OMG!

this JUST hit me!

finals are next week, i have 2 more classes in the summer and in july i will be done with my BS. then i have to look for a new job in auditing, apply to take the CPA and then actually pass the CPA.

anyone out there taken the CPA exam? how bad is it? i've started studying the CPA review books and plan on taking a review class. any tips or advice? i'm so freaking out right now.

I have not taken the CPA yet but my first word of advice is DON'T FREAK OUT!!!!!! My teachers all tell me the same thing... If you have passed all of your classes, you can and WILL pass the CPA. It IS hard, don't get me wrong, but the best way to get through it is to study your behind off and maintain a positive attitude!!!!

I plan on enrolling in a review course in September..I think that will help a LOT!! Do you plan on getting certified in NY? I am considering going for it in another state but I am not 100% sure yet!

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Posted by NikkiR515

I have not taken the CPA yet but my first word of advice is DON'T FREAK OUT!!!!!! My teachers all tell me the same thing... If you have passed all of your classes, you can and WILL pass the CPA. It IS hard, don't get me wrong, but the best way to get through it is to study your behind off and maintain a positive attitude!!!!

I plan on enrolling in a review course in September..I think that will help a LOT!! Do you plan on getting certified in NY? I am considering going for it in another state but I am not 100% sure yet!

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thanks! i'm trying not to but with so many changes and planning the wedding it's hard.

I plan on getting certified in NY. Any con's i don't know about?

congrats!

i know nothing about the cpa test except that a good friend of mine took them and he used to study ALL THE TIME!

Good luck with the test

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Posted by fabulousmady

congrats!

i know nothing about the cpa test except that a good friend of mine took them and he used to study ALL THE TIME!

Good luck with the test

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thanks!

I've taken it and am in the middle of trying to pass it...it's a killer, but that's assumed, so just don't freak out...make sure you take review classes and you'll be certified in no time

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Posted by NikkiR515

I don't know if it is considered a CON per se but the NY work requirement is one of the toughest in the United States (about tied with California). In places like Maryland, there is NO work requirement so all you have to do is pass the exam and register. If you plan on going into the audit field though, I guess it would make the most sense to get the license in NY but if you plan on going into another field, such as tax (which is what I MIGHT be doing) then it might make more sense to get the license elsewhere. You will still be recognized as a CPA by prospective employers, you just might not be able to sign off on NY financial statements.... Either way, it is definitely something worth looking into! I want to look into the tri-state area requirements and see how they are epsecially since I have NO IDEA where I will be living in the next 5 or so years!!!

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see i know i will be living in either NY or NJ and if it's NJ then i will still work in NYC. i think i'd rather be able to sign off on NY financials but i will def look into it. thanks!

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Posted by FutureMrsWildes

I've taken it and am in the middle of trying to pass it...it's a killer, but that's assumed, so just don't freak out...make sure you take review classes and you'll be certified in no time

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good luck. are you registering in NY? which part do you recommend taking when?

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Posted by ELluvsMB

I took all 4 but didn't pass them and gave up :( I'm thinking of changing careers anyways. I worked for 2.5 in public accounting as an auditor. My FH is on his last exam and makes it look so easy....he took 2 in one month. My biggest advice....don't sign up for all 4 because you only have 6 months to take them and there are off months in between. That was my biggest mistake!!! I got a 74 on 3 of the exams and 75 is passing!!!! Good luck. If you have any questions let me know I've been through it.

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how did you like the auditing field? and which part is the hardest?

I couldn't say which is the hardest per say but Business is def the easiest and FARE has the most material in the textbook. If you take becker review (which your company will probably pay for) I wouldn't go in for the classroom sessions I felt it was a waste of time. Try to do the lectures on the CD's and the practice questions becker gives as many times as you can. Believe me once you start you will understand what i'm saying but there is just a huge amount of information to learn and you can't possibly know it all so just concentrate on the areas they suggest.

Honestly, my first year as an auditor was not bad at all. I liked the client I was on and my hours were managable. I don't want to scare you but all of the public companies have 'busy seasons' which range from person to person but my hours got really really bad and I just couldn't do it anymore. The field is not for everyone, some like it some don't. But you need your 2 years for the CPA and once you work at a big company you have it on your resume forever. The company I'm at now won't even interview people unless they have big 4 experience so I can't say it was a waste of time. If you have any specific ?'s about things FM me and we'll talk more.

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Posted by ELluvsMB

I couldn't say which is the hardest per say but Business is def the easiest and FARE has the most material in the textbook. If you take becker review (which your company will probably pay for) I wouldn't go in for the classroom sessions I felt it was a waste of time. Try to do the lectures on the CD's and the practice questions becker gives as many times as you can. Believe me once you start you will understand what i'm saying but there is just a huge amount of information to learn and you can't possibly know it all so just concentrate on the areas they suggest.

Honestly, my first year as an auditor was not bad at all. I liked the client I was on and my hours were managable. I don't want to scare you but all of the public companies have 'busy seasons' which range from person to person but my hours got really really bad and I just couldn't do it anymore. The field is not for everyone, some like it some don't. But you need your 2 years for the CPA and once you work at a big company you have it on your resume forever. The company I'm at now won't even interview people unless they have big 4 experience so I can't say it was a waste of time. If you have any specific ?'s about things FM me and we'll talk more.

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thank you so much! greatly appreciate the advice.

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Posted by vicky1125

this JUST hit me!

finals are next week, i have 2 more classes in the summer and in july i will be done with my BS. then i have to look for a new job in auditing, apply to take the CPA and then actually pass the CPA.

anyone out there taken the CPA exam? how bad is it? i've started studying the CPA review books and plan on taking a review class. any tips or advice? i'm so freaking out right now.

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my fh passed all four parts. he studied a lot!!!!!!!

Good Luck! I'm sure you will do great!


The only bad thing, I have heard that the CPA exam is horrible, but at least you can take it as many times as you need, and if you don't pass the first time you know you are not alone.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

try not to stress too much about the CPA exam. I know when I was studying for the bar exam I was having crazy anxiety attacks and looking back it just wasn't worth it.