[Keely]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been reading these boards for a few months now, and as I prepare to graduate (in less than three weeks!), I am just looking for some advice on a few issues.

My number one question is regarding the 150 hour requirement. I went to several different colleges, and I accumulated A LOT of credit hours. In fact, I think I have 150 hours of undergrad coursework. However, I have so many transcripts and transferred courses, even for me it’s impossible to tell whether I really do or not, without going over each class individually (something I don’t have time for at the moment). My question is, how will it be determined whether I have the 150 hours or not? Who determines it? I’m taking the exam and getting my license in Texas. Maybe I’m being anal, but I just feel like there is room for error when someone is looking over 6 different transcripts and is unfamiliar with the course names. Can anyone give me an explanation about how this works?

And lastly, is there any suggestion as to which part of the exam to take first? I know it boils down to personal preference, but I’ve done quite well in my Auditing, Systems, Business Law, NFP and Cost Accounting classes. I have all but forgotten my Intermediate knowledge, and have struggled in Tax to even remain interested in the class. Some people say take the one you feel will be most difficult, and one of my professors says to take the one you’re most confident with.

I am going to get the Becker Review course and go with that. Thanks for the replies!

Keely

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[ledgermaven]

Good job in thinking ahead. I chose to take FAR first because it has so much material and I wanted the 18 month clock to start ticking after the hardest one was down.

The state board of accountancy decides if you have enough credits. I have transcripts from three schools and although Wa state board of accountancy does not officially tell you if you have enough or so, I got someone to help me go over it and they said it was complete. Mostly you have to just file for your NTS and see if it works. A friend appealed when they said she needed 15 more credits in business (she had a masters in tax law) and they relented. If you are reliably a couple of months from taking the test, go ahead and try.

[mla1169]

Congrats on almost being done! I finish my Masters classes in 2 weeks and know how exciting it is to finally see the finish line.

Gather all of your transcripts and send them in. I wouldn't even bother trying to make heads or tails of them on my own, let them tell you what they think.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[KasiaS]

If I could do it again I'd take REG first, then FAR and finish off with AUD & BEC.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on graduating!

I also graduated at the end of the Fall semester, and then did Financial, Audit, Regulations and Business in that order, and thought it was pretty good…although have to take BEC again.

But it depends on what you're most familiar with. I had just completed an Advanced Accounting course and Auditing course, so I wanted to take FAR and AUD first. From what you wrote, it may be better to take one of the other exams first, like REG.

[MyLifeisCPA]

I agree with KasiaS!!!! I would definitely take it in that order.

As for as Texas State Board of Accountancy, they will decide if you have enough credits and for me they were pretty good at letting me know when i did not have enough of the accounting hours and where in my city I could take classes. For the most part, i think the Qualification Team is really prompt on responding to emails and phone calls. I also had several transcripts. I like to be able to talk to someone on the phone so that I could clearly get my question across and they were definitely able to answer them all. Congrats on finishing school and Good Luck on the coming CPA Exams!!

BEC-Passed
AUD-Passed
REG-Passed
FAR-Passed (I AM DONE!!! THANK U LORD!!!!)
Licensed Texas CPA - 10/2012

[Anonymous]

duplicate post…

[Anonymous]

Keely,

Are you working yet or CPA is going to be your full time job?

If you are not working yet I would suggest to take 4-6 months off and kill the monster. You are already in studying mode anyway. Work for big 4 for 1 yr and you got it. It's more difficult to study when you are working full time.

That's my 7 cents:)

[Anonymous]

As what to take first, based on your description I would try this way: REG, FAR, BEC, AUD.

That's another 3 cents. Now you have a dime! Good luck

[Keely]

Thank you for all the responses! I'm so glad I found these boards.

I am not currently working, so originally, my plan was to do just what someone above suggested: take about 6 months, study all day every day, and just be DONE. However, I read into the TX requirements, and unless I am reading it wrong…I have to have the 150 hours + an Ethics course before I even take the exam?! I have been under the impression that I could take the exam prior to completing these requirements, but I couldn't get my license until I'd done these things. In fact, I think that's the way it is in Virginia (where I'm from and am in school), and I'm pretty sure they don't require the ethics course. Don't quote me on that, but that was my understanding. What about reciprocity? If I get my license in VA would TX still make me fulfill their requirements? It's all so overwhelming…

I think my first course of action is to enroll in an ethics course, and just submit all my transcripts and see what they say. I am definitely in ‘study mode' and want to get this out of the way ASAP. I talked to a girl who is trying to study while she works full-time and has a husband and two kids. Right now I don't have any of those things, so I'd like to get this going NOW.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[pinkshel]

TX is particular about the ethics course. It must be an accounting ethics course, and you must have completed it before you can take any exam (in addition to having all the other accounting credits). I think your plan of action sounds good.

BEC - 77 (lost credit)
AUD - 65
FAR - 76
REG - 64,64,68,73

[mandy8041]

I live in TX and was able to take just business ethics (opted not to take Accounting ethics because it was not offered at a good time for me) and the board accepted it. I know they wont take online summer courses for my college, but they do allow regular business ethics. This link will take you to the list of approved ethics courses

https://www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/exam-qualification/education-ethics-courses.html

As far as the 150 goes, yes you must satisfy that before you are able to sit for the exam. Send in your application of intent with all of your transcripts and they will get back with you in a few weeks as to what you are missing, if anything. Even if you have not taken the ethics course, you can still send in what you have and they will reply with what your are missing. They are extremely helpful.

FYI- your plan is good get it out of the way. I am working full time, married, 2 kids and it would have definitely been easier without all the distractions.

FAR- 75
REG- 82
BEC- 73, 79!! Its over. Am I dreaming?
AUD- 74, 74, 88

[Author]

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