[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience with Becker and getting a refund? Stupidly bought all four sections with them at once for the live course and now have realized that their courses are not really designed for someone who is working a demanding job at the same time. The first course for the financial exam has already started but the other 3 sections have yet to start and have not touched the books for them. I called them up requesting a refund for the other 3 courses that have not yet started and they refused saying that you only have within 5 days of when the first class you scheduled starts to ask for a refund or you must pay for ALL classes that you paid for.

They have so many hidden fees associated with rescheduling their classes that I am just done with Becker. I also paid for this out of my pocket! To reschedule 3 Exams would cost you $400. Free first exam re-schedule, and then $195 per each other exam.

Let me know if anyone has any advice for dealing with them or anything. Not sure I can justify spending another $400 with a company where you have to wait 15 minutes to reach a representative by phone, pay for additional features when you already have the most expensive course, listen to the instructor try to sell you on other Becker CPA products, and have to deal with a website that goes incredibly slow or times out when you are using it.

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[SeattleAccountant]

Did you sign up for live session (and hence, class rescheduling)? What are the exam/s rescheduling, I thought they were completely separate deal with NASBA, aren't they?

Not sure about how refunds are working for their products but want to point out that Becker has self-study option, i.e. study at your own pace instead of following online schedule. You do not really have to follow their schedule for online either – it is your choice and their recommendation (which i'm personally not using).

I'm using Becker and have busy life, and have been using online version at my own pace – completing 1 chapter per week instead of 2, and doing final reviewing for more than their recommended 2 weeks. On several occasions I had called them for various technical reasons and the wait was rather decent.

Have you looked into switching to self-study or online version instead of rescheduling classes and paying more fees? It is already rather expensive!

Keep posted of how it is going to turn out, good luck!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[IwannaBaCPA]

I also used Becker. I have to say I am not sure I follow you on the extra fees? What are you rescheduling? The actual exam scheduling is not part of Becker.

Either way, Becker is actually a great option for someone with a busy schedule. You can go at your own pace even if you paid for the live classes – you do not HAVE to go. I think they just play the lectures anyway. I did the online classes personally, but really you can take the self study approach. You can study the sections in any order. The nice thing about Becker is how organized and easy to follow the material is. Their practice exams are nearly identical (in style and format not questions) to the actual exam – so that helps on exam day. I did not pay for Becker and don't know if I think it is worth the money, BUT since you already spent the money…you probably won't get it back.

Good luck to you!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I should have been more clear that I didn't mean reschedule the test but rescheduling of the Live classes. I called them up and asked them about it and they quoted this:

“Within the 12 month period from initial registration, a candidate may change the course format, delivery method or sequence of their CPA Exam Review parts. No charge will apply for the first change; however, a $195 administrative fee will apply to all subsequent changes. Any sales tax charge resulting from a format switch to the Self-Study format after the original order is the responsibility of the student. The new class sequence or format must begin within the original 12-month period from the date of purchase (self-study) or the original start date (live or online format.”

So, any changes will be free for the first change and then $195 per each change after. It is an interesting point though, to just only use the software. I was thinking of getting rid of Becker and just using the Yaeger course but since I have “invested” in the Becker course it might be better to just try using it but at my own pace.

[SeattleAccountant]

@CharBarGrill

Yeah man, use the online/textbook content and forget about the classes!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[IwannaBaCPA]

Ok that makes more sense. I would just go at your own pace. The online classes offered very little of anything extra anyway and I've heard the same for the live classes.. Supplement with NINJA notes if you feel you need something extra.

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[jsmithsae]

save yourself the time and switch to self-study…go at your own pace. no date sensitive requirements for becker promise and you can study from wherever you are at any time.

as others have stated, there is no benefit to the live version now…way back in the day newt(becker himself) used to travel around and hop in on the live classes. my father used becker and newt took the class out for beer after it was over…the teachers aren't that cool nowadays.

BEC-75!
AUD-84!
REG-78!
FAR-83!
Ethics-Passed!
Experience-Got that too

Used Becker 2013 Self-Study & NINJA 10pt Combo Lite(AUD)

[Anonymous]

If the first change is free, switch to self study and you'll be all set. You'll still have the Becker materials without having to actually go to class (or stay on the class's schedule).

[Anonymous]

I bought the Becker material and signed up for the live classes as well. After 2 9 hour Saturdays of showing up and the teacher pushing play on the lectures that I had available to me at home I bowed out. Decided to do what others have said and just go at my own pace. Unfortunately I wasn't wise enough to switch over to the actual self study format so I don't really have any guarantee from the “Becker promise”.

My software expires on July 17th. I'm scheduling FAR for August 10th and hoping they will work with me and extend my software date out a couple of weeks. I'm making sure I get through all of the lectures and notes before it expires in case they won't extend it. If it expires at least I'll have the book/notes and I'll have to spend 80 bucks on the wiley test bank to take the place of the passmaster Becker software.

The 18 month lease on the software kind of sucks – I wish what you bought stayed good for however long you needed it but you just paid for any updates to the material after 18 months.

[IwannaBaCPA]

Adamdenton1 – I was in a similar situation and asked for a 90 day extension from Becker last year (which allowed me to even have the software for 1 retake). It was easily granted. They said something like they offer a one time extension of up to 90 days I believe. Ask for the full 90 days so you don't have to rush.

Good luck!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Iwanna! Very helpful to know, and honestly nice of Becker to grant the extension in my opinion.

[Author]

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