http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf178-kXDmg

(UPDATE: Since many of you have asked, my old and new scores are as follows:

OLD: FAR-65, BEC-71, REG-71. (AUD-79.)
NEW: FAR-82, BEC-87, REG-84.

Effectively, the Yaeger course helped boost my score by as much as 17 points.) (Note: To see the Yaeger course click here.)

I FINALLY managed to pass the cpa exam (all three failed sections) on my second tries with the following scores: BEC-87 REG-84 FAR-82. So it’s official – I’ve Passed the CPA Exam!

I attribute my success to Dr. Yaeger and his team. The Yaeger cpa review course is the main reason I passed in such a short time. So all the positive things I read in the Yaeger CPA review reviews I came across in my research were for real after all. I like the Yaeger course because:

• It makes studying efficient, by focusing on areas that has higher likelihood of appearing on the actual exam, and spending less time on areas that probably won’t come up in the exam.
• The lectures aren’t boring, and make hard concepts simple to understand.
• You can call the hotline to speak to the instructors to ask questions.
• In spite of being one of the best, it’s one of the cheapest CPA courses available.

You can check it out by clicking here.

Dr. Yaeger explains concepts pretty thoroughly. There were concepts I never could grasp before that I finally “got” after watching his lectures. I would have been happy to pass with a 75, and when I got an 87 in BEC I knew I was onto something good.

I also called their study hotline a few times when I was still confused about something after watching a DVD. I got Dr. Yaeger again a couple times and other instructors for the other calls, and they were always patient and never tried to get rid of me prematurely, before making sure they’ve cleared up my confusion. One time I was on the phone with Dr. Yaeger for a good 45 minutes over a taxation question. I would highly recommend the Yaeger CPA Review Course to anyone trying to pass the cpa. (Tip: Even if you’re already using another review course, Yaeger has cram courses that you can use last-minute to boost your score by up to 15 points I think. Just so you know.) There you go – one of the most objective and unbiased Yaeger CPA review reviews you can find on the net, from a real student who’s actually studied from it.

I also attribute my success to my study buddies. Pete and Joann, if you’re reading this cpa exam blog, I couldn’t have done this without you guys! Pete – good luck with your BEC test next month. And Joann – yes you did pass the exams first but let’s never forget, I did get higher scores than you on REG and FAR LOL. Luv ya guys always!

And also, a big thank-you goes to my parents who have been more than supportive and encouraging throughout this whole ordeal. Thanks mom for your home-cooked meals which has saved me time I would have spent on cooking to gave me an extra hour to study every night.

Last but not least, a big THANKS to you all who have visited or are still visiting this cpa exam preparation blog. Passing the CPA may seem like a daunting task, but remember, if so many other people have done it (including me), than you will do it too.

It still hasn’t completely sunk in yet that I’m finally a CPA. David Bryant, CPA…ooh that sounded so good I think I’ll say it again. David Bryant, CPA. OK…I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink. Just came back from a celebration party for passing all my exams. I think I’m ready to get some well-earned rest now.

Tomorrow will be a brand new day filled with endless opportunities…. (I’m corny when I’m drunk, what can I say? LOL!)

David Bryant, Certified Public Accountant (had to get that in one more time. You don’t mind do you?)

P.S. Check out this site if you’re trying to get your CPA – that would be my best tip for you.

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First of all, I’ve been doing some research on cpa review courses.  The most popular ones I could find were Yaeger, Becker, Bisk, Roger, and Gleim.  I spent a couple days just doing straight reading online to see what people’s experiences have been with these cpa review courses.  I was using cpa Becker Review before and didn’t find it too helpful so Becker was out.  People’s opinions on both Gleim and Bisk were mixed – some liked them some didn’t.  For the next couple days I debated between Roger and Yaeger.  They both got good reviews and people that have used them seemed to have gotten good results in terms of exam scores, which is all that really matters to me.

In the end I decided on the Yaeger cpa review course because more people have used it (people talk about it more than they do other review courses) so to me it seems that they’d be more reliable.  A bonus is that it’s cheaper.  Not that I really care because at this point I’d gladly pay more to pass the cpa exam and put it behind me in as short a time as possible, but I didn’t mind not having to pay more than I had to.

I actually called the number on the Yaeger website and talked to Phil Yaeger himself!  That was a complete surprise.  I thought I’d get one of his “people”, but instead I got to talk to the guy himself.  He gave me some pointers on how to prepare for the cpa exam.  For example, he suggested that I spend at least 3 months studying each of REG and FAR and 2 months on BEC, since I’d be working full-time.  We must have spent a good half hour on the phone and in the end he said to call back anytime I had a question.  I was quite impressed – yet another reason for me to choose Yaeger.  After our phone call I went ahead and purchased the Yaeger Complete Homestudy Course.

