Posted on 06/03/2012 8:45:26 PM PDT by LouAvul
I just graduated w/a biz degree and an accounting major. I now have to find a school/course to prepare to sit for the CPA exam.
I had decided on Becker, but now think their costs are too steep. Plus, after 12 months, they require an additional $1,000 for refresher.
Somebody suggested Yeager. They have unlimited refresher with no time limit.
Suggestions?
This is as good a place as any, know of a good plumber in the Las Vegas area?
Not a CPA but know someone sitting for the exam, soon.
My advice to her?
Go to Amazon or to Barnes and Nobel, and find out which books sell the most.
Buy two, read them, take the darn test, with the PLAN that you will have to take it twice.
My idea is lots cheaper than taking one of those training courses. The course fee is cheaper than the training fee. You can take the exam more than once.
I did my Series 7 and my CFP this way, expecting to FAIL the first time through, but I passed anyway!
(Lots of attorneys and accountants flunk the CFP and the 7, BTW)
Congratulations!
I took Becker’s in 1973, after which, I passed all four parts of the exam in California. Since then, I’ve been certified in Virginia, Maryland, Texas, California and West Virginia.
I actually sat twice because of some very odd requirements in Virginia. Becker’s stood behind me and allowed me to take a “free” refresher to sit for the exam in Virginia. I passed that one, too.
They have one heck of a course and are pretty good on predicting what’s going to be on the exam.
I think they are still one heck of a deal. Good luck and welcome!
Becker will do. Studying is the key. Ask question if you do not understand things. Take the test as soon as possible and again even if you do not think you are ready.
Alabama CPA
I took Becker, and it was one of the best investments I ever made. I went to one of the best undergrad business schools in the country, but they left some glaring holes in the accounting curriculum, such as government accounting (I’m glad I didn’t have to take it - it would have been a total waste of my time). Becker summarized and condensed the incredible amount of info needed for the CPA exam, thus streamlining my studying and covering any holes in my school’s curriculum. I took the exam during my last semester at school and passed all 4 parts. I did study very hard and did everything that Becker said to do. At the time it was a 19 hours exam over 3 days; I even studied after coming back home after taking part of the exam (I would study the topics that were not covered by the part that I had just taken-worked like a charm!).
I don’t know anything about Yaeger, and I’m sure it is also very good. Regardless of what you chose, I would highly recommend taking one of the different prep courses. They are money well spent. The last thing you want to do is to keep taking the exam over and over. Whatever you decide, just push the pedal to the metal and make it count. Study to get a 95, not a 76! Then, if you fall short, you would still pass instead of missing passing a part by a couple of points! Also, while taking the exam, remember that it is graded on a curve; therefore, if you find yourself struggling on a particularly difficult part, remember that all students are struggling, so just push forward while others are getting discouraged. The results will shock you! As an example, I barely passed on the part that I thought I did best in, and did my best on the part that I was absolutely certain I failed!
I took Becker and also bought the Klein books.
/johnny
is Becker in the yellow pages?
I would have thought someone in your position would have found that out prior to graduating. Perhaps you should contact one of your former prof’s or counselors / advisers / ombudsmen and ask for assistance. That’s what they do.
My ex went to work for one of the big eight and they had prep classes for new hires. She passed first time.
I took Becker in 1985 and passed all four parts the first time...by the skin of my teeth on all parts!
That was obviously 27 years ago, so many variables may have changed a lot. They drilled students on recent questions from all areas of the most recent tests, which seems to have been the foundation of the success achieved by their students.
By passing the first time sitting, I was able to take advantage of an immediate promotion within my company with the CPA credential in hand. It the time this was very significant in my career.
I did. They recommended Becker and Gleim. One of my classmates is actually taking both.
If Becker’s gets you past the test, its worth the money. In our firm we have seen mixed results with our staff using Beckers in the last five years or so. I think it is more due to personality and attitude than the review course. We have one guy using Becker that has been trying to pass the test for three years and is so psyched out that I doubt he will ever do it.
You might consider Bisk Education http://www.bisk.com to prepare for the CPA exam.
Gleim-Delaney books were all the rave when I was in college back in the 80s.
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