[theunexperienced]

So I got my Bachelor’s in Accounting in 2009. From there, I started working for an undisclosed cell phone company (hint: it rhymes with horizon ;-D) in sales only because I failed to secure an internship before graduating. Eventually in 2013, I figured that I was spinning my wheels….Im making good money in my current job but I felt unfulfilled. So I decided to pursue my CPA certification in an attempt to eventually secure a long term career goal of working in internal audit or forensic accounting. I wanted to get my 150 credits out of the way first, so I decided to go with my Macc. Now I have finally started to go after this. Is anybody in the same type of situation….studying for this exam with ZERO experience?

FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
REG - 80 (6/10/16)
BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

[marqzho]

I graduated in 2009. Have no public accounting experience and am half way through the exam. Will have my 150 credit this Sept 🙂

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[theunexperienced]

Marqzho, excellent! Glad to know I'm not alone!

FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
REG - 80 (6/10/16)
BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

[REG-FTW86]

Yup, I'm right there with you. That's what makes it tough. After I pass this exam I don't get to celebrate my CPA designation. I get to either (a) try to get into a job to get the experience or (b) continue my current route.

Regulation For The Win!

FAR 57, 62, 77
BEC 70,77
AUD 54,78
REG 66, 62, 7/29

FAR.BEC.AUD.AUD.BEC.FAR.FAR.REG.REG

Roger CPA Review / Ninja MCQ Supplement

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - Thomas Edison

[Anonymous]

@theunexperienced – Like you, I also have my masters in accounting…and I have very little real-life accounting experience. That's why I am most worried about taking FAR, which is my last section. I see you passed FAR already. Way to go!! Any suggestions for me? I saved it for last since I figured I'd struggle the most with it due to lack of experience. I passed the other three sections on my first attempt though, so it's definitely possible to pass without an accounting background!

[theunexperienced]

@ASUalum I basically will say this…I'm a big proponent of Jeff's NINJA method. Start out with your lectures to get a general understanding of what's going on. You'll be a little lost at first and will think it's impossible to keep up! Take copious amounts of notes….they will help you in the review stage immensely. The MCQ is huge…I did over 3500 in my preparation and it really didn't start sinking in until the very end. I took notes on my missed questions…that helped a bunch. Then, when it was time to rewrite my notes, things really started coming together. Things that made no sense or seemed like they had little to no value started standing out. Things started clicking…it was such a good feeling. Also, do some SIMS to get a feel for the environment of it. I didn't see any SIMS on the actual exam that were identical to what I studied, but the format was familiar enough to where I wasn't panicking (a whole lot, anyway). Lastly, find out how you learn best. I noticed that I tend to remember things that are associated with pictures, symbols, charts, and mnemonics…there were things that I learned instantly just by writing the chart or picture (writing out the bond amortization tables repeatedly, for example). There's my advice!

FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
REG - 80 (6/10/16)
BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing! I started studying for FAR last week and I already feel lost…but the things you said give me some hope! You will find that doing ridiculous amounts of MCQs helps for the other exams too. I did a few thousand for each section, and that's pretty much the main reason I was able to pass each one. Good luck on the rest of your exams! 🙂

[theunexperienced]

Thanks! I'm studying AUD right now and there's significantly less charts and pictures and stuff. It's hard for me to remember a good chunk of it. I'm trending a 45% right now in audit procedures and evidence in NINJA MCQ right now. It sucks.

FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
REG - 80 (6/10/16)
BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

[MaLoTu]

I switched over to accounting from teaching. I will begin working in public accounting in September. I might be 3/4 of the way done with the exam (score wasn't released today). I feel like it was a little of a disadvantage, but as long as you can learn you can pass the exams.

[Author]

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