[A_Rish]

So, I just passed FAR in Q4 (passed REG in Q3) and am planning to sit for either BEC or AUD in Q1 of 2019. My predicament is that I will be working quite a bit of OT for the entire months of Jan-April 15th as we head into and go through tax season. This may reduce the productive hours I’ll be able to dedicate to the exam. At the same time, I really don’t think it’d be a good idea to take a testing period off because there’s clearly no guaranty of passing any part, and I’d hate to get myself in a place where I would lose a section. For those of you who have taken and/or passed all four parts, between BEC and AUD, which is considered the lightest in terms of studying? Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Hank Scorpio]

Are you working in tax or audit?

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[A_Rish]

Tax but I'm also a staff accountant, so starting January we get busy with 1099/W2 and YE financial prep. Around Feb I move into the tax department full-time.

[Hank Scorpio]

I would say audit if you are working on the audit side. How are you with the audit material? Have you worked on that stuff at all? FAR and AUD go well together so I would say go to AUD. However, BEC has some cost and other stuff. Neither can be taken lightly but I'd say go for AUD.

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[A_Rish]

Thanks for the input! I'm definitely not taking either lightly. Just curious to hear people's opinions. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with audit. When I took it during undergrad, I remember being very confused but perhaps the second go around will be better.

[Hank Scorpio]

Audit is tough for non audit people. So if you study during busy season, plan to take the full testing window to study and give yourself a good shot at it. It is definitely tough because some of the questions feel subjective.

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[Author]

Replies