[Lou]

I would suggest doing FAR first just because it’s the most material and so once you have it passed, it’s a big moral boost.

I would not do AUD until you’ve studied FAR. A lot of AUD requires FAR knowledge, especially the AJE’s and AUD would be a lot tougher without having the FAR background.

Reg and BEC-don’t think it matters too much between the two, but since BEC is theoretically the easiest I would do it whenever you have the least time to study.

FAR- taken 8/11/16....now the wait begins
AUD- scheduled 9/8/16
BEC- scheduled 10/9/16
REG-scheduled 12/10/16

Live a few years like most people won't, to live the rest of your life like most people can't.

[KJ]

Thanks @iblacker.

My order was – FAR AUD REG BEC

After 2 fails on FAR it has changed to – AUD REG BEC FAR (Need a morale booster and hopeful to pass one soon)

But yes definitely recommend taking FAR first due to amount of material it has. If you already good/familiar with financial accounting or have work experience no harm in taking AUD first. I would take FAR or AUD first anyways.

FAR - August 2016
AUD - September 2016
REG - October 2016
BEC - November 2016

Remember: "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

[sancasuki]

It's all downhill after FAR. I'm doing FAR-REG-AUD-BEC. I wanted to do the hard stuff first. Only bad thing about it is I sometimes confuse GAAP with tax basis.

[Accountant183748]

So, I would normally suggest FAR>AUD>REG>BEC because AUD and FAR overlap a little bit. But due the changes expected in 2017 I would do BEC>REG>AUD>FAR as suggested by Roger – so basically the opposite haha

[sancasuki]

BEC is definitely changing the most, since they are adding simulations. But I don't know why Roger is saying REG is changing more than AUD/FAR, so you should take it before FAR. REG, AUD, & FAR are all going from 60/40 MCQ/SIM to 50/50. REG is just becoming an hour longer. I don't think that is a big deal. I'd be more concerned with what percentage of the grade is coming from the simulations.

The good thing is they are giving you a 15 minute break in the middle of it that won't cut into your exam time. I guess that could help the most with FAR. I totally ran out of time on FAR, even though I left 80 minutes for the simulations. Would have been 90 minutes but I had to go pee, which takes forever at Prometric what with the signing in and out and the strip search. I finished REG and AUD early.

[Accountant183748]

I think between REG/AUD they are both changing about the same. AUD will have two more TBS and test using “evaluation” whatever that means. REG will have an additional three TBS.

I don't FAR is changing two much beside the fact that they are adding another TBS other than that it's the same thing.

This shows some of the changes pretty well – I was looking at that today

[leglock]

i took aud first and i had a nice simulation on FAR material that would have been easy points had a remembered the material. But because it had been so long since i studied that material in undergrad, I completely blew that sim. Had I taken FAR first, it would have been easy points. I always advise FAR first then AUD

[Bear-Bear]

My order was/is as follows:

FAR – I needed to slay this beast first. I didn't want to have my 18-month window dependent on it, so first it was. Huge psychological boost too.
BEC – I needed a “break” after passing FAR. Not even gonna lie.
REG – This one was changing in 2017, so wanted to get it over with.
AUD – Process of elimination and the one I'm currently studying for:-)

[CPA788]

These responses are very heavy on FAR being first. I understand the reasoning, but if I did FAR first, I would have given up because it took me 3 attempts to pass. Because I've been out of school for a few years I started with BEC, less material to cover, not too gnarly (I know people beg to differ). That got my confidence up for the rest of my journey.

So I went BEC-FAR-REG-AUD. Well, retaking REG next week and AUD in Oct.

BEC - 74, 77
FAR - 72, 71 (retake 7/29)
REG - 69
AUD - Q4 '16

CA Candidate

[Anonymous]

I'm with @CPA788 , I did BEC – FAR – AUD – REG (but I have to do AUD again because I love it so much, so I guess the order was really BEC – FAR – FAR – AUD – REG – AUD, but that obviously WASN'T the plan).

I went with BEC first for the same reasons, I want to ease myself into it and get some confidence. FAR is ALOT to take on when you aren't really sure what to expect from the whole process. PLUS, if God abandons me and I do have a test expire – I'd rather it be BEC than FAR.

and with the changes coming up, I'd check out that link @vannessa_ls shared.

[hawkgolf12]

I would suggest starting with the section you feel you can pass the easiest. Not which one is the “universally agreed” on easiest by others and the community. For me, this was REG as I had experience with tax, and B Law wasn't difficult for me to master. After receiving my passing score I noticed a huge spike in motivation to get after the next one. I am a firm believer in leaving the beast (FAR) for last. If you can pass 3, you know only one thing stands in your way and you should be motivated to get it done.

My order: REG, AUD, BEC, FAR

REG - 8/9/16
AUD - 9/8/16
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - TBD

Becker & Ninja MCQ

[SaveBandit]

FAR
AUD (can be swapped with BEC)
BEC (can be swapped with AUD)
REG

I can't imagine not taking FAR first because it's almost like 2 tests. Then, take AUD as it naturally follows FAR. So many topics are intertwined. Then, take BEC. All the formulas you memorized in FAR and AUD will reappear in this section as well as some topics discussed in FAR.

I feel pretty strongly about taking FAR and then either BEC or AUD. To me, it really makes the most sense in terms of efficiency of study time.

REG can really go on the front end or the back end, I put it on the back end purely because FAR is so much more dense.

Inevitably, whatever section you think you will struggle with most will be the least painful (for me – REG), and the one that you think will be easy will be the worst (BEC).

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[DISLCPA]

I started with BEC and now retaking BEC, the only reason I did was because of the changes and a co worker was supposed to do the test with me and he baled and left me studying for BEC when it was his idea. I was planning on taking AUD next but with what is being said I may need to take FAR. I know FAR is a dog and I was wanting to squeeze one more in before the end of the year. Since Feb thru April is out for me bc of tax season I was going to start FAR right after and then leave REG last since taxes are my thing. Does anyone feel this is a bad idea, I have an opportunity to change since I have already taken BEC once and now I am retaking 10/17/16.

BEC(8/12/16)
AUD
FAR
REG

[Author]

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