Also, I sent a mass email to my co-workers asking if they or anybody they knew were also trying to pass the cpa exam and whether they wanted to study together.  I found 2 people who lived within a 15 minute drive from me and we’ve set up a tentative study schedule.  Although we’re all studying different sections (I’m starting with REG, and they’re studying AUD and FAR respectively), we should still able to figure out things together and give each other encouragement when the going gets tough, which is what I need more than anything at this point.

Lastly, I received my NTS some time ago and had the 3 cpa exams scheduled (keeping in mind the study timeline from Mr. Yaeger).  Here are the dates:

REG 5/23/2008

BEC 8/29/2008

FAR 11/18/2008

I know I’m not devoting a whole 3 months to REG like Dr. Yaeger I should, but I want to do the REG ASAP because that was the last section I took and I want to re-sit that exam before I forget everything.

The course is set – I just need to keep my head down, stay focused, and pass all three cpa exams in time for Christmas.

That would make this Christmas the best EVER!

Wish me lots of luck!

David

I regret having waited these few years after I graduated before going for cpa certification.  I’ve forgotten so much of the material that was covered in college, I basically had to relearn everything from scratch (at least it felt that way).  And I had to do this after a full day of work when my concentration is at its lowest.

OK, so I have some things working against me, but I’m dusting myself off and moving forward.  Nobody ever told me it was easy to pass the cpa exam, but lots of people have done it and never looked back, so why not me?

Days of failure and depression are over.  I’m going to apply to the cpa board sometime this week and take those 3 exams again ASAP so I won’t have to learn everything from scratch again.  My plan is to go for REG first this time around because it’s still fresh in my mind.  I’m also going to look into getting some help, such as finding a study partner or joining a study group.  I also need a good cpa review course (not becker – tried that already and a lot of good it did me).  Any recommendations?

For inspiration and encouragement, I’m reading other cpa exam blogs written by other cpa-hopefuls on a regular basis. I keep reminding myself that I’m not in this alone.

I printed out a bunch of labels that read “I WILL BECOME A CPA” and pasted it all over places where I could see them everday.  I even stuck one on the ceiling right above my bed so I could look at it first thing when I wake and last thing before I sleep.  This time around, I WILL pass the cpa exam, or DIE TRYING.

David Bryant, cpa hopeful,  is officially back in business!

David

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Also failed FAR and BEC in the past few months.  The only one I passed was AUD.

Everyday I come home from work to spend all night glued to my desk doing MCQs until I feel like throwing up while my friends are getting rested up at home or partying out somewhere.  It’s not fair.

I put in the time, and I put in the money for the cpa becker review.

And inspite of all this, I STILL failed.

All I want is to pass the CPA exam, find a job that pays more than peanuts and leave this hell hole.  Why is passing the CPA exam so difficult?

I feel like giving up…

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1.Arrive early
It’s best to arrive at the testing centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you’re late, you may forfeit your appointment and run the risk of losing your spot to write the exam. You might not be eligible to get your examination fees refunded.

2.Store your personal belongings
Once you’re at the testing centre you must put away your personal belongings, such as your bag or cellular phone, in the storage lockers. You will receive a key to your locker which has to be returned to the test centre staff when you finish your exam. Be sure to leave expensive valuables such as jewellery, IPods, and laptops at home because the test center staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

3.Remember your identification
You have to sign in when you arrive at the testing centre, so be sure to have two pieces of identification with you (one photo identification, and both with your signature). You are required to keep your identification card on you at all times. If you leave the testing room to use the washroom, you are required to show your identification to be readmitted into examination room.

4.Remember to smile
All CPA exam takes will have their picture taken for administration purposes. So be sure to look your best and smile!

5.Remember to sign in
Before entering the exam room, you are required to sign the test centre log book. Each time you leave and re-enter the testing room, you need to sign the log book along with showing your identification.

6.Stay seated
After signing the log book, a test centre staff member will escort you to a workstation. You are required to remain seated in the same spot during the examination, except when asked to leave the testing room.

7.Pencils and paper will be provided
Don’t worry about bringing extra paper and pens as they will be provided by the test centre staff. You will be asked to enter your examination password on the scratch paper, and then you will return the piece of paper with your password to the test center staff when you complete the exam. If you need extra scratch paper, all you need to do is ask the test center staff for some. But in order to get a new supply of scratch paper, you need to give back the original stack of paper to the test center staff. You are not allowed to bring outside paper or pencils into the work station in the testing room.

