NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

You asked for it and now you have it -- a faster turnaround for exam scores

The AICPA just announced the new Q1 and Q2 2012 exam scores reporting timeline. 

If you sat for the exam anytime from Day 1 through Day 20 of the first quarter testing window, your scores will be released 11 business days following day 20 of the testing window -- February 6.  If you sat in days 21-45 of the testing window, your scores will be released 6 business days following day 45 of the testing window - February 22.  

For the complete timeline visit

http://blog.aicpa.org/2012/01/2012-cpa-exam-score-release-timetable-q1q2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AicpaInsights+%28AICPA+Insights%29

No more Exams left - I just hope "This is it"

Hello Everyone,

So I took my FAR exam today at a center 2.5hrs away from home just to get a center open on Sunday.The Regulation exam I worked so hard to pass would technically expire by Midnight 2/1/12. So what's it gonna be? Pass or back to the drawing board again.

 I gazed at the computer screen so hard that I had a headache after the exam; I took my time to answer every question; I pleaded with the God's of the CPA exam to let me pass or hit 75. I hope they answer (lol).

I am not looking forward to score release next month, I really do feel like someone who has finished by just cannot get excited yet. It's really been a long journey, but I believe "this is it"

Good Night everyone,

Ed

Study?

What's that again?  All jokes aside, I'm feeling pretty strapped for time.  After working longer hours and weekends, traveling, and keeping my apartment in a half decent state, it's easy to feel like there's no time left in the day.  Many of you can relate.

I'm loving CPA Review for Free right now.  It's easy to jump in the site and complete 5-15 questions when you have a few extra minutes, and the explanations are really thorough.

I'm still waiting for my BEC score, feels like it's been an eternity.  Audit is in 10 days, and I feel like I'll never be prepared in time.  But, the other day I was reading an article on one of the CPA Exam forums and it was all about how being optimistic can have a big impact on your performance.  So, even if I don't finish any formal study program, I am just going to stay positive and hope that what I learned in school and on the job will help supplement what I've found time to review over the 4 short weeks I had to study for this exam.

Good luck to everyone testing this window! Stay positive!

 

Count Down!!

Hello Everyone,

Its count down to my FARE exam, I feel like a hunter with just one bullet left. Am I going to have to re-take Regulation.....No way, I ponder over this every day, and I just need to stop. My work load is not getting lighter, and this is not the time to take days off, due to our work season. The other night, I walked into the wall without paying attention. Is the CPA exam making my life unbearable ---"Yes", I honestly feel so, I feel like I need to know the whole of the text book to pass, but guess what....I am going to feel good about the exam when I write it, and feel like throwing up once I hear that scores are out. Two things would be on my mind, "Is is over? or Is it going to be another summer of studing" I just hope "No".

On my way to work today, the state police stopped me and said I was doing 90 miles on a 65. I told the cop I was just not feeling good, he asked me what was wrong, I told him I had a lot on my mind including my CPA exams...He said, he understands, because his brother had the same struggle with his exams before he passed them all... I just smiled, he gave me a warning, and told me to take it easy.

Do go speeding with this line "you would get a ticket  :)"

Cheers and talk to you all soon, let me know how you feel, we are all in this together.

Ed A.

 

Rough Times

Hello Everyone,

I know its been some time, but before I start writing my thoughts, I would like to welcome the new bloggers on board. The CPA exam is indeed a journey. So very unfortunate for me, I had a horrible Holiday break. I lost to the hands of death my dearest mum. I tell you all, I was messed up for a couple of weeks. I was to sit for my FARE Exam when I got the news, and my day was just messed up.

My Parents live overseas in Nigeria, I had to go out there in a short notice for the funeral, my air fare cost me $3,500 and to add to my sorrows I did not pass my exam. Now I have to deal with the loss, and figure out how to pass my exams and still remain calm. To add more hot sauce to the whole situation, I was in the middle of our Interim Audit for busy season.

I felt my world was coming to an end, no one could comfort me, not even my wife and 2 little kids. Here I am on the verge of loosing my Regulation credit on January 31st 2012.

Not to bore you with my personal situation, I just want to let you all know that I am back to work for busy season. I wake up at 3am to study till 6am, I hit the gym from 6.30 - 7.15am before I get ready for my 11 hour days. I have my exam scheduled for the 29th of this month.

