[karanvir06]

Hi everyone, I have been away from accounting for six years now. I am planning to sit for my CPA exam now. I have been looking at another71 and other review courses. I wanted your feedback from those who have used another71 solely or with another review course. From someone like me who has been accounting for six years is another71 will be good for me to pass all four part of the exam?

Thanks

[Mike J]

I've seen Wiley, Becker and Yaeger before discovering NINJA.

If you are already in Accounting, I'd say go with Becker. Also if you can get a discount or if your company will pay for it. They're excellent for coming up with memory tricks. I feel they rely too much on it tho. It's also crazy expensive. When I tried them they offered live classes so you get real-time feedback. But, that's also a function of how good he or she is. Hit or miss.

If you feel you need a completely fresh (and thorough) perspective of the material, go with Yaeger. Phil Yaeger even answers your emails directly sometimes. His team is just as capable. It may be too dense. It's also a little pricey, slightly less so than Becker but much better overall.

Yaeger used Wiley books and software/questions. I think the books werevery dry.

I used NINJA to pass each section. I feel it is the best of both extremes–not too brief, but you get what you need. I would pass on Jeff's textbook. Instead, get the videos and MCQ. It cost me about $120 per section for access to each for 3 months.

Whatever you decide, you still have these forums.

And yes, everyone is different. That's my opinion. Hope this helps.

[karanvir06]

@Mike030882 thanks for your reply and the detailed feedback. I am not in accounting and have not been for the past 6 years. After graduation, i did not go the accounting route but now I am trying to get back into it.

I did not understand your “I used NINJA to pass each section. I feel it is the best of both extremes–not too brief, but you get what you need. I would pass on Jeff's textbook. Instead, get the videos and MCQ. It cost me about $120 per section for access to each for 3 months.” paragraph well.

Are you suggesting that you would buy Ninja as it is the best of both extremes?

What videos and MCQ's should I get?

Thanks!!!

[Mike J]

This is what I meant–Becker is too expensive and often too concise. Yaeger is slightly less expensive but probably too thorough.

NINJA was just right for me. They do not rely on guided highlighting sessions and memory tricks. However, they don't flood you with too much information either.

…

I didn't mention the SIMs. The overall feel of them is kinda clunky. But, I did like the solutions. They come with the 3-month subscription to the MCQ.

…

My last exam was last December so I'm not sure if Jeff's offerings have changed. But, for instance, for FAR, I bought MCQ ($47) and BISK/NINJA Plus ($67, also 3 month subscription).

I wouldn't waste your time on the NINJA notes. Take your own as you watch whichever lecture or textbook you go with. If you feel you want a bit more, then go for the audio files. Tho, you may be able to find a decent podcast to download for free.

…

Hopefully that clarifies things.

…

P.S. I've never had a job in Accounting yet. I'm trying to switch careers from Paralegal and Print Journalism.

Good luck!

[Mike J]

PPS, there are free resources as well if you know how to search the web.

YouTube can also help you with specific topics if you get stuck.

For REG, there is a free clinic available for pass-thru entities. [https://tax.cchgroup.com/downloads/files/contemporary-tax-practice/Module4/Topic3/B-Corporate-Alternative-Minimum-Tax-Computations.asp]. It's a little old BUT, much of it should be viable. It's free. But, the page formatting for the practice quizzes is kinda weird. Again. Free.

I also relied on some of my old textbooks from school (I went to community & state colleges to obtain the credits to sit).

In short, my recommendation is go with NINJA and supplement with internet sources.

[karanvir06]

Thanks for your feeback @Mike030882. I just watched Roger CPA free trial video's and I find it to be really boring and waste of time as i was not able to concentrate on Roger for long. Though Roger tries to be energetic, I think he too gets bored and that's what the audience picks.

I have looked into Yaeger and they do not offer any free trials for their video's. At this point I am still not sure on what to do. I am thinking maybe I can get a video and book and then use Ninja MCQ's and ninja audio as well.

I wonder how many people use just Ninja alone to pass the exam?

[tg7174]

I used CPAexcel for REG, BEC, and FAR, but I didn't like it too much for FAR–it had way too much material. So I switched to NINJA for AUD. Also, I used the ninja notes, audio, and mcqs for all of my exams–I just used the ninja book for AUD and didn't used CPAexcel at all. Overall, I think the full NINJA method is plenty and would recommend it to anybody. CPAexcel is good, but NINJA is cheaper and a little better imo.

[TommyTheCat]

@karanvir – if you find Roger's lectures boring then watch out there are some doozies in the other review materials out there. Been using Roger only thus far and its been excellent. I do plan to buy ninja MCQ test bank access for AUD and FAR here shortly to supplement after I get through all of the Roger content, but so far I have found Roger to be more than adequate for REG and BEC and his lectures are as engaging as any other lectures out there.

[karanvir06]

@tg7174 and @TommyTheCat thanks for your feedback. It helps!

[Author]

Replies