CPA Exam

[Live4FW]

Has anyone recently taken the CPA exam?

Has anyone taken it after a long break from classwork (like 10yrs+)?

What did you do to prepare and how did you do?

Any suggestions?

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I took it 10 years ago immediately after finishing the classes, but I know now it is broken up so you don't have to do it all at once which should be a big help for you. Someone I work with is working on it now after being out of school for several years and is using some computer-based study guides. My two cents would be this--if you're smart enough to get the accounting degree back then, you're smart enough to do some studying and pass the exam now!

Another tip--make sure you still meet the qualifications for getting certified (no. semester hours, ethics class, etc) in your state.

Good luck!

 

[Live4FW]

Thanks,

One of the things prompting me to go back is that our state has changed the experience requirement from 5 yrs to 1 yr.

I was fortunate enough to at least get the full 5th year requirements when I finished school.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I took it 16 years after graduating school and had never worked in public accounting; I had 13 years as a American Red Cross Internal Auditor and had been Chief Auditor for Chapters and Blood Services.

When I decided to go for the certification I took a live instruction class with about 200 hours of classroom work in the three months preceeding the exam, and during that same time span probably another 600 hours going through the manuals and self-tests. I always had a book open when on the subway or in a restaurant by myself.

The hours spent did help; I passed the entire exam at the first sitting.