[Anonymous]

I passed BEC, retook AUD last 2 weeks ago (hoping I passed) and just signed up for FAR as well as ordering Becker which I”ll get either Wed or Thurs probably.

My question is, I recently began my first full time job at a top (non big 4) accounting firm in New York City. The job entails however, me going to bed at 12:30 and waking up at 6:30 and then only getting home, hungry for dinner at around 7:30 to 8:00 pm mon through thursday. I realize this is fairly typical, I’m not complaining just saying what I’ve begun to recently experience (as opposed to the other 2 sections I took with no job or responsibility at all during the summer after I graduated college)

How should I go about trying to get FAR done after a hard days work? How should I divide my hours up in order to most likely pass the first time?

I signed up to take FAR on Jan 4 right before my first busy season begins basically. So I should have plenty of time that I won’t have to cram.

Anyone have some advice? I’d appreciate it sincerely.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hah. I have the opposite track as you. Passed BEC working full time, took Audit and still waiting to here back. Quit a couple weeks back because I didn't want to stay there and now I'm studying FAR/REG full time till I get them done.

I'm up to about Chapter 4 in FAR, and I've got to say, its about 10x harder than Audit and BEC combined. BEC was tricky, and I hope I passed Audit, but this is like a whole other beast. I legit sit at home 7 hours and day and study, and it is still way more difficult than when I was working full time and studying only a few hours (if that) per night for BEC/Audit. I'm constantly going back to listen to lectures, reread what Olinto or Gearty said and it's still not really sticking yet. Having a test on one chapter would be hard, having all of them seems impossible right now.

My best advice would be to take REG while you're getting used to working full time, I've put in about 40 hours studying that and it didn't seem bad so I skipped to FAR. Then maybe after busy season tackle FAR, because it is not comparable to what you've already done at all.

[momto5]

Basically you study any time you are not working, eating, or sleeping! FAR was my first test and I was working full time. Because I was taking an actual prep class, I was required to answer every question until I got it right, work every practice SIM, work everything in the Final Review product, plus prepare both a presentation and a paper (I hated fitting that in). In total, I spent about 14 weeks on it, but could have done it in less time had I been able to skip a few things.

FAR can be overwhelming, and it will feel like you can't possibly retain all this information as you are going through it. But believe me, it all comes together at the end during your review time, if you leave enough time for that. Don't let yourself get bogged down on any one chapter, but keep yourself moving. If I had not had the class pushing me through, I probably would have gotten bogged down and I would STILL be studying FAR! lol At least it's not your first test and you sort of know what to expect come exam day (although time management is much more important for FAR than for AUD and BEC).

Seeing as you already ordered your material, I would stick with it. You have enough time and just have to be disciplined. Try to put in 2-3 hours every night after work and as much time as possible every weekend. If you have a commute, consider getting the NINJA audio. I am studying for REG now and am trying writing ALL of my notes directly onto flash cards so that I can take them with me and review when I can – less time than writing both notes AND flashcards. You can do this!! Just don't get discouraged and keep pressing forward! Good luck! And congrats on the job!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Anonymous]

I work full time for a CPA firm and have two kids. My mornings are shot trying to get my kids out the door and keeping my household to a minimum level of chaos. I squeeze an hour in a night after my kids go to bed and study all day Sat/Sun. I think FAR is overwhelming and I agree with banks94 on not doing FAR while you're trying to adjust to a new job. Basically you do what everyone else is doing. Squeeze it in any way you can. Good luck! Congrats on new job. I know a lot of people who are trying to get into a firm right now with no luck.

[mla1169]

You just do it. Study at lunch and during those hours from when you get home until you go to bed. I was working full time, going to school for my Masters and I have 2 kids when I did the exam. If you're home from work at 7pm you have several hours per night to study plus your weekends.

Its not fun to spend 9-10 hours at the office then come home and study for another 2 hours, but it can be done and its not permanent.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nimmle02]

If it's anything like where I work right now you may have some downtime until things start to really gear up for busy season. Everyone here is studying at work while they are unassigned. If that's the case where you are, take advantage of that time!!

REG - 5/21/2012 - 85
FAR - 7/24/2012 - 86
BEC - 8/27/2012 - 85
AUD - 10/5/2012 - 72....rematch 1/3/13 (waiting)

[Author]

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