8.Time Management
It is imperative that when you start writing the CPA exam, that you manage your time efficiently. Use this guideline for managing your time for each of the four exams.

BEC
You have 2.5 hours to complete the BEC section. It consists of multiple choice questions, but do not miscalculate the time. Just because it is a shorter section, it doesn’t mean that you should spend too much time on each question. Give yourself 1.5 minutes to answer each question.

Audit
The Audit section is 4.5 hours long. According to recent candidate polls, it is the second hardest section next to the BEC section. For each multiple choice question give yourself 2 minutes as a benchmark. All together you will have 45 minutes per simulation (60 minutes per testlet.)

FAR
Probably the most difficult section from the CPA exam, FAR tests a large amount of knowledge. For many, the additional calculations add to the difficulty. Many candidates find that the 4 hours is not enough time to finish everything. So you should allow yourself 90 seconds to answer each multiple choice question and 45 minutes per simulation.

REG
The Regulation section is the shortest part of the exam containing only 24 multiple choice questions per testlet. The other sections contain 30 multiple choice questions per testlet. So in the REG you’ll have 18 fewer questions to answer, but it doesn’t mean you should pay less attention to it. The Regulation section lasts 3 hours. To get through it, give yourself 75 seconds per multiple choice question and 45 minutes per simulation.

9.Review and Relax
When you finish writing the exam, leave the testing room quietly, hand in your scratch paper and sign out of the test center log book. Now you can relax and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

10.Some final tips
During the exam, take some mental breaks, stretch in your seat, drink some water and take a deep breath. Bring some chocolates or hard candies to munch on. The sugar helps to maintain energy levels. If you get stuck on a question, skip it, and do your best on the rest of the exam. Go back to it and just guess!

Exam Pass Rate
So is the CPA exam hard? According to the statistics, it’s really tough. Overall in 2011, the CPA exam cumulative rates for each section were relatively low (as follows). In order to pass, you need to get 75% or over.
45.26% – Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
47.13% – Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
45.57% – Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
44.22% – Regulation (REG)

Preparing for the CPA
Many candidates are asking those who have passed, “how hard is the CPA exam?” Since everyone learns differently, the only way to pass is to prepare and practice. So how long should you study? Typically, you should prepare a study schedule at least three months before your scheduled exam. During the three months, set aside blocks of time that you solely dedicate to studying. Keep in mind that there is only a 30% pass rate for each section of the CPA exam and most candidates don’t pass all four sections on their first try. But don’t feel discouraged, many candidates have to re-take sections of the CPA exam before passing it in the end.

Time Frame
The moment you take your first exam, you have an 18 month test window in which you have to pass all four sections of the CPA exam. So how hard is the CPA exam to pass within this time frame? It’s difficult if you don’t study consistently. If you don’t pass all four sections within 18 months, your credit will be lost for the first section you passed. But you get a renewal of another 18 months and the cycle continues until you pass all four parts of the exam. Keep in mind that if you take the exams at a slower pace you risk losing your credits and that means you will have to pay the fees again and retake passed exams.

Preparing with a CPA Review Course
With so much at stake, it is imperative to purchase a CPA exam review course. There are several types of CPA exam classes available, from participating in live seminars to studying online or using self-study text books. Choosing the right review course for you will mean less study time and a higher pass rate. If you need help on choosing a CPA exam review course, check out my reviews here.

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1.The Cost of a CPA Review Course
There are many CPA exam review courses to choose from, presented in different formats ranging from DVD courses to live courses to downloadable software programs to text books. The cost of CPA exam review materials will vary for each person, depending on how much studying you need to do (for example, if you’re fresh out of school you’ll get away with less studying and therefore less study materials) and also your preferences (e.g. some people prefer to buy a Wiley book for cheap and keep doing practice questions like a fiend; others may prefer a more well-rounded course such as Yaeger’s CPA review, which delivers full lectures via DVD and reinforces the knowledge with selective practice questions). If you need help on selecting a CPA review course, visit this site.

2.Initial Application Fees
First –time applicants are required to pay both an examination fee and application fee. The cost of the application fee varies from state to state. (To find out how much the application fee is for your state, see the NASBA website.)

