[klmrr2]

I have FAR in two days and completely can’t focus because my family keeps telling me they think I’ll be fired from my job because I haven’t passed an exam yet! Is this true or could this happen?

[hasy]

Uh, did you sign a contract, STATING that you'll have the exams passed by the time you start? If not, you're good. If you signed a contract that you'll have 150 hours by the time you start and you don't, THEN you'll have a problem. But I have never heard of this stipulation before you start.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

Is your family the teasing type? Not sure why they would say that to you unless, as @hasy pointed out, part of your employment was a requirement that you have the test done.

[klmrr2]

I just signed an offer letter. I know I had to be eligible for the exams to accept, which I am (I've been studying and taking exams since May) my problem is haven't passed ANY at this point… I feel like a failure walking into a job with zero passed.

[Anonymous]

Ignore your family – they either don't realize how bad you already feel about the whole thing or they're donkeys. You're fine. Keep chugging.

[hasy]

Concur. And chill out. I've worked with a senior who chooses to NOT take his exams and has resigned to being just a career senior his entire life. You're trying and ignore your family.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[klmrr2]

Thanks, that really gives me a piece of mind about the whole thing. I do have another question though, from what I understood you needed the CPA to be come a senior level? I'm guessing I'm wrong and you need it to become a manager?

[Anonymous]

If the offer said you had to be eligible for the exams, then you should be fine. From what I've gathered, most 1st-years in public have passed an exam or two, but the rest of the group of 1st-years are made up of some people who have passed none and some who have passed all. You probably won't be the only person in your starting group who hasn't passed any.

That being said…if you're studying full-time now, then this is your golden opportunity to pass some – it's probably not going to get any easier when you're working. So, definitely use this time as much as possible to try to get some passes under your belt before October. Maybe you can get a pass between now and October and be one of the majority in your starting group that's passed one or two before starting. 🙂

EDIT: CPA requirements and what level they are for I think varies some by firm, and also by how management feels about you. CPA will make it easier to get to Senior, but if you're an awesome Staff, you can get Senior without it, in some firms at least. Some firms may have a stricter policy on which levels require CPA. Manager and above require it pretty universally; Senior it's common, but maybe not 100% required at most firms.

[klmrr2]

@lilla thanks for the advice, I've actually been finding it hard to study full-time.

I took the fast pass Becker class in May, resulting in 2 fails for BEC and a fail for AUD ( I retook this too, still haven't gotten the score back yet). I took REG in July and failed. I know it's hard to studying and work, but I feel like my time would be better utilized during that period?

I'm 300 miles away from my family and I know I will spend the next year + studying for these once I start work. Also, after all those retakes I have little money left. I know all of this is my own fault, I just am struggling with how to get out of this rut.

[Anonymous]

” I know it’s hard to studying and work, but I feel like my time would be better utilized during that period?”

What do you mean better utilized during that period? Do you currently work, or are you studying full time? If you're studying full time, it WILL NOT be easier once working. What size firm will you be working in?

You will not have your offer rescinded because you have not passed all your exams, or even one, by the time you start. I have NEVER heard of any contractual obligation that has required this.

[klmrr2]

@big4cguy I'm currently not working. I'm going into a midsized public firm. Well, my game plan at the moment is try my best on FAR and then retake in October if needed. Does that seem like a good idea?

I feel like the problem I've gotten into this summer was jumping from exam to exam (this is what my exam schedule looked like: May: AUD -> BEC June: took Becker class for FAR and REG; July: REG -> BEC -> AUD) so I think focusing on FAR until I pass would be my best bet. IF I pass FAR, my plan is to do either BEC or REG during OCtober. Is this smart or not?

[hasy]

Stop jumping! Stick to one exam and study REALLY hard to pass it, it is NOT worth it to restudy for a part when you've already studied for it, especially FAR. Once you pass FAR, so you better grind it out for the next 2 days, go to BEC (you can grind that test out hopefully by second week of Oct or a weekend in Oct, it's doable). It has the MOST changes, you do NOT want TBS for BEC when you don't need to do it….. Then definitely try to fit REG by Dec or Q1 2017 since it has the most changes next.

Good luck. Pardon my delivery, but I'm just blunt.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

@klmrr2, I have found that the greatest success comes when one focuses on a single exam at a time in shorter time period. For example, on FAR, I left 3 months for the exam and found that it was impossible to keep the early material fresh. I ended up having to start from scratch a month before and found that the material was sticking much better.

Since you are not yet working, I would recommend devoting as much time as you possibly can to studying for FAR and attempting before the end of the window. It is much easier to do a full review than the first study attempt. Do you have FAR scheduled this window? Also, make sure you REALLY know governmental, nfp, financial statement accounts, and transactions to the point of dreaming Gearty mispronouncing “BAE-BAE”. While all the tests are different, many of the people I have spoken to that have failed FAR seriously underestimated gov't/nfp.

[klmrr2]

@big4cguy I actually take FAR Wednesday… lol I started studying beginning end of July. I'm using Ninja MCQ and rewriting notes. I don't feel great about it but I'm working MCQ all day everyday.

[Anonymous]

@hasy, GREAT advice! This was the reason BEC was my first exam while I was constantly lambasted by colleagues who said the ONLY way to go was taking FAR first.

@klmrr2, Wow, that is coming up really fast! After I “finished” Becker, I went full steam ahead with Ninja MCQ and they have been a blessing! Though, technically I only completed 36% of my Becker FAR homework sooooo I have found that Ninja has been a tad more helpful. But listen to what Hasy said. After this attempt, you will REALLY want to tackle BEC as it is the section with the most changes overall. Then, would focus on FAR, REG, and AUD (with the least “changes”).

[klmrr2]

@hasy @big4dcguy Thank you both for all of the advice! Definitely going to stick with FAR and these next two days I'm just repeatedly going over everything, hopefully get that 75 on September 9th then move to BEC. Fingers crossed. Best of luck to you both as well!!

[Author]

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