[jeff]

This thread is for people who have completed all four parts of the CPA Exam and want to tell their story and/or impart some encouragement/wisdom to those that are still striving to earn their certificate.

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Only postings from people who have passed all four parts of the CPA Exam, please.n

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Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[whitesoxfancpa]

I am posting this message to show my true feelings. If I offend anybody, especially in #6 and #7, I apologize. This is strictly my opinion and if you don't agree, simply ignore me and continue on with your studies.

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I passed all four parts on the first try by doing a few things and doing them right:

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1. Coming up with a plan and timeline, starting with deciding to sit for the CPA exam all the way through taking my last exam. Before I ever ordered a single study book or filled out an application, I knew the exact date I'd be taking my last exam. You NEED to have a plan. Don't do like some people do and lollygag on the review, or take two in a row, then put off the exam, etc. Do your review and then take the corresponding exam part. If you wait several weeks, you'll forget what you need to know.

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2. Sticking to my study plan. I had a semi-detailed study plan that I stuck to 100%, no exceptions. Yes, some cushion was worked in and I skipped days, but as long as I had enough cushion to do so, I still technically stuck to my plan. On a couple Friday nights I decided to go get drunk instead of studying. As long as it was in my plan that I could afford to skip a Friday night, I allowed myself to do so.

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3. Using Becker and nothing else. I think a lot of people mix review programs too much and either get overwhelmed or get confused. Each review course probably has their certain quirks and mnemonics. By using one review course, it allowed me to stay focused and on track. I don't think working hundreds of other questions in other review courses is necessary or worthwhile at all. Each course has hundreds of questions. You're unlikely to gain much benefit from doing another 500 from another review program. Just stick to one program and do it RIGHT.

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4. I did each question 4-5 times each, AT LEAST. There is no substitute for working multiple choice questions.

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5. READ the book. Lectures are fine, but something could be said for READING. Read the book. Don't worry about memorizing things or mnemonics while you're reading. Save that for skimming later. When you're reading, just read it through completely and you'll be surprised at how much you'll learn.

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6. Don't treat the process like it's such a daunting task. It's not. I always get a kick out of the people who are more scared over these exams than an innocent guy facing a murder trial would be on sentencing day. They're just accounting tests! The people who talk about how they pray, how they have their superstitions, how having people to relate to makes them feel better…come on! Just read, work questions, and take the damn tests and you'll pass. Anything else is a waste of time and/or energy. God or eating pizza the night before an exam won't help you. Quality study time will.

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7. In my experience, the anticipation before I ever began studying was much worse than any studying ever was. I had read so many horror stories about how difficult the exam was, how people were up studying til 3 a.m. and how mentally exhausting the process is. Let me tell you, the studying was the easy part. The dread leading up to beginning to study was the worst. I thought I was entering the worst time of my life. In fact, all I was entering was a period where I'd have to study from 8-10:30 each night and spend a good chunk of my Saturday and Sundays studying. It sucks, sure, but it's not NEARLY as bad as I've seen it made out to be.n

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AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[jeff]

This thread is for people who have completed all four parts of the CPA Exam and want to tell their story and/or impart some encouragement/wisdom to those that are still striving to earn their certificate.

Only postings from people who have passed all four parts of the CPA Exam, please.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Schus]

I graduated in May 09 and had a job offer from one of the 10 big firms (not a big 4) but my offer got pushed back because of the economy. Luckily that gave me enough time to study and complete all the exam in 6 months. I did some temp work in there while studying and I have to say, those people who have full time jobs and other commitments (kids, marrages, etc) my hat goes off to you. I had to work and study for only a few weeks and I pretty much couldn't do anything else.

Not having a job isn't a good thing, but especially if you're studying there can be some positives. Like taking all the exams in 6 months and I'm relieved that I don't have to worry about it and its the best xmas gift ever. If you don't pass an exam, try not to get discouraged

AUD 81 - BEC 89 - FAR 82 - REG 86

[tallmang]

I passed the exam! I got lucky and have a job that let me study all day long during the slow time and also have a boyfriend that did all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and babysitting for the past six months. Thank god for him! Even so, it wasn't easy and here are my suggestions:

1) Come up with a study plan and stick to it! Personally, I got really elaborate with Excel and had a spreadsheet that tracked the number of days remaining until I took my exam, the total number of hours needed to finish all the lectures, reading, homework, review, etc., the total number of hours I studied so far, the average amount of time it took to complete the lectures and the homework, and on and on. Basically, I got obsessive and couldn't function without the thing. I'm not recommending doing that. But what's important is that you come up with a schedule and do your best to stick to it. I shot for the high range when I was estimating the time it would take to complete things, that way, when I did them in less time, I felt good. I didn't get anywhere near the total number of hours I had originally planned, but because I over-shot, the number I did study was plenty.

