[Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

I havent checked in for awhile since i’ve start at big 4 this past July. I went in with three down leaving FAR for last.

I took me a few tries to Pass 3 as you can see from my signature. Works been busy since i’ve started so obviously the hours arent there. However i’ve been studying FAR now for almost 6 months. Ive gone through Becker twice and Roger CPA twice. Honestly i’ve seen no improvement in my understanding of this material. In college i barely passed intermediate so there’s some background on why I suck.

It’s not that im losing the motivation because no matter what time I get home from work I still sit down to study. Ive dedicated the past 1.5 years of my life to the exam and its taking a toll as you may feel the same.

BEC expires in September so I have a few more cracks at it but I don’t see how Ill get through it. My first shot at FAR I got a 60 ( was surprised to receive that)

Not looking for encouragement but more advice on what to do. Like I really lack a good accounting base I guess and was able to memorize my way through 3 exams I think. This FAR stuff just doesnt click. I have to reread questions almost 5 times to get what theyre asking and itll take me another 5 to try to solve it. I never know how to approach a question. When the lecturers are going through the material it makes a bit of sense, but thats about it.

Anyone reallllllly struggle with FAR? How did you overcome it.

S

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by going through Becker & Roger twice?
To me, going through my CPA materials like Becker means reading the concepts, writing important notes, and answering the corresponding MCQs (on a per topic basis).

[Namstut]

What is your study plan? Do you complete one section and then do MCQs for that section or do you complete the whole chapter and then do the MCQs? Do you go over the explanations for each question if you get it wrong, go through the whole bank of MCQs for that specific section and then redo the ones you got wrong?

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[SuckItUp]

How much are you diving into the book? It all starts there.

Just watching the lectures and then going straight to the MC is a mistake for 95% of the CPA candidate population, JMHO.

Dive into the book, make notes.

I'm talking like a lot of notes. Get a three ring binder and put tabs in for all the different lectures. My FAR notes were thick, tons of them.

I absolutely SMOKED the MC on the test. SIMS were extremely tough but I did so good on the MC I passed with a good Margin of Safety (for the BEC folks).

[mtaylo24]

Same boat here bro. This material is not clicking at all for me. I'm on my second run, this stint, and I am astonished how much I have forgotten from the first time (this stint) around. Keep on plugging away.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[gooseneck]

I see myself in your shoes down the road, I have to ask, do you know the fundamentals of journal entries? I don't and this could be my downfall as well for FAR.

[Anonymous]

If you have a fundamental weakness in your understanding of Accounting, then no review course will help..usually as it just a condensed version (like ESPN highlights).

I suggest getting an Accounting textbook and try to grasp the knowledge..What I've realized is the first chapter in the Accounting textbook is the most critical. Understanding of the 10 elements of the framework that make up the financial statements (Income, Revenue, Expense..etc).

Once you grasp those definitions, you start to truly realize how the journal entries and how the financial statements work.You also start to see the objectives of the different statements, and the reasons for disclosures.

Kieso and Wiegland is a really good text to use. There are also tons of free resources online too.

[A]

Thank you, cessnapilot!

I think a lot of posters here overlook the fact that as CPAs, we are expected to understand these things and be able to apply that understanding in our work. I see too many people who just want to pass and apparently don't think much beyond the firm bonus or opportunity for advancement as a reason for the credential.

I had one half-assed attempt at FAR after graduating that was an epic failure. Now, after spending time working in public and as an industry GL accountant, the material is a cohesive package and not just a set of random principles to memorize. Reviewing for FAR is an actual review, and not some desperate exercise in remedial Intermediate Accounting.

The new exam format will likely weed out more of those people who can't be bothered with actual conceptual learning and application. Meanwhile, there isn't a day in my professional life (now I'm in banking) that isn't directly connected to something I studied – and I've never held a position that focuses on tax or audit.

Good luck to all that are struggling, and remember that earning the CPA credential should represent some sort of professional ability beyond test-taking.

B - 77 (2.27.16)
A - 81 (4.18.16)
R -
F -

Roger Review + Ninja MCQs

[Author]

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