Posts tagged: CPA Blogger

Exam Experience and Overall Thoughts: BEC Done!

May 28, 2013, by 1 comment

 

It’s finally over. Well, Part 1, anyway. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so relieved to walk out of a testing center in my life. Then I remembered that I was in Atlanta and I was going to have to fight traffic all the way back home. What a bummer! Still, I had just walked out of the CPA exam and I was feeling good! The testing format was identical to that which Gleim provides you with online. There wasn’t any confusion there. I went into the center and was fingerprinted and given my white boards and shown a computer. It was exactly what I expected it to be.

I was a bundle of nerves but once I got into the computer and into the test, I felt more at ease. The questions were difficult, but I felt prepared. I won’t know how prepared I actually was until the scores are released, but I feel like, if nothing else, the experience was worth it. I will probably use the same tactics to review for the other sections as I did with BEC. I felt like they were extremely effective for me, and I am so thankful that I picked Gleim. They really do hit on exactly the right things. There were several questions on the test that reminded me of a Memory Aid that I had seen in my book. I knew, without a doubt, that I had the right answer. Those are the best kinds of questions, when you’re 100% sure. Overall, it was a great experience, but I’m glad that I have a 2 week hiatus before I venture on to Auditing & Attestation.

 

Final Review Process – CPA Exam

May 9, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By CPA Exam Blogger Erica T.

Before I sat for BEC, I blocked off a week of time to get a cumulative review of all the material. I hit all the multiple-choice questions in the book again, making flashcards of the ones that I struggled with a second time through. I also listened to the audio review on my iPhone in my car. That is one of my favorite tools. It helps you utilize your time efficiently. Even when you’re driving down the road, you can be listening to the concepts that will be on the test and not losing study time.

The weekend before I tested (on a Monday), I crammed like a madwoman. I spent every second that I could with my nose stuck in the book. I woke up early and stayed up late to study. On Sunday night about midnight, I couldn’t take anymore. I just closed the book, put my things by the door for the next day, and got a good night of sleep. To me, the final review was a lot less stressful than a first time review. You are familiar with the content and it’s just that, a review. I found this method to be effective for me. I tend to do well in a crunch. If I have any advice for a final review, it is to find what works for you. Each person is different in their study habits and this was the most effective way for me. I think another valuable piece of advice for someone studying for the CPA exam (and also working in the accounting field) is to have a little bit more common sense than I did and don’t schedule your exam one week before the tax deadline.

 

Introducing CPA Exam Blogger Jennifer K.!

April 1, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Jennifer K. for the Gleim CPA Blog

Hello, my name is Jennifer K. I graduated with my accounting degree over 15 years ago and completed my Masters in Information Systems and Operations Management 5 years ago. I am married, work full-time as a finance manager, and have a 13-year-old boy who keeps me very busy. I have always wanted to get my CPA designation, but life always seems to get in the way. Four years ago, I started studying for the exam and passed two parts, but I have let them expire due to starting a new job. I thought I was doing well. I thought that I was going to push right through and complete the exam, but before I knew it I was learning a new job and had no time to study.

 

In January of 2012, I started re-taking the exams. I already passed two parts (REG and FAR) and have until July 2013 to complete the two remaining parts (BEC and AUD). My original plan was to have completed all of the exams by January 2013, but unfortunately, AUD has become a barrier to completion of my goal. Now, I am in a bit of a time crunch. I have tried using several study guides [competitor names removed] but continue to have problems with AUD. Most of my experience is in risk management, finance, and accounting, but I have never worked as an auditor or even in an accounting firm. I believe this has hindered my success on AUD. The AUD section of the exam also seems to have much smaller study guides in all of the well-known programs. This leads me to believe there is much less subject matter, which allows the exam preparer to be far more persnickety in creating exam questions. I am hoping that Gleim will give me the tools I have been lacking in my prior attempts to pass AUD. I truly believe that most accomplishments in life are garnered through determination and perseverance.

 

 

6 Weeks Away From The CPA Exam

February 26, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Jaime C.

I’m not sure where the last seven days went. Just like healthy eating and exercise, I usually have the best intentions for studying on Sunday night. However, real life always seems to get in the way on Monday and carries through the rest of the week. We had an ultrasound this week and got to see our healthy little child. While I have felt great during my first trimester, work has not gotten any easier in the past few weeks. I continue to be without a tax accountant and perform the work of two people. We had a few interviews, but none of the candidates have worked out so far. I sure hope we can get someone in quickly to help share the workload.

As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, the company I work for is potentially going to sell the company to another party. The potential buyers are coming to the office tomorrow to visit our facility and meet the managers and staff. We joke that we will be interviewing for our current positions. It sure would be nice to confidently say that I am a CPA. Soon, very soon!

