Most CPAs recommend taking some sort of review course in preparing for the CPA exam. While many people have successfully passed the exam by studying on their own, such a feat requires a high level of self-discipline. The revised exam's new format does make it easier to prepare for and take the exam, since most states now allow candidates to take one part of the exam at a time, but the exam's modified form and content reflects an expanded range of business topics and requires a more analytical approach to problem solving. So candidates must take extra care to ensure they understand the material and are adequately prepared for the test.
CPA review courses are a great way to impose this discipline, and they often provide their own little tricks to help you study certain parts of the exam. There are many different organizations that provide CPA review services. Some public accounting firms will subsidize your preparation costs or otherwise facilitate your preparations in some manner. Some of the more well-known CPA review courses are as follows:
Becker Conviser CPA Review. This is the most recognized review course among current CPAs. It was one of the first CPA review courses established, with over 40 years of experience. According to Becker, students who complete their course pass the exam at double the rate of non-Becker students and approximately one-third of all new CPAs are Becker CPA Review alumni. Becker offers four options to prepare for the exam: 1) interactive live instruction in Becker's multimedia classrooms (classes begin 4 months before the exam), 2) online instruction, 3) a self-paced CD ROM course, or 4) a 5- week intensive course. For schedules and registration, go to www·beckerconvisor·com or call 800-868-3900.
Kaplan CPA Review. Provides an online CPA course, providing students with flexibility, unlimited access and allows you to study at your own pace. For details, go to www·kaptest·com or call 800- CPA-2DAY.
MicroMash CPA Review. Provides you with a CPA course tailored to your weaknesses using "The MicroMash Way." The course provides online tools and printed review textbooks for additional study. MicroMash simulates the exam, with full-text answers and remedial help for all questions. The Homework Help Hotline provides staff CPAs and professors to answer questions promptly. MicroMash guarantees you will pass the exam next time you sit. This is the course of choice of most of the large accounting firms. For information, go to www·passmatrix·com or call (800) 272-7277.
Other companies that provide CPA review courses are:
| Course | Phone | Web Information |
| Accounting Institute Seminars | (800) 635-9442 | www·AIS-CPA·com |
| Gleim CPA Review | (800) 87-GLEIM | www·gleim·com |
| Lambers CPA Review | (800) 272-0707, (978) 685-5002 | www·lamberscpa·com |
| Rigos CPA Review | (800) 636-0716; (206) 624-0716 | www·rigosrev·com |
| Bisk CPA Review | (800) 404-7231 | www·cpaexam·com |
| Wiley CPA Review | (800) 272-2100 (orders only) | www·wiley·com/cpa·html |
| Wise Guides, Inc. | (800) 713-2098, (216) 673-1616 | www·wiseguides·com |
There are a few key factors in taking the exam:
1) Make sure that you get the testing site that you want for the exam. To do this, register early, especially if you live in a highly populated area, so you can take the exam as soon as possible after completing your chosen method of review.
2) The week of the exam, get lots of rest, take a day off from studying, eat well. Pretend the morning of the exam is like any other morning and don't get too stressed out.
Another interesting recommendation we heard quite often: "Go for the Pass." In other words, while your competitive nature might lead you to try to get a high grade, your focus should be on simply passing. As one Big Four auditor explains, "There is no difference between a 75 and a 95 - the 75 certifies you just as well as the 95 does. It is one of the only exams you'll ever take where a 75 is just as satisfying as a 95, if not more so since you know you didn't over-study and go overboard." The gist of this suggestion is that the exam is difficult enough without killing yourself trying to cram every last bit of information into your head. On the CPA exam, grades don't matter - passing is the only thing that matters, and you should plan your preparation accordingly.
Required Work Experience
Most states or jurisdictions require two years of public accounting audit experience for certification. The two years is a general guideline and is based on the number of hours worked on audits you've performed.
For auditors, the work experience requirement is fulfilled rather quickly as they spend virtually all of their work time on audits. For public accounting tax professionals, certification can take five years or longer since not all of their activities represent qualifying audit hours (for example, preparing a tax return is generally not considered audit work and does not count toward the CPA requirement).
Many states will also accept non-public accounting experience, but the number of years required is typically much higher, in some states as long as 15 years. It should be noted that some states, such as Maryland, do not have any work experience requirement and only require the fulfillment of education guidelines and the passing of the CPA exam. You should check with the board of accountancy of the state in which you'll be practicing to find out that state's exact work experience requirements.