2) Do as many homework questions as possible. I did all the Becker questions once the first time through and again during my review. I re-did any I got wrong. Then I did the recently released questions (VERY helpful). For BEC, I also did the CPAReviewforFree questions (medium helpfulness, some questions were poorly written, some answers were just wrong), and all the Wiley questions (also medium helpfulness, lots of typos and some answers wrong also).

3) Hear or read the material in as many different ways as possible. In addition to my Becker lectures and book, I also listened to either the Gleim audio CDs (REG, AUD, BEC) or the Yaeger MP3 (FAR) while I was driving or walking to work, working out, sometimes even while at work. I also had the Gleim books on hand and sometimes looked up info in them. The different perspectives or ways of explaining things will really sink a concept into your mind.

So that's how I passed the CPA exam on the first try. Yay!

[tyra828]

I have been with one of the Big 4 firms for over 5 years. During 3 of those years I have been trying to pass the CPA exam. However, it always seem like I was put on a client where our busy season lasted 9 of 12 months. That gave me very little time to study. Not to mention I am married with a child (who is 8) and my military husband (who is overseas as I type) has been deployed multiple times. Over the course of the 3 years, I have passed all 4 parts but not within the required timeframe. On Aug 27, 2008 I sat for and passed BEC and around the same time lost AUD and shortly after that FAR (even after my request was granted from my state BOA for a 30 day extension). I was about to give up. However, with the encouragement from my husband and advice from my mentor, I decided to take drastic measures. I took off work for two months (Dec & Jan) using up my leave in one month and taking a leave of absence for the other.

When I returned to work on Feb 2009 I took AUD & REG that month and passed. That left 1 exam; the dreaded FAR. I figured I had time to take a break from the exam since my BEC wouldn't expire until Feb 2010 and my daughter wanted to be involved in more activities besides Girl Scouts. Not to mentioned I made a transfer from Audit to Advisory hoping that it would give me more time to study… I was wrong. In June I got an email from my job encouraging employees to take a sabbatical….I didn't hesitate….I took off the month of August to take FAR and got a 74 ugggggh! Then I took it again Oct 27 and just found out on Dec 22 that I passed FAR, my last part yippeee.

So I know how it feels to want to throw in the towel. However, it’s not just about having positive people in my life to push me at those times and taking advantage of my company's time off policies…it's about me having a goal and wanting to accomplish it and not giving up until I did just that.

Good luck to you all and keep pushing towards you goal.

AUD(80 lost) 76, BEC 81, REG 81, FAR (76 lost), 74, 78

[wiggy]

Tyra828-

Can you tell me how you went about getting a 30 day extension for FAR

Thanks

[tyra828]

Wiggy – I sent an email to my State's BOA requesting the extension. I also sent them documentation to support my request. For example, I was working very long hours over an extended period of time and I sent them copies of my timesheets along with my plan on taking the rest of the exam.

Hope this helps.

AUD(80 lost) 76, BEC 81, REG 81, FAR (76 lost), 74, 78

[StudyGirl]

If I could do it differently, I would… but this is how my story went…

I applied to take the exam in Jan 2008, right after completing my Bachelor's degree in Accounting. I was working at a small firm for a few months during tax season while waiting for my start date at a Big 4 in July. I took Audit in May 2008 – like a blind puppy – I went to the class, then gave myself a weekend to cram… and then just took it. Like it was nothing. I had never heard the horror stories, I had never seen the blogs and I had no idea when I would get my score. I would check the NASBA site about once a week because I seriously just had no idea what was going on. One afternoon I clicked and it said “75”. I was on the phone with my mom and told her I failed. I had read that little booklet and remembered that 75 was significant… but I thought it was “75 or below is failing”… haha I started questioning myself and looked it up. “HOLY COW. I PASSED ONE.” I started with the firm a week or so later and used my 2 weeks at training in Virginia to shut myself in my hotel room every night and cram for Reg. I took it a week after training and … whew! 79. I had hoped for higher since taxes were “my thing”… but whatever. I was happy as a clam.

