NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

Close but no cigar

Hey everyone. Hope this past weeks score release was a cause for celebration for many of you! Unfortunately I missed the mark on AUD by a measly two points. Womp womp.

A coworker of mine told me you used to get a 69 or 75 and no score in between. I almost wish it was still like that because failing by one or two points is such a bummer! Has anyone else had a similar experience? On the bright side you know you will probably do fine with a little more studying. To be honest busy season does not make for easy studying and I didn't quite meet my goals. Feel free to comment if you have tips on managing long hours and studying.

Most CPAs I have spoken to failed at least one part of the exam. I think it's important to keep your head up and keep moving. I have heard that it is very easy to let one small set back become an excuse to give up all together or put the exam on the back burner. Don't do this! Think of it as a momentary defeat and let that push you to beat the exam in the next round.

Anyway I know it's hard to be that positive all the time. It's totally normal to feel a little disappointed, but give yourself a day or two and then knock it off! Call up your parents or significant other or other source of support and let them tell you how awesome you are and how you will surely succeed next time (thanks mom & dad!)

Until next time,
Alyssa

Its the busy season

Hey Jersey,

Happy Presidents' Day! Shout out to all us accountants who don't have the day off. So were half way through busy season (almost), but the second half is going to be the tough one. I'll be busy bouncing back and forth between Audits and tax returns so the key objective is to stay focused and organized. Coincidentally, we recently had an in house seminar at our firm about time management and productivity. The speaker's main point was when you pick something up, finish it before you put it down or at least get to a sensible stopping point if need be. This is essential especially when you’re doing a certain section of an audit or a tax return. Of course missing information is the number one reason that prevents us from finishing a job.  So a good point that was made was to do the sections or returns that have complete information first. This way you don't have to go back and try and figure out where you left off. 

Also I was scrolling through the app store on my iPad and found a few that can help for studying. Wiley has some study apps on each section of the test that's pretty useful. Around $30 per section, it’s a good way to jump-start your studying. 

Good luck all. Until next time

 

And you are sitting for the CPA exam - exactly why???

Because firms are still hiring.  See the good news below.

 

http://www.fins.com/Finance/Articles/SBB0001424052970204301404577171413207752408/Accounting-Firms-Are-Hiring

An update to share

I have some personal news to share. I left public accounting for a corporate accounting position. This new position was an opportunity that I could not pass up.

With this new position, I will use my new found time to my advantage to study for the CPA exam, which, honestly, was put on hold because of the long and rough hours I have been working in tax season. Which brings me to a question: What is your work schedule for tax season? I would love to hear your answers. Shoot me an email, michael.delorenzo@mikedelo.com.

 

MRD

Career Wisdom in 6 Words

When Smith magazine and consulting firm Mercer posed the question last year, "sum up in six words what you've learned so far about how to succeed in business", they received thousands of entries (see link below.)  This started me thinking (and that isn't always a good thing), about how individuals, who have passed some parts of the exam, could sum up in six words what they have learned so far.  Thoughts??

 

 http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/02/09/career-wisdom-in-just-6-words/?iid=SF_F_River