Hey guys.  After these last few weeks of studying and practice, only a week left until my first big CPA exam.  I'm using my time wisely to go over some of my weak areas (cycles and evidence).  Surprisingly, I felt pretty comfortable with reports, a section that I thought I would have struggled with.  I think it's mainly due to memorization being one of my strong…

The AICPA has released the first quarter 2013 CPA Exam pass rates. When compared to Q1 2012, AUD rates are up a bit 45.19% vs 44.90%, BEC experienced a pretty good bump 53.47% vs 48.63%, FAR up a nice bump as well at 47.16% vs 43.84% and REG up a bit 47.57% vs 45%.…

I received my Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting in 1983. Now after being in the workforce for over thirty years, I have found myself needing to go back to school for my Bachelors of Science in Accounting.  If I want to move up the career ladder into a management position, I need to have my BA.        

 As my 1st step of becoming a CPA comes to an end - getting my Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Currently finishing my last few class and will have my degree July 23rd!…

I’ve been plowing through BEC for a full week now and earlier in the week I was missing the comfort I had during AUD. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t KNOW AUD, but I somewhat knew AUD. By the time I took my AUD test, the first week of April, I was ready to be done with that material and do something different. Now, I realize that different means learning something new, from the start.

Anyway, I’ve made my way through Corporate Governance and the Economic sections study plan this week. I…

With Full Time job and Full Time family obligations, I rarely find time to study.  I tried to sneak in 30 minutes during lunch and an hour before bed but just don't make it.  My Becker review course just expired and I have 3 more courses to go.  GOD HELP ME! 

It's now been around 2 weeks into my study program for FAR, the novelty beginning to wear off and the family starting to feel the impact of having the cook, housekeeper, nurse, doctor, vet and shopper, go to a quarter time schedule!  As I was getting ready for work this morning I could hear, in a slightly frustrated tone,  "where the he*L are all my socks?!"  I laughed to myself and responded "ask Hunter, he did the laundry."  I've "hired" my son to help me out and while he has done a great…

I took the CPA exam many years ago, right after college.  I didn't study at all, thinking I would "wing" it.  Of course, I failed all 4 parts.  Since I got a job in the auto industry, I didn't feel I needed a CPA designation, so I never looked back.

I switched careers about four years ago.  I work as an auditor for the government in Specialty Tax, so I feel I would benefit from obtaining the CPA designation, especially since my work experience would actually go towards getting my…

Wow, I remember another blogger saying how she was actually excited to get her NTS.. and now that I finally have mine (first applied on 2/27), I feel the exact same way.  That's definitely a load of stress off my back.  I have 2 sections on this NTS (AUD and FAR) and will get BEC and REG a bit later on.  Just didn't want to schedule all 4 exams in one NTS and…

Hello everyone.

It's been a week into my studies for FAR.  I decided to start with Government Accounting,  it's an area that I haven't touched in a few years and frankly whatever I once knew about it has long since gone.  In the last week I've been reminded why I don't work in government accounting; I respect anyone who chooses this as their…

It's usually when you are in the middle of REG that you find problems. I always take Business Law part easy and put emphasis on the Tax part-mainly because I am a number person and I like calculation than memorization. Plus doing problems with number makes more accomplished. 

But I know this feeling is wrong. It resulted in a failure in AUD as it's purely memorization and I…

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Here's your chance to get your exam goals and thoughts down…

Failing BEC with a 74.  I keep checking to see if my some miracle they changed my score to a 75.  But no such luck.

I took this failure HARD.  It took me longer to get back to studying than it normally does.  I was SO CLOSE. But I finally got back on track.  I waited for my score to come out to determine if I was going to re-study for BEC or start studying FAR.

I set…

I have been furiously making videos for my review course members, so I thought I would answer the questions from the FAR Talk group here in a few videos.  It might take a few seconds for the videos to load.

Government Accounting - Exchange vs. Nonexchange Transactions

Deferred Taxes - Valuation Allowance Journal Entries…

Hello to all my fellow CPA candidates! 

Although I'm not a superstitious person by nature I do tend to look for "signs" to sort of guage whether I'm on the right path or not. I think to some extent we all do it in one fashion or another.  My sister, well she's a little extreme in her need for external answers, often seeking out the assistance of psychic's.  I laugh (but quietly) when she…

I asked myself this question many times. Some of my peers who pass the CPA exam told me I should try to study first for the part that would be more difficult for me. Others told me I should study the part that I think I have more experience on and will be easier to study. Even though there is no right answer to this question something that is clear is that each individual is different for this reason its better that you study what you think will work…

I decided to create a post because I was thinking to myself how I wish life came with warning signs like the roadway. Going up that mountain and enjoying the beauty, we sometimes forget that we have to come down. Thanks for those signs that tell the grade of the road and where we can go if we lose control of our car. I feel now that I am too focused on my destination that I don't notice the signs ahead such as "slow down!!" or "road crossing ahead!!". Qualifying now to take my CPA exam in my…

Yip…It can happen.  You study for months and on the day of the exam you forget something.  Just as studying for the exam is very important…so is the big day!!  Things that you should do to reduce stress on the exam day:

1. Put your NTS in your car!!
2. Choose your attire the night before (go for comfort)
3. Pack your exam bag the night before: IDs, NTS & Confidence :) 
4. Don’t change your routine (no time for…

I’ve envisioned a great life after the CPA Exam and that’s why I am giving it my all. I really want my life back.  Simple pleasures like reading a non cpa book…or watching tv without feeling guilty…Oh how I miss those days.  My CPA bucket list consists of:

1. Being able to spend more time with my son and my mother (she’s retiring) – I’d like to take them to Disney World next year.
2. Buy a house
3. Travel to Europe to visit my god daughter
4. Attend my…

Hey guys.  I finally figured out my CPA schedule and the dates I want to take my exams.  Have a look!

One of the best things you can do as a CPA candidate is to schedule and plan ahead of time.  This is definitely very important as it gives you goals and specific targets to…