3.Registration Fees
Before you take the exam you have to pay the exam fees. Exam fees are set up so that you pay the lowest fee per section if you decide to apply for all 4 sections at once. You do not have to apply for all 4 sections at one time. It is best to apply for as many sections as you feel comfortable taking over a 6-9 month period. The specific registration fee amounts for registering for different amounts of exam sections at a time varies from state to state. (To find out how much the registration fees are for your state, see the NASBA website.)

4.Examination Fees
After all the preparation, you are required to pay the examination fees for each part of the CPA exam. The price for each section is different, and again, they vary from state to state. (To find out what the exam fee is for your state, see the NASBA website.)

5.Additional Fees
Bear in mind that you may have to pay additional fees if you are planning to write the CPA exam in another city. So remember to factor in your transportation and accommodation costs in the case that you have to travel to write your CPA exam.

And, if unfortunately (knock-on-wood) you don’t pass all 4 sections the first time, you’ll need to pay additional money to re-register for and re-sit failed sections. Also, some people find out after failing one or more sections that the CPA review course they’ve been using hasn’t served them very well, and as a result have to buy another course. To avoid having to spend unnecessary time and money, you are advised to do plenty of research before getting the CPA review course that will work best for you. (Visit this site if you need help on selecting a CPA review course.)

Q: What is the grading process?
A: While you are waiting for your CPA score release date, your exam is checked by evaluators and an electronic system. Besides the written communication section of the CPA exam, which requires you to fulfill tasks such as writing a professional memo or letter, the questions are formatted in way that responses can be scored electronically. Evaluators are responsible for only scoring the written communication section of the exam.

Q: What is the passing mark?
A: All 4 of the CPA exams require a minimum score of 75 as the passing grade. If you get below 75 points, you will have to retake the exam that you, subsequently, failed.

Q: Who will send me my results?
A: The AICPA will hand over the results to each board of accountancy. It is the boards of accountancy that is responsible for the CPA exam score release to examiners.

Q: When is the CPA exam scores released?
A: If you took the CPA exam during the first testing window from April 5 through May 30, your score will be sent to NASBA by June 30. Afterwards, NASBA will forward all scores to the Boards of Accountancy and candidates will be notified of their scores within a week.
Here are the 4 windows when the CPA exam takes place and estimated time when you will receive your scores.
CPA Exam Windows
January – February
Scores delivered: End of March
April – May
Scores delivered: End of June
July – August
Scores delivered: End of September
October – November
Scores delivered: End of December

Q. Where are the released scores posted?
A. State boards of accountancy are the only party with the authority to handle the CPA exam score release to CPA candidates. You should contact your state board of accountancy regarding the score release process.

Q. Which states are taking part in the faster score reporting timeline?
A. Regardless of which jurisdiction you are in all domestic scores are released on the same timeline. Candidates should know that each jurisdiction follows their own score release process.

Q. What should I do if I believe an error was made in my CPA exam scores?
A: After the CPA exam score release has been completed, if you believe that an error was made in your CPA exam scores you should contact your jurisdiction and your query will be reviewed by the Score Review and Score Appeal process. For the pertinent information on Score Reviews and Score Appeals, please check your jurisdictions website.

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-Filing taxes for small businesses-Doing accounting tasks (such as financial planning and bookkeeping) and reporting for companies, government agencies, and/or other organizations.
-Performing auditing and analysis of financial records for corporations.
-Provide financial advice to clients, for example on budgeting and how to save money.

Becoming a fully-licensed CPA is not an easy undertaking. There are many requirements that need to be satisfied before one can be CPA licensed, including certain education and experience requirements, as well as the passing of the CPA exam.

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Education – If you want to become a CPA, the minimum education level you need to have is a bachelor’s degree that includes at least 24 hours of accounting courses and 24 hours of business / management courses. A minimum of 150 college credits are also required. Having stated the minimum CPA education requirements, many larger companies nowadays will expect you to have a master’s.

Examination – This refers to the infamously difficult-to-pass CPA exam. The typical CPA exam pass rate is less than 50% – essentially less than half of those who take the exam will fail. To adequately prepare yourself for this exam, it is recommended that you use a good CPA review course (compare the different courses by clicking here).

Ethics – After you’ve passed the CPA exam, you will need to either take a course in ethics and/or take an ethics exam, depending on which state you wish to get licensed in.

Experience – Another crucial CPA requirement is a certain amount of actual work experience in the accounting field. Again, CPA experience requirements are different from state to state. You will need to have completed a certain CPE (continuing professional education) hours in a certain time frame. Check the website of your state’s board of accountancy for CPA licensure requirements by state.

For detailed CPA requirements by state, please see this website.

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