[brackis1]

Originally Posted by Pillbox Joe

I read most of the questions are multiple choice like 75% of them. If you are a good test taker, you shouldn't have any problem.

au contraire!
If he is a good test taker he should have many if not all the problems!

[Pillbox Joe]

Originally Posted by brackis1

au contraire!
If he is a good test taker he should have many if not all the problems!

touche

[Stringer Bell]

Originally Posted by chokingvictim

Some really smart auditors I work with have not passed certain sections on their first try. It scares me.

Did you use Becker? I can't afford Becker (even though my company reimburses $800, that still makes it well over a grand). I'm hoping one of the less expensive study guides works well for me, since I wouldn't attend Becker courses anyways so I'm hoping a study guide w/ just books will get me through it.

By the way which section are you talking about? I'll be eligible in a few weeks, and will be trying to take 2 parts by next tax season.

No matter which course you take it will be really expensive, but

I actually took a competing course here in California (Roger Philipp CPA Exam Review by Roger CPA Review), and it was great, I really recommend it. I also lucked out and borrowed the Becker book from a co-worker who has already passed all four sections which helped a little. If you want to know the differences, let me know.

I'm taking Financial Accounting & Reporting (FARE), the biggest and broadest section. I figure it has most of the content that I liked in school and why not just get it out of the way. I plan on just studying for BEC, the smallest section, all next month and take it on the 30th.

[Stringer Bell]

Originally Posted by chokingvictim

Very true.

A girl I work with recently had to take 1 more part. If she passed, she became a CPA. If not, one of her other parts that she already passed would expire. She didn't pass, and now has 2 parts to pass. I am really dreading this exam, especially since everyone says Becker is the best study guide by far, and I don't want to fork out thousands for it.

yeah, I have a few co-workers like that. The problem is there is really no time to study during busy season, so that pretty much cuts out 3-4 months of your year right there.

Becker is definitely the most well known, and for good reason, but after looking at both books I prefer Roger Philipp.

Btw, stay away from Lambers. I had a co-worker who took it because it was the cheapest and he actually had to go and buy Becker after once he realized Lambers was shit.

[Stringer Bell]

Originally Posted by MM17

TS where did you attend school?/How was the job selection post grad? (If you dont mind me asking... what type of company did you end up with?)

I'm going to school for accounting and would like to become a CPA.

But as with any test I take, why worried if you are fucked? I understand money & your time is at hand but worrying will help in no positive way. Study up to the point you feel confident, relax, take the test then wait for your results. Don't stress man.
/kinda what NHB said.

I went to Cal State Fullerton, which is a pretty good school for accounting.

After graduating I started with an accounting firm, where I'm at right now. Most people choose to work for firms instead of private industry because it's a faster track to the top, meaning you are going to be able to become eligible for a CFO, Director of Finance or Controller position quicker the longer you stay at a firm than if you were to try and work your way up in the company/industry.

I didn't go to a big four firm though. I wanted to go to a mid-tier. Recruiting was actually pretty strong from top-to-bottom of the accounting firms when I graduated, though things have slowed down a bit. I think everything is slowing down though.

You shouldn't worry about getting a job if your an accounting major and you have a solid GPA (3.2 or up for Mid-tiers, at least 3.5 for Big Four).

What school do you go to? Because the best advice I could give you is to join your school's Accounting Society or, if you can, Beta Alpha Sci (must have 3.0 GPA). They take trips to different firms and companies so you can meet the staff and they should help you with tips for recruiting

[Stringer Bell]

Originally Posted by Pillbox Joe

I read most of the questions are multiple choice like 75% of them. If you are a good test taker, you shouldn't have any problem.

yeah, I've always been a good test taker, I just struggled in school because I loathe to do homework.

I'm not sweating it too much, because like everyone has said, I can always re-take it, but there is a lot of pressure/competition from my peers and the firm to finish as soon as possible. It's like their watching us. I don't want to have to tell anyone I failed, even though it happens often.

[thebluerider]

If it's 75% mutliple choice and you've put the time in, you should pass it. You will get corporate bonus points for getting it on the first try.

[chokingvictim]

Originally Posted by KrazyKanadian

There's no way you could steal it from somewhere online?

My buddy passed this test a while ago I believe, as he's been working as an accountant for the last few months.

I would obviously prefer to find a co-worker, and split the cost (and take different parts of the exam at different times). But if I can't do this, I was thinking of just getting the Gleim books. I planned on only using the Becker books anyways, and not going to the actual classes.

Originally Posted by thebluerider

If it's 75% mutliple choice and you've put the time in, you should pass it. You will get corporate bonus points for getting it on the first try.

Many public accounting firms (like the firm I work for) give a nice bonus for passing on the first try. Technically, we only have to pass within a year of being eligible to get that bonus, and I am definitely taking that into account.

[Jeff Clavelle]

Originally Posted by Stringer Bell

Ok, so I'm sitting for my first (out of 4) sections of the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam on Thursday and I go and look at the last two quarter's passing rates:

http://www.cpa-exam.org/download/PassRates08.pdf

Am I f*cked or what? I'm a serious procrastinator, but I feel prepared. But then again, I'm sure pretty much everyone who walked into the testing facility felt prepared. Anyone else taking a major exam like this? Bar Exam? Other?

the real stringer bell is no procrastinator. You must be some sort of...... IMPOSTER!

[WUchi]

you've just signed a prison sentence, enjoy your 30 years of boredom.