[Anonymous]

So after some long thinking and some good advice from some fellow forum goers, I’ve decided to go on ahead and knock out the CPA. I was doing some research on the internet but some things aren’t all that clear to me. I get that to apply I send my transcripts to the state board I am sitting in, but do I apply for all at once or just one at a time? Also, should I wait to get a NTS to buy Becker and start studying? I would hate to drop 4k and get denied for whatever reason.

Off topic from my original post – I read someone say that a year or two in public accounting is more valuable then having your CPA license. Is this true? I’m currently in industry right now and I find my job really easy and stress free. Might be able to even study a bit while at work when it’s slow. I have some business connections that work in big 4 firms, if it was really that beneficial I could look into making the move.

Anyway sorry I post a lot of advice threads, I need to start contributing more and taking less. Regardless thank you for all your responses and helping a young lad like me figure out his career. 🙂

[jm962011]

Here is what I can answer. I can't give an opinion on the public accounting is more valuable than the actual CPA license. I think with two, you'd a star! But there are plenty of successful people with a CPA license that never had public experience.

Q: I get that to apply I send my transcripts to the state board I am sitting in, but do I apply for all at once or just one at a time? Also, should I wait to get a NTS to buy Becker and start studying? I would hate to drop 4k and get denied for whatever reason.

A: Only apply to all 4 if you can take all 4 in 6 months. Of course, applying for all 4 at once is less expensive but if you aren't ready for all 4 in 6 months, your NTS will expire and you'll have to pay more fees and get another. I think this method is what fresh graduates use if they graduate in May and start a job in September. They'll hit the studying hard all summer (8 hour days for 2-3 months) and try to take as many as they can before they start their new job.

The NTS process is pretty quick.. less than a week. It might take longer since you're a first time applicant. Also, when I first applied, I didn't realize I was a couple of credits short for 150. Once my rep at NASBA told me that, she issued my NTS once I showed her I was enrolled in a class to meet the credit hours. It might just depend from state to state.

If you do decide to go with Becker, the 18 month software clock doesn't start until you launch the software so you could put in your application, buy the software, wait to get your NTS, then launch the software.

Here is some food for thought: are you sure you want to go with Becker? I am not sure if you just graduated but a Becker rep came to one of my senior accounting classes and sold me. I dropped the 3k and was ready to hit the books. Turns out, Becker wasn't best for my learning style. I extremely recommend checking out some of the other providers… there is ton of YouTube videos for each. As you watch, just ask yourself, can I spend 5 hours a day watching this person? Following along with this person? For me, Becker was “highlight this, write this” in the book they provide. I don't learn like that so with Roger, I was able to watch his lectures and write my own notes because he used a white board. I am not in any way related to Roger or being paid to sell his product, I just think it is very important to know your learning style. It'll help prevent headaches down the road and hopefully allow you to get the best score possible.

[EverybodyswaitingfortheCPA]

jm962011 – “For me, Becker was “highlight this, write this” in the book they provide.” You nailed it.

Brett242 – As jm962011 stated, identify your learning style and do a little research before biting the bullet on a review course. I used Becker and went through the motions, highlighted the crap, watched the videos while day-dreaming, and pounded through questions; I was not very successful on my first passes through.

I supplemented Becker with NINJA review and loved NINJA's adaptive learning style; it hits you hard on stuff you don't know rather than just repeating the same old questions.

As far as the experience part you mentioned, my opinion is that having experience outweighs having a certification, but if you want to advance and be more successful down the road, obtain the certification.

BEC - ✔ REG - ✔ AUD - ✔ FAR - ✔

Becker + NINJA MQCs for FAR

Licensed January 2015

[Anonymous]

Jm – Thanks for the advice. I'm really going to do my research before I pick a study method. Also I'll probably only apply for one part at a time, 6 months might be hard working full time.

Thanks for the tips so far guys.

Anyone else have any opinions?

[Anonymous]

As Im finding out send your transcripts in to get evaluated before applying..I just got denied for whatever reason…I have all the credits needed and met the requirements listed so am not happy.

Thankfully have yet to purchase software.

[Spartans92]

I agree with everyone else that getting a review course that fits your learning style is very important. I have becker because it is what my company offers but I HATE it. I don't enjoy the lectures and I cannot afford to spend 2k on Roger but I love his teaching style so I go on youtube to supplement whatever is free. I also highly recommend buying Ninja MCQ. As far as applying for NTS, apply for the ones you think you can take within the 6 month period, but I think it is better to apply more than less if you believe you could knock more than one out because they are costly. Best of Luck!

BEC- PASS

[Anonymous]

Amohr – Is that a thing? Can you send your transcripts in to get evaluated before sending in the application?

Spartans92 – Well… Keep trucking with Becker. At least it has high pass rates, right?

[Anonymous]

yeah they charge you to do it..I'm about to call nasba today cause im pretty pissed off right now..

I have more then enough credits to sit and got denied.

[Anonymous]

After watching some videos:

I like Roger, but his notes are pretty tough to read on the board.

Becker seems like its a little more boring, but everything is presented visually better.

Not sure what I am leaning toward yet.

[Anonymous]

Im using rogers and hes great..

he breaks everything down into subsections and then into ifrs after he does gaap..couldnt be happier..

first time through im in the 70s on mcq and near 90 on tbs..

plannign on two to three times through everything before i sit..

[Author]

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