[LUVINLIFE]

Okay, I have been out of school for about 20 years. I am thinking about studying for the CPA exam and have two kids in college. So, I need an effective tool to purchase, borrow, or use that is within reason. Becker is way to expensive for my blood. Can anyone help me with this?

[littlenumberrobot]

All of Jeff's NINJA products are of quality and reasonable. Check them out, but I would use them to supplement a course. Up to you. Good luck and welcome.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[mangos]

Yaeger if you like “lecture” style videos and people going over multiple choice questions with you.

Roger if you need an entertaining / motivating person giving the lectures.

Wiley Books + Testbank if you're good and can study/learn on your own.

FAR (5/07/13): 96

[LUVINLIFE]

Great!!! Thank you for those tips. It seems like everyone on here is passing everything quickly. I know you have 18 months but it seems like it is happening faster for the people using these.

[LUVINLIFE]

Yeah, $1,700 is extremely hard for me. Mangos….what did you use?

[mangos]

I'm using Becker… but that's only because my firm is paying it for me.

I believe you can get some decent discounts for Yaeger, bring it down to like $1200.

Anything cheaper than that, maybe CPAExcel or Gleim?

You could also buy used materials on eBay, but be careful of sections that will changes/additions to them (like AUD will see some changes after July of this year).

FAR (5/07/13): 96

[Getting a CPA]

I got CPAExcel with textbooks for $1200. Books are pointless. You could get CPAExcel on-line for $1000 probably…

[Jennifer241]

I bought several of these packages, and can say you get the most bang for your buck purchasing Wiley Test Bank & NINJA notes. You can also purchase the Wiley book, which explains things and walks you through the difficult topic's.

I also have children in college and understand the money constraint. I buy 1 Wiley book and test bank at a time, so that it isn't so much cost all in one month. I bought all of the NINJA notes at once, and Jeff sent me an update for the 2013 since I had bought the 2012. (TY Jeff!) Also you have a 12 month license on your purchase of the Wiley test bank, so if you buy all 4 parts, and only get to passing 3 before the end of 12 months, you have to purchase the last part again. Something to think about.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[mla1169]

If you are pretty good at self directed study, the Wiley books are the cheapest (but definately supplement with ninja notes!)

Just remember that trying to do this as inexpensively as possible can end up costing the most if you have to take one or more sections multiple times. Sometimes the best “value” is the one that costs a little more.

That said, I spent NOTHING to study for FAR. I used only cpareviewforfree.com (and whatever I could google). Yes, I passed but I did it the hard way. Was a lot like walking 19 miles to work to save gas money 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Allergic2CPA]

@LUVINLIFE…keep in mind that you dont have to purchase the whole course at once and can buy them in sections. I'm not sure about this but if you buy them in sections, you might end up paying more in total. Whether a more expensive single section is better than saving money on the whole course but having to pony up $1000+ at once is a tradeoff you have to decide on. Good luck in your CPA journey!

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[LSNYC]

I'm using Gleim, NINJA, Wiley test bank and for FAR I had the Wiley book.

Gleim is good, not great but good, I'm passing so for me it works, however I supplement with NINA and use these boards a lot. I agree with mla going the cheapest in the end isn't always the cheapest if you need to retake exams.

God luck you need to find the right formula for you and you will.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Author]

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