My scheduled exam date is six weeks away. I was reading over my blog history and see a trend of excuses for not studying. My next blog posting will not be an excuse for failing to study during the week. I pulled out the six week study schedule from the Gleim counselor and have the perfect amount of time to get this all in. This will ensure that I get the necessary review for study units already covered as well as make it through all of the material. I worked with a gal several years ago that would use just the book to study. She would start reading at the beginning and go as far as she could. For one section, she passed without reading half of the material. I’m not sure I’ll be that lucky. So, here’s to a great week of studying!

 

 

First Week Studying for the BEC Exam

December 27, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Kathy R.

My first week of studying for the BEC exam is going extremely slow. I feel so overwhelmed with all the formulas that I have to understand, memorize, and know when to use. I have made note cards for the formulas and have attempted to review them daily. The problem I have is that most of the formulas are not logical for me, so the only way to learn them is with a lot of repetition. I am attempting to complete one subunit each day and I am struggling to keep the pace. On some days I feel very discouraged because I feel that my scores for the second set of multiple-choice questions should be higher. I have spoken with the Gleim support team and they have assured me that my scores are in the expected range for someone who is going through the material for the first time. I am trying to keep a positive attitude while I move forward with the BEC material.

My study plan for this week is to try and complete seven study units, review my formulas, and hope that my scores start to improve. This will give me the confidence I need to keep moving forward. I am very nervous about my exam at the end of the month due to the fact that I am struggling with the material. The question for me is will I or will I not be ready? If anyone has any study tips for BEC, please let me know. I am definitely open to any suggestions that may help me pass the BEC exam or help me move faster through the material. I am hoping that the material becomes easier to understand and that I regain my confidence in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned for the BEC journey.

 

Take Baby Steps CPA Candidates

December 26, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Erica T.

Let’s do a little recap. Last week, I gave you all some information about how I got to this point. This week, I’ll tell you how my week has gone with studying. I have felt like I have had Gleim CPA Review notes in my face all week long. I would wake up in the morning laying on top of my review book, I’d go in the kitchen for breakfast and my iPod would still be playing the audio portion of the review. I’d get in the car for work and the flashcards that I look over on my lunch break were scattered all across the dashboard. It has been one of those weeks where I’ve studied, studied, studied. At one point, I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel, but I was pretty sure it was a train so I added on some more information to study.

I talked with a CPA in my office and she said that reviewing for this test is not for someone that isn’t totally dedicated to this career. She said it was one of the most difficult and stressful times in her life. I can totally relate. On a much more positive note, I do love the way the information is laid out. I feel like Gleim really got it right in the way the information is grouped in the book. The study material really covers the key points with a brief explanation. This has been extremely helpful. I have taken the time to write some notes on my own. I tend to do a better job retaining information when I write it down. I really like the Knowledge Transfer Outline as a general guideline for what information is going to be covered. If I have any advice for you fellow CPA candidates, it is try to take baby steps. Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed with how much you have to do and how little you have done. It’s an easy thing to do. Section off your book until you feel comfortable with that information, then move on to the next section. Pace yourself at whatever rate you feel comfortable. This has been the key for me during my studies. Good luck to you!

 

Welcome Guest Blogger Gina M.

December 25, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Gina M.

My name is Gina. I am a wife, a mother, a full-time employee, and a CPA candidate. The last title of “CPA Candidate” has completely taken over my life for the past year. I started this journey after I was laid off from my job of 9 years. I was already in graduate school and had plans to take one class at a time so that I wouldn’t be taking on too much. After being laid off, I was determined to start my career as a CPA as soon as possible. I took on the maximum course load and started studying for the CPA exam as soon as I had 150 credits. It was too much, too soon. I have failed two parts of the exam. I did manage to finish my Masters program with a decent GPA and get a decent job. But it just that, a JOB, not a CAREER.

So, what is so different this time? I went on an interview recently for a position that I thought would have been perfect for me. It was with a great company and I had three phone interviews with them. After not being invited for an on-site interview for the third time, I emailed the recruiter and asked for feedback. I thought that it might have been my resume or interviewing skills. A few days later, I received an email from the recruiter and was told that my resume was great and that I had an excellent background, but they wanted someone who was a CPA. That email is now taped to wall in my office and will be a reminder of why I have to pass.

I have started studying for the exam again with hopes of passing before April 2013. I am determined to pass and not put this off any longer. Also, my notice to sit expires in April, so I HAVE to take and pass them all by then.

