[sarita]

So I have the daunting task of passing every part of the exam before 2014 to avoid the change of all the new requirements. Only problem is that I just finished all my education credits and submitted the application a few weeks ago.. Of course, the board hasn’t responded yet (except for saying they received my money). So, even though I haven’t received the permission yet, I started studying for my first exam last week because I know I need to get the ball rolling ASAP.

Do you guys think I have any shot in taking the exam in May? I probably won’t hear back from the board for another couple weeks. I assumed I could just study and then sign up for one of the last days in May once I received approval. However, checking my testing sites now, there’s pretty much nothing available after May 20th. So either the board needs to respond soon or I pray that other people cancel their appointments.

If I don’t get the chance in May, I’ll only have July, August, October, and November to take the 4 parts – which I was trying to avoid. It would have been really nice to try one of the parts in May… but I don’t want to kill myself studying 40 hours a week and not even get in….

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Anonymous]

I did the same thing. What state are you in? It didn't take that long for them to process my information (MN) and I got my NTS on Feb 26th and Scheduled my test for Feb 27th. The test site openings change daily so just keep an eye on them. You should be just fine. I would communicate with your state representative personally if you have one and ask him/her if its a possibility to get it before end of May.

[sarita]

I'm in California.. I just worried because everything after May 20th was booked solid – even in locations two hours from me. CA's exam board site said the process can take up to six weeks….

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[littlenumberrobot]

Hi sarita386 – I am in CA. Something may open up, people sometimes pay the big bucks to reschedule at last minute. Maybe start studying for BEC(smallest amount of material, although can be tricky). CBA may not take too long because it is before the big rush after graduation. But maybe try and call them to see if they can tell you where your application is at exactly.

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%

[sarita]

Thanks. I started studying for auditing because that was one of the last classes I took for my education requirements.

Of course, they're changing auditing after May 2013 — so it apparently wasn't a brilliant idea to start studying. It is the topic most fresh in my head, though.

I just hope the board responds soon!!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[whitelilies04]

Sarita – I'm also in CA. Like a pp said, all of the test dates for the end of May are booked now, but people always reschedule at the last minute so if you are diligent about checking you should be able to schedule something. Just know that once the board approves you there is still some lag time before you can schedule an exam. You have tell the state which sections you want to ask NASBA for pemission to sit for, then you wait for NASBA to give you a payment coupon, then you pay, then you wait for your NTS to schedule your test with Prometrics. It is a very tedious process.

Good luck to you!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[mla1169]

By the way, in some states (not sure where you are) as long as you've been approved to sit before the changes take place you are grandfathered under the old requirements and don't have to have passed all 4 before the changes take place. You may want to double check?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mrschach]

You can also try calling the testing centers instead of just checking online. I took BEC the first time at my second choice location. I mentioned it when I took FAR at the closer location. I told them how much nicer and more professional they were in the burbs rather than the city. She told me next time I can't get in with them to call and talk to them instead of just looking online. She said they almost always have spots available that don't show on the website.

AUD - 76 (July 2012)
FAR - 87 (Feb 2013
BEC - April 2013
REG - 81 (August 2012)

[sarita]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Everyone is so helpful!

~Whitelillies – I agree, it's a very tedious process.. especially in California.

~MLA – Do you have any idea if this applies in California?? That would be amazing news..

~Mrschach – That's great advice, thanks!

…So to update everyone, I emailed the board, asking about my application status. They responded to me stating that it was “unlikely” that I could test in May because of timing/processing. I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I applied April 9th and thought I would definitely be approved sometime soon. But the guy said though I applied April 9, they didn't process my payment until April 17, and then it takes 4-6 weeks for processing, then an additional 1-2 weeks for additional steps. So yeah, according to that timeline, I don't like my chances of testing in May – especially because the end of the window is a very popular time for testing.

So I guess I won't take my first exam until early July. That being said, do you think I should stick with studying for AUD? I don't think I need two full months to study this material. I think my time would be better served studying for FAR or REG. Which section requires the most time to study? This is probably going to be my only opportunity to have two whole months to study, every other time will be much shorter… and I need to pass all 4 parts by November. (Did I mention they are changing the requirements to become a CPA in California January 1, 2014… 30 more semester units!!!!!!)

Thanks again!!!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[mla1169]

I found this link, apparently you do have to meet all of the licensing requirements by 12/31/13 and there is no grandfather clause, sorry!

Created with Compare Ninja

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[littlenumberrobot]

sarita386 – For CA you have to get your application in process before 12/31/13 to be grandfathered in. Read the licensing handbook and updates for information regarding that.

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/lic_require.shtml

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%

[sarita]

Thanks mla1169 and littlenumberrobot… that's exactly what I thought. It's probably why CA is so backed up with apps right now. Arg!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[littlenumberrobot]

sarita386 – I just read in the CBA news that there is legislation pending that would allow you to still be licensed under current pathways if you pass all 4 by 12/31/13. I hope this happens for you and all the others fighting against the clock!! Are you signed up for the CBA news emails? Very helpful information is posted and they email each time.

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%

[sarita]

Hey littlenumberrobot.. Thanks for the heads up about the newsletter. So that legislation just may make it so you can finish work experience after 12/31/13 right? Because to sit in the first place, you still need all the education requirements.

Not too worried about work hours.. But it's good to know. I really wish they would just grandfather you in if you pass one of the parts before 12/31/13. That would be so helpful and fair!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[I just love this]

@sarita I'm in a similar position with you as far as waiting for the Cali state board to sometime approve me. Good heavens, 4-6 weeks.. you could do a whole section during the time it takes for them to approve the application!! It takes a whole week in addition for NASBA to process the testing fees to get your NTS.

I'm curious, when you say new requirements in 2014 are you referring to Cali's Pathway 1 they are getting rid of ??

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[sarita]

Sorry, I just love this… just saw your post.

Yeah that's what I'm referring to, the change in pathways. But it's not just removing Pathway 1. In 2014, for Pathway 2, 30 of those extra 150 units must fall into the specific accounting/ethics categories. That isn't part of the requirement right now. I'm actually following Pathway 2 already. I just have 24 unites of accounting and 24 units of business, all my other units are in nonrelated fields.

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Author]

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