Here's where it went bad…. I had already been engaged since May 2007 and was slowly in the process of planning my wedding. I also realized my husband and I needed a place to live when we did finally tie the knot (we were both living with our parents). We started house hunting in September 2008… and by the way… this was also the first time I started to slowly lose my soul to corporate tax busy season at a Big 4 and my life was consumed with late nights and weekends at the office and any spare second used to figure out house issues – my husband and I are super thrify and all about “do-it-yourself” so we had no realtor OR lawyer… haha… I'm a “smart cookie” so I can figure it out… good Lord. For future reference… PAY SOMEONE TO DO IT. Jut to eliminate the massive headaches. But…we got the price down on the house because no realtor was involved and we found it for sale by an owner… and after 2 months of negotiations, inspections, and lots of papers…. we settled on our house on December 24th, 2008. In the meantime… I had scheduled a FAR exam… but hadn't had a moment to study. Life took over. 33. ouch. Eh, that doesn't even count because I just clicked random buttons…. right??

After we bought the house it seemed like the wedding was just around the corner… May 23rd. I also got assigned to a new project at work which ended up requiring that we work a minimum of 6 days per week and at least 12 hours per day from the end of Jan to March. I had rescheduled my FAR exam for this time and BEC also…. again, never had a chance to study FAR… but somehow got in the 50s this time… I put in 3 days of studying for BEC and tested in April… 72. Ah! SO close! In the meantime, I continued to plan my “do-it-yourself” wedding. An outdoor tent reception at my parent's farm for our 200 closest friends and family. I was pinching pennies so I ordered flowers from a wholesale site and made them myself, and my mother and I made EVERY other detail as well… you name it… programs, placecards, all bows and decorative arrangements… and it turned out BEAUTIFUL. Every detail so perfect and so personal… and so much WORK. Needless to say…. my last 2 exams were on the back burner again.

I started studying (for real) again in June. A couple minor blips in my study schedule, but pretty much kept to it. I studied until the 2nd week of August when I seriously sat for my FAR exam. SO much PRESSURE! (take note… my 18 month window runs out in November!) I took BEC 2 weeks later after putting 5 days into it this time… hey, I got a 72 with 3 days… 2 more days should suffice. I waited on my scores…. BEC = 75 WHEW!!!! close call. FAR = 72. Ahhh.. another one?? I had one more chance to take this one otherwise I would lose Audit and then have only the month of January 2010 to pass both FAR and audit (again) before I lose REG. The pressure was on… I studied through my October busy season and my quarterly audit clients and sat for the exam the day before Thanksgiving. I was a nervous wreck and stalked this website (by the way… I discovered this website back in January 2009 when I was studying for FAR and BEC) until December 22 when my score finally came out. 80. wow. so this is what it feels like. I truly felt numb and shocked and a million other emotions that I can't put into words… wow.

so now what? I have my house…. check.

I'm married…. check.

Exams are DONE…. check.

and now… Christmas is done… check.

For the first time in almost 2 years, I watched TV last night without feeling guilty that I should be doing something else.

Today, I filled out my FAFSA. Back to school on Jan 11th to finish my Masters in Tax. Apparently… I need the stress. haha.

Good luck to all… It will happen for you eventually and it WILL be worth it.

AUD - 75; REG - 79; BEC - 72,75; FAR - 72,80 - DONE!!! THANK THE LORD!!!!

[Anonymous]

Tyra828 and StudyGirl, I really enjoyed reading your stories. Inspiring…

Hope to post a story here in February:-)

[hogcpa]

I just got my scores back and I am done with the exam. I wish I had an interesting story to tell like Tyra828 and StudyGirl. Good luck to all of you who passed.

BEC – 84

REG – 91

FAR – 91

AUD -95

[Anonymous]

I'm finally done! The mailman delivered the much anticipated envelope with “congratulations” printed on the outside at noon today. All I could do was cry. As much as I wanted to believe that this day would come, I just wasn't confident with my performance on the FAR exam in October. I cut it close. But a pass is a pass, and I'll take it. =)

I've been working on passing this exam for two years. I used Becker, Wiley, and ExamMatrix, all with varying degrees of success. I passed three sections, lost two due to the 18-month rule, and found myself with only a REG score that still counted for anything in July of 2009. It was at that moment that I got serious and told myself it was time to get this exam done forever.

I enrolled in the live Lambers review course in Greensboro, NC. The class was held every Saturday for eight hours – 3 weeks for BEC, 3 weeeks for AUD, and 7 weeks for FAR. I cannot say enough good things about the program and the instructors. For me, it helped tremendously to be in a live classroom with a human being teaching the concepts and answering questions. Finally, things were clicking. I passed BEC and AUD with flying colors. Then it was time to face the one section that I had not yet passed – FAR. I studied more for that last exam that I have ever studied in my life. I did thousands of multiple choice questions, made flashcards, and went over the tough spots again and again. I holed myself up in the university library and frequented the local coffee shop. I did not do housework for two months – thank goodness my husband didn't mind picking up the slack. I told myself that the time spent away from my 3 year old daughter would be made up in short order. Then I took the exam and waited 9 weeks for the results. In the end, it was worth it.

