[Anonymous]

I will be interning with a Big 4 next summer, after I complete my bachelor’s and before I begin my master’s. I was hoping to do one section before the internship, but it would appear that my firm will not reimburse for any materials I purchase BEFORE receiving a FT offer. Therefore, it would make not much sense to lose out on a couple hundred dollars instead of waiting for free Becker.

This would leave me taking the first section after my internship, in October. I was thinking section 1 in October, section 2 in November or January, section 3 in January or February, and section 4 in April. Is this a realistic timeline for the CPA? I would say I’m a fairly above average standardized test taker, pretty good at cramming/remembering things for big tests. Also, thanks to my internship counting as a class credit, and being in the fortunate position to take two master’s classes in my upcoming senior year, my load will be lightened to three classes rather than four in Spring of my master’s, and I will probably have no job because I will have to quit it before my internship.

What do you guys think of this timeline? Is it realistic/doable/more than doable/challenging, with Becker? I know the CPA is a different beast compared to normal tests so I wanted the opinion of those who are in the middle of it.

Thanks in advance, and Happy 4th!

[Anonymous]

I don't really get what your plan is.

First you are writing about waiting for a FT offer so your study material will be paid but then you are explaining you want to start a Master program.

I think for FT working, master program AND cpa exams your plan seems quite tough for me.

In case of not working FT you can start right away with studying for the CPA since you have to pay for the material anyway on your own. I think beside college and not working full time this should be doable in the timeframe you suggested.

[Anonymous]

Cessna- I think you misunderstood

I will be interning summer 2014, after my senior year. At the completion of the internship, I expect to receive a FT offer, as almost all the interns do. The offers are almost always for the fall after which you complete all of your education, which would be Fall of 2015. I would be doing a master's while having an offer in hand, but I wouldn't start working full time until after the completion of my master's. Like so:

April 2014-finish Bachelor's

Summer 2014-Big 4 internship, receive Fall 2015 FT offer

Fall 2014-April 2015-Master's and proposed CPA studying

Summer 2015-Hopefully NOT taking the CPA exam

Fall 2015-Begin FT work at same Big 4 firm.

[Anonymous]

Oh ok, now I got it.

So, I would definitely start with the exams before staring FT although you have to pay for the software on your own. Maybe you get the software from your company right after you sign the contract.

And I would start right away because I think working in Audit @big 4 is quite demanding and you will have looong workdays, also don't forget taxseason…

[gobias]

Your timeline is realistic. Taking the exams over the course of an entire academic school year, especially with your spring semester being lighter, is comfortably doable.

F - 86
R - 90
A - 97
B - 91

[mla1169]

Yes completely realistic. I finished in 12 months while working a demanding full time job and in school for my masters (and 2 kids), Doing it in 8 months with school as your only other obligation is do-able.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[itstoolate4]

Yes, it is realistic. A lot of my peers will take at least one section during each semester of grad school before starting full time with B4.

Last semester I managed to take BEC while in grad school full time, while working 20 hours a week, and this semester I'm taking AUD in the middle of my final grad school semester, while working, also. I plan to (hopefully) crank out the last two right before starting full time this fall. It should be very manageable, especially if you're not working, as well.

BEC -(4/16/13)- 85
AUD -(7/16/13)- 75
REG -(8/31/13)- 86
FAR -(12/3/13)- 75

I am DONE!!

[mypetmeatball]

Why are you thinking about this already? Do yourself a favor and enjoy your last year of true freedom.

FWIW I did a summer internship and I took my exams: January of my MAC year (winter break studying), Feb of MAC year, May after graduation, and I'll be taking my final part in July. My start date is August 6

[acamp]

Very plausible plan, well done for thinking that far in advance. If you can afford the materials you want to buy, I would just pay out of pocket. Although I don't think a giant review is necessary for someone right out of or in the midst of school, even if you go that route, $3K out of Pocket < Studying while working. Are you absolutely sure they won't reimburse, I can see that they won't pony up for the review course right now, but I don't see why they wouldnt reimburse. I bought study materials (not expensive, Wiley and Ninja notes) well before my offer and the Big4 I work at reimbursed these once I passed the exam. Basically we have roughly $3K of study materials allowed, so either they will pay for a full Becker course, or reimburse for up to that amount if you bought the stuff yourself.

Either way, again, shelling out some cash will put you in a great position when you don't have to study while working. Congrats on great planning ahead!

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

Thanks to those that answered!

To mypetmeatball- I plan to enjoy my senior year next year, don't really plan to give any crazy effort in any class. However, during my Master's, the reason I'm planning it out is that I want to be DONE by the time my Master's is over, that way I CAN enjoy some freedom during the summer before I start working FT. I would rather plan and worry during my Master's and have the whole summer after off than not plan and have to study during my final free summer.

[Anonymous]

@Acamp- I was given info from someone who works at my specific Big 4 firm that they dont reimburse for anything bought prior to FT employment offer. I found it a little strange too, but whatever. If I can find a cheaper course (maybe $350 max per section) I could start studying for one section and try to squeeze it in before my internship, but by the time my 120 hrs show up on my transcript in May, I get a NTS, and I schedule a test, it may be too late, because my internship starts in June (a non-testing month) and I will still be doing it in July.

I could definitely do one section in August if I bought the course on my own, but that would lead to me studying a little bit during my internship (which goes through early August). Basically unless I squeeze it in during May or August, October would be the earliest. And it would be free.

[Anonymous]

One last bump, but I think In pretty much have my answer that October-April is a very doable timeline with Becker's help and with my only obligations being a lightened grad school load, and maybe a PT job.

[Author]

Replies