| Looking for ways to jumpstart your AICPA | | | | A considerable number of candidates opt for |
| exam review? First of all, I would like to | | | | home study nowadays because you can study at |
| congratulate you on making a very important | | | | the comfort of your home. Since AICPA |
| decision to pursue the prestigious and the most | | | | introduced the computerized format in 2004, a |
| recognized accounting qualification in the world. | | | | number of high-quality CPA exam review courses |
| Your next step is to plan your AICPA review and | | | | sprang up and everyone can access their courses |
| optimize your time and energy in passing this | | | | via the internet or DVD. |
| examination. | | | | Studying at home has the following benefits: |
| How should you start? I have three proposals for | | | | - You can save valuable time from unnecessary |
| you. | | | | commute |
| 1. Self Study | | | | - You can study anytime and anywhere (if you |
| Many CPA candidates possess a master's degree | | | | have a laptop and/or internet) |
| in accounting and in no doubt they are very | | | | - These courses are generally more affordable |
| knowledgeable in this field. If you are one of | | | | than live classes |
| them, you may consider studying for the CPA | | | | 3. Live classes |
| exam on your own. | | | | Live classes have the advantage of learning from |
| Before you dash out to buy a Wiley book, please | | | | fellow students and having your questions |
| ask yourself the following questions: | | | | immediately addressed. |
| - Are you good at both accounting and exam | | | | Becker, Lambers and Rogers are the main |
| tactics? This is critical because the CPA exam is | | | | players in this area. Becker CPA review is the |
| much more than a test on accounting knowledge | | | | most well known but it gets mixed views on its |
| - instead, the exam can get really tricky in the | | | | program, especially on the live classes. Lambers |
| multiple choice questions and not familiar with the | | | | CPA review is the biggest review course in New |
| exam's computerized format. | | | | England area. The company is relatively low-key |
| - Are you a very disciplined person? This is a | | | | and people do not talk about Lambers much. But I |
| tough exam and the accounting is not terribly | | | | would like to point out that Lambers review has |
| exciting in and of itself. Also, given the large | | | | an ipod version which I think is an excellent idea |
| amount of study materials, once you slack off it | | | | for busy candidates - just think of how you can |
| is very difficult to catch up. | | | | utilize the idle time during commute, between |
| - The Wiley book, which is probably the best | | | | meetings, or even between your children's naps! |
| unguided review books out there, can be | | | | Roger CPA review is relatively new but it has a |
| overwhelming. Since no one is going to highlight | | | | good reputation of lively, entertaining lectures. |
| the important points, you can easily get | | | | Roger Philip the founder is the only lecturer for |
| discouraged. | | | | the course and so the quality is guaranteed. The |
| If you are not sure whether self-study is the | | | | flip side is that since it is essentially a one-man |
| way to go, I suggest that you take a few sample | | | | band the response time to questions (via online |
| CPA questions from various websites and see if | | | | message boards) can get very slow. |
| you can get most of them right. If you | | | | These are just a small sample of courses you can |
| consistently score 70 or more (passing rate is | | | | pick for jumpstarting your AICPA review process. |
| 75), you can handle the CPA exam simply by | | | | As you can see, there are strengths and |
| doing a lot of practice tests and there is no need | | | | weaknesses in each program, and you have to |
| to consider any other AICPA review courses. | | | | choose the one that fits you the best. |
| 2. Home Study | | | | |