I am blogging with the hope that I can help someone who is stuck and needs direction as I once did. These blog posts will also hold me accountable for my studying habits.

Wish me luck.

 

AUD Studying – Practice Exams and Great Expectations

December 20, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Jaime C.

The mums are planted, the squash is cooking in the oven, and my CPA AUD studying continues. I worked on Study Unit 3 this week as well as incorporating Study Units 1, 2, and 19, which I’ve already covered in my practice exams. I started the week with high expectations of studying every evening for two hours. However, my routine still needs some fine tuning. I haven’t found the perfect combination for working late, getting to the gym, tending to household chores, and studying.

A few tweaks here and there will allow ample time for studying during the week. For instance, I started exercising in the morning before work. I keep thinking back to my first blog posting when I discussed discipline and diligent studying. Each evening brings new episodes of my favorite TV shows, but I’ve learned to limit my TV time in order to study. I know that I can watch the shows online at a later date when studying is not my main focus.

I’m always eager to knock out several hours of continuous studying on the weekends. This, too, takes discipline and the ability to turn down afternoon social engagements. These fall months are passing quickly and getting my study routine under control now will only make studying for the BEC, FAR, and REG CPA exam sections that much easier.

My husband is super supportive and knows I need study time. He also doesn’t pester me about studying when I procrastinate. He sees that I am hard on myself if I don’t get enough studying completed during the week. It is great to have encouragement and support during this journey. We haven’t really told anyone that I am studying, yet. I’d prefer to limit the inquiries and comments regarding my studying until I boost my confidence and have most of the AUD material under my belt.

 

Creating A Study Plan For Yourself

December 20, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Erica T.

This week, I decided that I would blog about my CPA study plan and how I’ve used the online resources to make the most of my studying time.

I printed out a study plan that I created for myself. For the lengthier study units, I allow myself a full day to study them. For the shorter study units, I group two of them together. Before I do anything, I psych myself up (which is usually pretty short lived). Then, I go online and print out the Knowledge Transfer Outline. This has proved to be quite helpful. I listen to the Audiovisual Presentation with the Knowledge Transfer Outline in front of me. I also have a notebook in front of me to make notes about particular things I consider to be useful. Once I have done this, I go through that section of the book. I go through each section with a highlighter (and with my brain in sponge mode). After I feel like I have a good understanding of the material, I go back onto my Gleim Online account and complete quizzes and simulations. Once I have finished all of the work, I view my Performance Report.

After I finish a subunit, it’s not gone forever. At the end of my study plan, I have allotted approximately two weeks to review all the material and re-write notes that I have previously made. I find that I am able to retain the most information when I write things down.

I don’t feel comfortable about how much information there is to cover in such a short period of time. However, I do feel good about the study plan I’ve made for myself and the amount of resources that are available via my Gleim account. I really think I chose a great program to use to study for the exam!

 

Looking Back At My CPA Exam – It’s All About The Timing

October 25, 2012, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Christine L.

Taking all four parts of the CPA exam in four months is not how most people choose to do it, but for me, it was logical that I try. I didn’t have a job; scheduling conflicts forced me to push graduation out a semester, and graduating in the summer didn’t sound that exciting. So I tried it. I did it, and it was hard. It would have been hard no matter how I did it, but I it could have been easier had I known some things I know now.

I already had some things to say about academics, but really, the academics were not harder than my classes. It’s the volume of these things that makes them hard. It took me more hours than I thought it would. Some study units took more than six hours, some took less, but on day one, I didn’t know how it would add up. There are people who will tell you that you can do it in half of the hours I spent. Of course first-time pass rates for these exams are not real high, and you might wonder if there is some relationship between these two facts. I wanted to pass more than I wanted to spend my time elsewhere. That sort of contradicts the part where I wanted to pass all four parts in four months, and this was an issue. I was always chasing after myself—if I take a break now, will I be able to make it up tomorrow? Studying for hours was never a problem. The problem is that I had to keep each day’s hours reasonable if I wanted to keep going for four months, but I miscalculated because my experience with the first exam led me to underestimate how many hours I’d spend on the last exam.

I didn’t spend enough time on REG. What I would do now is to take all the Gleim sample tests for every part first, and stat with the one with the lowest score and work down. You’d have to vary this though, depending on when the blackout month(s) fall into your planned schedule.

The real lesson I took away from this is that passing the CPA exams has as much to do with your life, your job, your school schedule, and your finances as it does with all that intellectual stuff. If you’ve taken 150 hours of accounting courses and done well, you’ve proven that you can handle the material. What’s left is about discipline and concentration and an awful lot of just keeping at it. Plan it out, think it through, know yourself, and let the test prep take care of itself.