[ajwynn30]

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in sitting for the cpa exam but need some guidance. What is the best order to start taking the exams in? I took financial and managerial accounting in grad school about 2 years ago some (far and bec material) was covered in those courses so I’m familiar with that. I have some Wiley and Becker review books that I’ve been glossing over too but need supplemental material for the sims and drs. I’ll appreciate any insight on how I should approach and prepare for the exam. Thanks!

[mtaylo24]

If I could do it over again, I would have taken FAR first. People have passed with every review program, so the best thing you can do is demo each and see which one matches your learning style.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[I’mAGoingConcern]

I agree with mtaylo. If I wasn't rushing to get through BEC/REG before the change, I would have started with FAR. FAR has had the lowest pass rates, so it's nice to get that one out of the way so that your 18 month window doesn't start ticking until you pass it.

Also, a lot of people on this board have noted that there are many FAR concepts in other tests (such as AUD). While you can pass AUD without taking FAR first, it would definitely help.

If I could have done things the way I wanted (if the exams didn't change 3 months after I was eligible to take them), I would have done: FAR, AUD, BEC, REG.

[Robert]

I always say start with FAR because it can take 2-3 month to study. That is a lot of time that doesn't eat into your 18 month window (which starts when you first ‘sit' not when you first ‘study').

After that I'd say it depends on your strengths and time constraints… I would not take FAR or REG during a time you believe you will be busy with other things in life. REG takes a LOT of time and focus, so I wouldn't schedule this around the holidays, winter, or busy season.

AUD and BEC are not easy, but take considerably less study time (approx 1 month each) to prepare for.

If you like to get the hardest out of the way while you're fresh I'd say FAR, REG, BEC, AUD. Some people reverse this because they want to get some momentum by passing shorter sections first. Some people alternate because they want to follow a lengthy section, FAR, with a shorter section, BEC, as a break (this was my approach).

I took them FAR, BEC, REG, AUD… and liked that order a lot. The only downside was REG was around a very busy interim, new job, and winter holidays so that one nearly broke me.

This is common, generic advice that you'll see on this forum. It can severely vary by person as some people find AUD and BEC are not the break they thought. I was very typical in that I found FAR and REG to be the hardest.

So, it depends on your psychology… get some passing scores out of the way early?; jump into the hardest stuff early?; alternate?

I debated this same question at length and planned accordingly, but after taking all of them I feel the order wasn't a big factor.

[Author]

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