[Anonymous]

It’s subjective to answer whether any other certifications are tougher to get than the CPA. Therefore, I wanted to open a new type of thread.

For people with other certifications (e.g., CFA, CMA, etc.), please list:

1. The certification you’re referring to (e.g., CPA)

2. Number of exam sections (e.g., 4 – REG, FAR, AUD, BEC)

3. Resource(s) used to study (e.g., Becker, Ninja)

4. Number of MCQs required to study each part (e.g., REG – 1,000; FAR – 1,500; etc.) <– DO NOT NEGLECT*

5. Amount of time you used to prepare each part (e.g., REG – 200 hours; FAR – 300 hours; etc.)

*NOTE: Primarily, I think answering #4 would be most valuable as most people eventually learn to gauge their study time based on the number of MCQs (as a result of studying for the CPA exam–that is, I average 20-25 MCQs per hour)

I think this thread would be helpful to anyone interested in other certifications other than the CPA exam, or possibly after the CPA exam.

[rshaf]

1.) Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

2.) 4 Sections- 2 Days Long (At least when I took it in 2007)

3.) Resource used for Studying was Gleim

4.) I think each part had approximately 300-400 MC's to study from and a book

5.) I spent a solid 2-3 weeks studying for each part.

Overall, it was not as difficult as the CPA Exam, however, it's still tricky if you don't study at all. I generally needed 5-6 weeks to stuyding for each part of the CPA exam. I am waiting for my last score on the CPA exam.

BEC- 76 (08/10)

AUD- 85 (11/10)

REG- 71 (02/11), 81 (04/11)

FAR- 73 (05/11), 74 (08/11), TBD (11/11)

BEC- 76 (08/10)- PASS
AUD- 85 (11/10)- PASS
REG- 71 (02/11), 81 (04/11)- PASS
FAR- 73 (05/11), 74 (08/11), 79 (11/11)- PASS

[Sdb2fsu]

1) Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

2) One Test about 10 hours (2.6 hours each sections-Prevention, Transactions, Investigations, & Legal Elements)

*although I don't remember it take nearly that long back in 2007.

3) Association provides the Test Prep material (ACFE)

4) 1500 MCQ Total (yep total)

5) I studied the Prep Material; thus, all parts for about a month

I believe it is the easiest Certification to get; however, you do have to do all the MCQ in the test prep to pass. 1500 MCQ is a joke considering what we have to do for the CPA exam. The CPA exam is a lot harder for sure.

I believe the FBI, CIA, and other policing authorities are recognizing the distinction now.

BEC - 60, 71, 79
AUD - 73, 66, 87!!!!! Yes! I am done!
REG - 74, 76
FAR - 75

Yaeger Review for all except my last AUD score (Roger)!

[Author]

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