[jalper2]

Hello all,

I will be finishing my undergrad this semester and plan on taking the CPA exam next year. I haven’t taken Advanced Financial Accounting and Governmental Nonprofit Accounting in my college. My question is, how hard is it to pass FARs without taking these classes? Would just taking a CPA review be good enough to help me pass? I talked to my adviser at school and he said I should stay an extra semester and take these 2 classes. He said because CPA review materials are used for “review” only and I should take the class and then review for it. Has anyone taken FARs without taking these classes? How hard was it learning the concepts?

I do not want to stay in school another semester and would like to start working FT and take the CPA as soon as after graduation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[MrsBing]

As long as you have a basic understanding of accounting through the introductory classes, I don't think you need any of those classes. I didn't receive my bachelors in accounting and obtained my masters 4 years ago, so I don't remember anything I learned in my college classes. I don't even think I took a government class, there was just a chapter or two in my advanced class and again I don't remember any of that.

If you get a good review course they will teach you everything you need to know. Maybe suppliment with Ninja and an additional test bank like Wiley to get addtional review questions.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[MrsBing]

As long as you have a basic understanding of accounting through the introductory classes, I don't think you need any of those classes. I didn't receive my bachelors in accounting and obtained my masters 4 years ago, so I don't remember anything I learned in my college classes. I don't even think I took a government class, there was just a chapter or two in my advanced class and again I don't remember any of that.

If you get a good review course they will teach you everything you need to know. Maybe suppliment with Ninja and an additional test bank like Wiley to get addtional review questions.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[Anonymous]

Hi jalper2- I have friends that did not take non-profit/governmental accounting classes and they passed all four exams. I did not use much of my advanced accounting material in FAR. The only topic that may be an issue would be consolidating the financial statements of multiple entities, but that should be covered in your review course.

If you are concerned, you may be able to take accounting classes at your local community college. That's how I took non-profit/governmental and cost accounting. I would not stick around an extra semester for those classes.

The more comprehensive review sets like Becker do an excellent job of preparing you beyond just a review. They cover the material as if you have not seen it before (which is great for those of us that took intermediate accounting long ago). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi jalper2- I have friends that did not take non-profit/governmental accounting classes and they passed all four exams. I did not use much of my advanced accounting material in FAR. The only topic that may be an issue would be consolidating the financial statements of multiple entities, but that should be covered in your review course.

If you are concerned, you may be able to take accounting classes at your local community college. That's how I took non-profit/governmental and cost accounting. I would not stick around an extra semester for those classes.

The more comprehensive review sets like Becker do an excellent job of preparing you beyond just a review. They cover the material as if you have not seen it before (which is great for those of us that took intermediate accounting long ago). Good luck!

[tough_kitty]

I took both – advanced acct and governmental acct classes but honestly, despite getting an A in both, I didn't remember much 2 years later. Besides, govt acct textbook and instructor were terrible and I thought govt acct was really hard and complicated.

Then I studied for FAR with Roger CPA review. He explained govt acct in his 4 hour long lecture and I was thinking to myself – wow, it's that easy?!?

As far as consolidations, this topic is more advanced and it may show up on the exam but I don't think the cost/benefit is there if you consider taking advanced acct class.

So, I'd recommend Roger CPA review instead of taking additional classes.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I took both – advanced acct and governmental acct classes but honestly, despite getting an A in both, I didn't remember much 2 years later. Besides, govt acct textbook and instructor were terrible and I thought govt acct was really hard and complicated.

Then I studied for FAR with Roger CPA review. He explained govt acct in his 4 hour long lecture and I was thinking to myself – wow, it's that easy?!?

As far as consolidations, this topic is more advanced and it may show up on the exam but I don't think the cost/benefit is there if you consider taking advanced acct class.

So, I'd recommend Roger CPA review instead of taking additional classes.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I took a generic “Advanced Accounting” and didn't truly understand any of the material – that's the one accounting class that I actually thought I'd fail and that it's a miracle I made it through. 😛 Others I might've struggled, but that's the one I almost gave up halfway through because I didn't think I'd pass! And…I never took G&NFP, though it was touched on in the Advanced Accounting. I passed FAR first try (and BEC and AUD – still waiting to take REG). So, you don't have to have taken the classes, just have to have a review course that will teach it well enough for you to learn it! I used the Wiley books, which are used by Roger CPA Review as well…so if tough_kitty says Roger's presentation of these topics is really good, then I'll second tough_kitty's recommendation, cause I know that the Wiley supplement is enough, too. 😉 Between the 2, you'd have 2 different ways to learn the same topic, and I'm sure you'd get it! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I took a generic “Advanced Accounting” and didn't truly understand any of the material – that's the one accounting class that I actually thought I'd fail and that it's a miracle I made it through. 😛 Others I might've struggled, but that's the one I almost gave up halfway through because I didn't think I'd pass! And…I never took G&NFP, though it was touched on in the Advanced Accounting. I passed FAR first try (and BEC and AUD – still waiting to take REG). So, you don't have to have taken the classes, just have to have a review course that will teach it well enough for you to learn it! I used the Wiley books, which are used by Roger CPA Review as well…so if tough_kitty says Roger's presentation of these topics is really good, then I'll second tough_kitty's recommendation, cause I know that the Wiley supplement is enough, too. 😉 Between the 2, you'd have 2 different ways to learn the same topic, and I'm sure you'd get it! 🙂

[acamp]

I never took cost accounting or government accounting, I kept this in mind and Google'd the topics to get a better understanding of them (at the time I had to Big4 offer, and was studying on a budget–Wiley Testbank & Ninja notes only LOL). That said I always did really well in financial accounting through advanced accounting, so my strong areas may have carried me?

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I never took cost accounting or government accounting, I kept this in mind and Google'd the topics to get a better understanding of them (at the time I had to Big4 offer, and was studying on a budget–Wiley Testbank & Ninja notes only LOL). That said I always did really well in financial accounting through advanced accounting, so my strong areas may have carried me?

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Oh… look at that, pulled my score, scored Weaker in MCQs in the Governmental section, HAHA

Perfect timing for score release though, I was interviewing with EY and got my score that morning, was nice being able to update my resume with each interviewer. “oh, by the way, can you update my resume to say passed FAR… found out I passed this morning!” Was a GREAT ice breaker LOL

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Oh… look at that, pulled my score, scored Weaker in MCQs in the Governmental section, HAHA

Perfect timing for score release though, I was interviewing with EY and got my score that morning, was nice being able to update my resume with each interviewer. “oh, by the way, can you update my resume to say passed FAR… found out I passed this morning!” Was a GREAT ice breaker LOL

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

This is a total guess, but I'd assume the majority of exam candidates haven't taken a class on these subjects. Even with a good review course this stuff is tough, but I think you'll be fine! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

This is a total guess, but I'd assume the majority of exam candidates haven't taken a class on these subjects. Even with a good review course this stuff is tough, but I think you'll be fine! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I took Advanced Accounting at my school and didn't learn much. Never took Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting but I do think that the CPA materials prepare you sufficiently enough in order to pass the test.

I passed FAR with a 76 (Becker & Wiley Test Bank)

[Author]

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