[jeff]

Hey! The NINJAs are giving away 3 pair of Powerbeats 2 Wireless earbuds – your choice of color.

In the video, I said that they were $200-$300, but they’re actually $150-ish (the mall walker distracted me, I think and I was thinking of the over-the-ear headphones). SO … I’ll give away 3 pair instead of 1.

To Enter: Post your best advice or “tip” for anything CPA Exam or accounting related…it can be CPA Exam, Busy Season, Resume, Big 4, Interview, Getting Hired/Fired, etc. Please label your tip.

Example:

[CPA Exam Tip]: Always take the 1pm exam – never the 8am. You’ll have more time to study and there’s no risk of oversleeping

or

[Big 4 Tip]: During networking events – don’t be the dude throwing back the beers. Nurse it. You can pound beers later when it won’t matter if you make a fool out of yourself.

etc.

**Please do NOT post something like “buy company ____ and you’ll pass” … that’s spam, not a tip***

(Unless it’s NINJA – then NINJA spam is always welcome, encouraged, and appreciated.)

Who Wins? On Friday (1/29 – deadline to enter is 12pm Eastern), I will randomly pick three posters from this thread. I’ll use the RANDBETWEEN function in excel to pick the post(s).

No purchase required to enter…void where prohibited…must be 18 to win, etc.

I will also toss in a NINJA Audio of the winners’ choice – since it goes so well with the earbuds 🙂

One entry per person, please 🙂

[shephwd]

[CPA Exam Review Tip] If you feel confident in your writing skills, I recommend nonstop MCQ's for BEC prep. I read through the material once then turned my focus to solely MCQ's. While this strategy will not be the best for the other sections, I found this an easy way for me to study for the current BEC format, personally.

[CPA Exam Tip] I have been taking my tests on Friday afternoons, but I am considering trying Monday. I usually take the day off from work when I take a test, but the extra two days prior to the test for cramming may be an attractive option. Also, I get a bit paranoid when it comes to taking tests at test centers. I always leave the house with my NTS in hand, but I put an extra copy in my car's console days in advance, just in case. And once you get to the actual test, my man Aaron Rodgers wants you to R-E-L-A-X. You know the stuff, now just calm down and do your thing.

BEC: 83 on 10/1/15
REG: N/A
AUD: N/A
FAR: N/A

[Nicole_JVR4]

[Career Advice]: Find a career and company that makes you happy. There's nothing worse than suffering through because you think you have to follow a certain path when there are so many choices out there for you. I have learned that in the Auditing field, the turn over is so high you can find a hand pick a company that fits into your life-style and you are a commodity to them. Speak up about your expectations too. This obviously isn't the case when you are first starting out and especially at the Big 4, but I have 2 kids and an amazing work/life balance and I love my job because I made sure to find something that met my needs!

[jwerk]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Plan your meal before your exam. You don't want to test on an empty stomach, but even worse is eating something you shouldn't have before your test. Know your body and plan ahead!

[tari87]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Have a realistic study plan and stick to it

[tari87]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Have a realistic study plan and stick to it

[Anonymous]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Make sure to take some time off. If you get to the point where you feel like you are beating your head against a wall – take a few minutes – go for a walk, watch a show, or take a nap!

The time you take off will help you concentrate much better when you come back!

[lm1362]

WRITE the rules on scratch paper!!! It helps your brain remember things. Write formulas, rules, acronyms, etc. It's just to program it into your brain. As everyone else, do tons of MCQs.

FAR – 1/22 ?

BEC – 2/29

REG –

AUD –

[EuroAddict]

[study tip]

For me this is currently working (if using beckers):

– watch video and highlight what they say
– rewrite everything you highlighted and took notes of
– TON of MCQ's
– Add in Ninja MCQ's as well (the more the merrier).

Notice I didn't say read each chapter page per page.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

[CPA Exam Review Tip] I use a paper planner to plan out all of my studying. I give myself a glittery star once I've finished each task. I find it harder to goof around when I can visually see that I am days behind on studying.

[JK_Corona90]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Try not push back your exam date if you have it scheduled. If you you are 100% sure you need more time, only push it back a week. I pushed my test back a month once and I regret it. 2 months of studying and $200 wasted.

[thrice31x]

[CPA Exam Review Tip] Always take the exam on Monday mornings as early as possible. This gives you the whole weekend to take practice exams and MCQ's. Then relax Sunday night and go to the exam well rested and fresh on Monday morning!

[frinzy00]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Eat and drink light. Once you start an exam you can't leave to go to the restroom, until that section is finished.

[jk17951]

[Working while Studying Tip]

Always let your bosses know when you plan on taking an exam. This allows management to offer flexibility in your schedule, they are aware of your stresses, and can accommodate.

Additionally, you now have a deadline that management knows about so you are less likely to procrastinate. Block your time accordingly and converse with your peers over problem subjects.

[Fjord]

[Busy season tip]: Show up early to get billable hours. I've found that showing up a couple hours earlier is much more productive and less depressing than having to stay extra late at the office.

AUD: 64, 80
Far:
REG:
BEC:

[Char143]

After studying for audit and getting a 70 the first time I realized how much more efficient and focused I was after creating a detailed plan and setting a schedule of when certain lectures need to be read/done by. It sounds like common sense, but the first time around I just studied and didn't really set a schedule for myself. I haven't taken the exam yet but I feel so much more confident than the last time.

I guess my advice is really just common sense :/

Oh, and relax the day of the exam, don't try to learn new material, it will
not work. Trust me

AUD (2/16)-84
REG (05/16)-69 Retake (7/16)-79 (ty ninja MCQ)
BEC-TBD
FAR-9/8/16

[Author]

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