Published 04/25/2013 16:08:26 PM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:08:26 PM

What’s the Step-by-step CPA Exam Application Process?

The CPA exam application process varies slightly from state to state, but the majority of the steps are the same. If done properly, you can be approved and scheduled for your first exam within 4-6 weeks. However, if you forget one tedious piece of information, this can turn into a time-consuming pain. Here’s how to make sure you get it right:

1) Order and send in ALL official school transcripts
2) Fill out and submit your CPA exam application along with the CPA exam application fee
3) Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) from your State Board
4) Receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS) from NASBA
5) Go to the Prometric website and schedule your exam(s)
6) Take your exam!

Read full tip from Bryce Welker on CRUSHtheCPAExam.com.

Tags: Exam Scheduling

Published 02/14/2013 15:13:04 PM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:10:12 PM

How can I do jump start my study program?

Follow these tips to make every hour count

Okay, let’s say you’re planning a hike. Let’s say it’s to the top of Mount Everest. You’re not going to wait to pack until the last minute, right? Of course not. In fact, you’re going to be putting yourself through some hardcore training long before you buckle your seatbelt on the flight to Nepal. You’re going to have a master plan. A strategy. On everything from when to make the climb, to which preparatory exercises come closest to the real thing, to the gear you’re going to bring, and a hundred other really important details.

And like that not-so-quick trip up to the top of Everest, the CPA exam takes a fair amount of careful preparation – at least for mere mortals. Here are some study tips that can help.

 

Know your strengths: Confidence is good, but so is honesty. Know where you’re good – and where you need to improve. From there, you can design a study plan that works harder for you.

Write out a plan: What are you going to study, how are you going to study, and when? Maybe it’s all in your head, but it can’t hurt to write it all out to make sure you stick to the plan.

Use the free stuff: You can spend a lot of money getting ready for the exam. Which is perfectly fine. But don’t overlook the totally free tutorials, sample exams and other tools. After all, we make the test.

Get a lucky charm or something: Hey, whatever works. We’re not above superstition.

Ask friends and family for some breathing room: You’re probably going to have to spend some weeknights studying for the exam, and even some weekend days. So the people around you need to make sure they give you enough room to succeed. So when you say “no, I really have to study this Sunday rather than go to the Super Bowl,” they understand. Otherwise, friends and family with the best intentions can really get in the way. Just remind them – and yourself – that this won’t last forever.

Practice: Sometimes the most basic study rules are the best ones. This old gem is still totally relevant for the CPA exam.

Tags: CPA Exam, Exam preparation

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:20:45 PM

I feel somewhat uneasy about writing. How can I write a solid memo for the BEC written communication requirement?

Some people flat-out fear the written communication requirement of the CPA Exam. For some, they just don’t think they’re a good writer. For others, if they are an International candidate, or English is their second language and they worry about this requirement. The written communication section for BEC is 15% of a candidate’s overall score, so let’s go over some pointers on how to maximize your score potential for this area.

1. Your written communication starts with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is the main point of the entire memo. Price elasticity of demand is a confusing topic that causes many CPA Exam candidates trouble on exam day. There is your thesis. I spelled out exactly what the memo is about. I follow the thesis with a few supporting statements. Candidates often fail to remember the correlation between total revenue and demand elastic goods. Similarly, the correlation between total revenue and demand inelastic goods is also easily mistaken.
2. The second part of memo is the body. This is where you support your thesis statement. It is often very difficult to remember that when demand for a good is inelastic and the price is raised, total revenue goes down. Conversely, when demand for a good is elastic and the price is raised, total revenue goes up. CPA Exam candidates have trouble keeping these relationships in check and not getting them confused.
3. Finally, you recap your thesis point with a conclusion. In closing, CPA Exam candidates often struggle with price elasticity of demand, but if they can remember the relationship between total price and elasticity of demand, they will have success on exam day.
4. This is optional, but I always ended my CPA Exam written communications with: Sincerely, Jeff Elliott, CPA I wanted the graders to picture me as a future CPA, so I tried to look the part.
5. If you found yourself confused or shaking your head at what I wrote in #2, you are correct. I intentionally switched around the relationships between elasticity, price increases, and total revenue. My statements were wrong, but it doesn’t matter — the exam doesn’t grade for technical accuracy. I wrote a solid memo, used good key words, and didn’t have any misspellings or grammatical errors. A+. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: BEC, Written Communication Sims

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:19:05 PM

I need to get licensing and reciprocity information quickly about three different states. Where should I go?

There is one place that has all of this info and it’s run by NASBA. https://www.alllibrary.com/ A usage fee will apply, depending on what package you sign up for. The consolidated info will be well-worth it if it saves you from poking around on three different state websites that look like they were designed in 1996. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: License

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:18:35 PM

Why is FAR so hard?

Most students agree that the amount and variety of information you need to remember makes this test the trickiest. The FAR exam will test your knowledge of general accounting principles — Capital leases, bonds and balance sheets —but also your dedication and time management.By Roger CPA Review.

Tags: FAR

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:17:36 PM

My 18-month window is coming to a close and I’m about to lose credit for one of my passed sections. What if I take my exam, but don’t get my score back for several weeks? Will I lose my credit?

This could quite possibly be the #1 question that I get asked on a monthly basis. If your 18-month window expires April 30th, you need to walk into your testing center and sit for your exam before that date. It doesn’t matter when you get your score. What matters is when you physically took your exam. Oh, and you need to have passed it too.

Bottom line: sit for your exam prior to your 18-month window expiring. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: 18-Month Window, Exam Scheduling

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:15:57 PM

ARGH! I didn’t click “Done” before my exam time lapsed and my session shut down. Did my answers get saved?

This happens to a lot of people! It happened to me on more than one occasion — including my REG exam where I scored a 92. Don’t worry — if you didn’t click “Done” your exam should have still been saved. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: Exam Day

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 01/04/2012 06:03:02 AM

What should I do to expedite the certificate & licensing process once I pass?

This is something that I had to figure out on my own. Once you pass your fourth and final section, simply go to your state board of accountancy website and download all of their PDFs for getting your certificate/license (if applicable). Fill them out, write a check, and mail it in. Don’t wait for them to take their sweet time in sending some packet to you. Chances are you can send them the forms and get the process rolling before they even slap the postage on your envelope. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: BEC, Certificate, License

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:16:26 PM

5 Tips for Exam Day

1. Sleep
2. Completely understand the exam-day process
3. Arrive to the exam early
4. Watch the clock!
5. Be confident in your ability to pass the test

Read full tip on the Roger CPA Review blog.

Tags: Exam Day

Published 12/02/2011 11:01:39 AM | Updated 04/25/2013 16:13:51 PM

The IT section of BEC is giving me problems. I don’t work in IT. I don’t ever want to work in IT. I just want to pass this exam. What is the best way to learn this information?

IT is a bear on Business Environment and Concepts. My #1 piece of advice and it is what I would personally do (and personally did) is to work every multiple choice I.T. question in the Wiley book the afternoon before your exam. Start after lunch and just start cranking on MCQs and don’t stop until you’re done. Read every single answer explanation to every problem — not only the correct answer but also why the other three are incorrect. From CPA Exam Survival Guide: 50 Things You Must Know? © 2011 By Jeff Elliot, CPA.

Tags: BEC