Auditing exam will shortly be over...in approximately 84 hours. I'd say I've got about 30 - 35 more hours of hardcore studying to do in that time frame if I want to walk out of the exam knowing I passed. I'm feeling slightly less confident at this point then I did for Reg, but based on the Reg score anyway, I'm hoping that should be OK. I took Tuesday off of work (the exam is Wednesday), and I'm thinking I may take Monday off too. Or since I brought my laptop home, I may even just try to work from home half the day Monday to force myself to get an early start on things and not kill a whole vacation day.
Out of all the exams, the Auditing material has been the driest and least interesting. It's also the one I think I get the least use out of the knowledge too - ironically enough. Already I've been able to use some of the info from the Regulation exam in my job - most specifically the 1940 Act and other security regulations. The Financial Accounting info has come in handy in more ways that I could name - I've participated in a lot of conversations concerning revenue recognition that I've felt confident asserting my opinion in. The Business exam material includes just such core knowledge that its integrated into almost everything I do at Merrill in one way or another. But Auditing? Not so far. The reporting standards and conventions are so nitpicky that if I did ever need them, I'd look in a reference guide. The auditing techniques seem useful - until you realize that every industry and every firm has their own conventions anyway. So Auditing exam so far = blah.
On a personal note, I did manage to get out one night this weekend so that I wouldn't go stir crazy studying. Ever heard of a place called Lolita's in Philly? It's incredible. It's just really really great Mexican food and margaritias - and even cooler, it's BYOT (Bring Your Own Tequila). If you need a place to celebrate passing your last exam or to relax before a weekend of intense studying , then I highly reccomend Lolita's. They don't take reservations but they will take your cell phone number when you put your name on the waiting list. A much better idea than the typical restuarant buzzers - we were able to head a few blocks away and hit up an Irish pub to pass the wait, without worrying about being out of reach and missing out on our table.
Tomorrow I've got a packed morning planned to get in all my weekend errands in one punch and then I'm dedicating the rest of the day to more studying. The morning's plans include pilates, going to the car wash, going to church, getting my hair trimmed (I never knew how high maintenance short hair was), and stopping off at the supermarket for some healthy snacks so that I can quit my recent ice cream addiction.
So not its not the most interesting of posts...but hopefully I'm keeping it real for you. Hanging in there. Getting through it. Pushing along. Can't wait for this to be over and done with. But the masachist I am - I've already got my sights set on what to do after the CPA. I'm looking into the CFA exam as well as possibly doing either law school or grad school part time. Am I crazy?? Anyway, I've loved hearing comments from all of you out there, so keep it coming.