I say all this to say that the CPA exam is do-able in 2012, I am very optimistic that I would pass this month, and not have to loose my REG credit.

Keep your head up, and remember that its now how long it took you to pass, but "Are you a CPA"

Good luck

Ed. A

Tax: Week 2

I am into week two of tax season.  Nothing really has changed yet, except coming into the office on Saturdays.  The firm is utilizing the Saturday’s in January to train the new staff in tax work. 

 

In the world of studying, I have been really pushing myself to study a little bit at a time, even using my half of my lunch hour to squeeze in some book time.  Every little bit helps.

 

This weekend is my (our) engagement party.  We have been planning the dinner event for about three months, looking forward to sharing the night with my friends and family.  Our next big event would most likely be the purchasing of our home or the wedding; depending how everything falls in line.

 

Additionally, I have started a web forum for golf.  A project that I wanted to start for some time but needed to put my hands to work.  It is still in the start up phase but with any luck (and a little work) it just might grow into a decent size forum.

The Long Wait

Hi all,

I hope everyone is excited for busy season! Ok, maybe not excited, but at least optimistic about gaining valuable experience and learning new things.

I took my BEC exam on Friday and I'm feeling okay about it. I stressed over my REG performance and ended up passing, so I am not going to worry about it as much this time around. However, this month of waiting is going to be excruciating .. especially because I have to start studying for AUD asap. I am sitting for that part on February 3rd, so after only a weekend break I'm back to the books.

Busy season is upon us, and that means less and less free time to study. I am going to try waking up an hour earlier and get some studying done every morning. Also, I have a few trips coming up so long flights are always good for listening to lectures.

Does anyone have some tips on how to handle busy season and cramming? Maybe someone who has been through their first busy season can offer me some other tricks I haven't considered.

Happy studying,
Alyssa

P.S. I know everyone is super busy, but if you get a chance please check out my article in the e-Young CPA newsletter. Here is the link: http://njscpa.org/career/article/2012/01/04/my-first-real-job

First Tax Season

Hello all!!!

Wishing you a Happy New Year!  May this be the year we add three letters to the back end of our names. 

Just completed my first week of tax season.  In fact, today is my first Saturday working since September of 2006. 

Today, the firm is providing a training to everyone regarding 1099s.  Should be interesting.  Want to soak up as much as possible, as early as possible so I can shine when the going gets tough. 

Anyone else start their tax season hours yet?

MRD

Bring in 2012

Hey NJ,

Haven't been here in a little while, but good to be back. Hope everyone enjoyed a great holiday and New Years. So hopefully everyone's who is reading this blog has at least one resolution in common which I think we can all guess.....Pass the Exam! That is going to be a major focus for me this year and hopefully all of you as well.

On another note, busy season 2012 is starting now. This will be my second tax/audit season and there if there is one thing that I learned from last year it is to get PLENTY of rest! The more sleep the better. You may not feel tired in January or February, but come March it starts to catch up with is what unfortunately happened to me.

Also this week and next week will also be additional days of planning to have a nice smooth season. Someone once told me "better planning today makes a better days work tomorrow" and I believe its true. Try to plan your week and prioritize what needs to get done first. It will keep you busy and everyone around happy as well.

Until next time

CPA in 2012

Happy New Year! I absolutely love counting down to a new year. After all, unlike the ticking bombs and count downs to inevitable natural disasters in movies, the only thing we can be 100% sure of is that a new year will commence at midnight on January 1st. Oh, and that you WILL pass the CPA exam if you study! Ok, ok, I'm no comedian so I'll leave the jokes to Tim Gearty.


I am positive that most of us share a 2012 new year's resolution: Become a CPA this year! Personally, I only have 3 exams, 11 credits, and 9 months of work experience standing in my way. Totally daunting, yet totally doable.


I am sitting for BEC this Friday ... yikes! Let's just say that I did not follow my holiday study plan as well as I would have liked. Luckily, I did knock a big chunk of my material out before this long weekend, so I had a little room to slack off. I will definitely be pulling a few all-nighters this week, though, just to make sure I do not have to sit for this exam again. Well, my much-needed study break is now over, so back to the books!


Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2012!
Alyssa