam. My goal is to take this late-July (like the 18th-25th or so). If I get submit my app by Friday this week, this should be enough time to get it processed and get an appointment in that range. Worst case scenario, take it end of July.

2. Next, I want to get as much of REG done before work starts. If I can be dedicated enough to blast through it within 4 weeks and bang it out before I leave, that's great. Otherwise, I'll get the Becker stuff done and then review like a mad man for 4 weeks while working. Tax/Law is my weaker point, so I feel like I need all 4 weeks to review anyway, plus I'll be working so it's not like I'm just sitting around review either. Worst case scenario, be done with this exam 1st Monday of October.

3. Knock out BEC. This I feel should be relatively cake because it's general biz + cost accounting, which I'm good at. IT will be the hardest part. I'm thinking I can knock this pretty quickly and my goal is to get it done before the holiday season (my favorite time of year!). I'm hoping this will be done, worst case scenario, by mid-November before Thanksgiving. I feel pretty comfortable with BEC, so I may be able to get it done within 4 weeks even while working. This part only requires about 80 hours right? Worst case scenario, mid-November done.

4. AUD. If I can bang this out before new years, that's fantastic. Otherwise, my busy season for audit will likely start in January and run through April. I figure even if I want a break from the CPA at that point, I can take this after my busy season and still have plenty of time to get it done before my FAR expires in late-July. Hell, going through a busy season might even help me absorb the material since I'll have done some of the stuff it requires.

Does this seem manageable? I guess I'm mostly losing sleep over FAR and REG. My plan while working is come in 2 hours before work (skip morning traffic too!), work, go to the gym, come back, review notes for an hour or so, fix food/relax. On weekends, the plan is to wake up early, study for 4-6 hours, run errands/relax. On Sunday, I can probably study for a while again, then watch football while reviewing flashcards, etc. Has anyone done something similar to this or what schedule did you all use?

Finally, for those of you who have NINJA audio, how effective is it to listen to while commuting/working? Obviously, your mind will be partially focused on the road/what your task is, but do you feel that listening to it over and over while doing that will eventually help you retain info even if you're not 100% into it all the time?

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[mla1169]

Well there's no testing in December so if you're taking an exam near Thsnksgiving that will be it for the year. In my seasoned opinion don't even think past FAR for now. Register for that only and focus on now-end of July. After you've got one under your belt you'll be able to make a reasonable strategy for the rest. I believed I'd be able to knock all 4 out in 6 months but it took me exactly a year total.

And if you pass FAR in 7/14 you have 18 months (not 12) to finish the other 3 parts.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[acamp]

Any way for you to commute to work on public transportation? I only had one exam left when I started public, but for that one exam I cracked the books to and from work.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Hank Scorpio]

Do 6 to 8 hours on Saturday and 4 hours a couple nights like you have a night class. Stay on schedule like that and you will do fine.

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[Author]

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