I'm not saying that how I did things was “normal” or the right way to pass the exam. However, what I can tell everyone is that in order to pass, you have to make up your mind that this is something you want. You cannot do this for your firm, your friends, or your parents. You have to do this for YOU and whoever makes you the person that you are (in my case, husband and little girl). Find a review program that works for you, and don't be afraid to try a couple. In the end, the money spent will be less than the price of re-application fees with your state board. Then study your tail off and make it happen. If I can do this, anybody can.

As accountants, I think that we are all our biggest critics. That's just our personalities. Just do your best, be persistent, and be realistic about your study schedule and timeframe for passing. You too will pass this exam!!

[gmb]

Hopeful_in_NC,

I just got my “Congratulations” from the NC State Board today. Such a good feeling, especially after I was completely convinced that I had failed REG. I have no idea how they score this exam but they were VERY generous with this past window. It just goes to show you, you never know what you are going to get with these exams.

FAR-88, AUD-94, BEC-87, REG-90

[wiggy]

Jeff-

If you would like to know my story on passing the exam I would like to email it to you. After 21 tries in 4 years I have finally passed all four parts within the 18 month period. Think it could be an inspiration to anyone who has struggled with it 5, 10, 15, or 20 times. Nothing is impossible when you keep your faith in God and keep trying hard

[jeff]

Wiggy – that would be great! Include a pic if you would like.

jeff@another71.com

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

I finished my master's in June 2009 and started studying for AUD about 2 weeks later. Since my start date with the Big 4 was pushed back to December, I decided to focus on the exam all summer instead of trying to find a part-time job. I mostly studied Monday-Friday, and did whatever I felt like on the weekends to maintain some sort of sanity. I took AUD at the end of July while on vacation in FL and ended up passing (84). I was so happy because I was the most afraid of AUD since it was not my favorite subject (I'm a tax junkie).

I began studying for FAR about a week after taking AUD, but since I had to finish it by the end of August or risk my NTS expiring, I only had 3 weeks to prepare. Though I ended up passing with a 78, I would not recommend this method to anyone! I managed to watch the Becker lectures for F1-F5 and did the MCQ for the remaining lectures over and over again. Thankfully, I had taken 2 Govt/NPO Accounting classes in school so I was familiar with the material in F8 & F9. I walked out of the exam feeling like I definitely failed but was overjoyed when I didn't.

I took another week off before I began studying for REG. I gave myself about 4 weeks to study for REG and did well getting through all of the tax info, but the business law sections were brutal. Once again, I really focused on the MCQ and tried to do as many practice & simulation exams as possible. I took the exam the 1st week of October and passed with a 79.

After one last week of freedom and doing my apartment search in VA, I settled down for the last 5 lectures of BEC. BEC was nice & brutal at the same time. I loved not having to worry about simulations but the cost accounting & financial aspects of the exam proved to be challenging. Add the fact that I knew I passed half the exam & was awaiting to hear my REG score, I was hit with a type of panic resembling the anxiety of my first exam & senioritis! I managed to get through the lectures and took BEC the Friday before Thanksgiving. I moved to VA, started working with my Big 4 firm, & found out on the Thursday of my 1st week that I was done: I passed BEC with a 78!!

As I look back on the past 6 months of my life, my advice would be the following:

1. Set a study plan & stick with it. I didn't follow the plan given in the Becker books. I formulated a plan based on the way I learn & retain information. I deviated at times, but for the most part, I was able to stick to the plan.

2. Study everything in units. If you have the Becker self-study CDs, I found it a lot easier to retain info if I watched a section of the lecture & then immediately did the corresponding homework for that section. I did not retain information if I watched the entire lecture & then went back and did all of the homework at once.

3. Always designate at least 1 day a week where you aren't studying or even thinking about studying. Your brain, sanity, and loved ones will thank you for this. Go to a movie, hang out with friends, sleep, etc. Do anything that doesn't remind you of the CPA exam.

4. Pray/meditate. If you are not into prayer, take a few moments each day to reflect and calm your mind. Have faith in yourself and your abilities. When you start doubting yourself, remember all of the topics that you have already mastered.

Good luck to all of you who haven't completed your exams & congratulations to everyone who is saying “Adios!!” to this exam!

[Author]

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