CPA Exam

Honestly how much more planning do you need to do? Are you making a lot of stuff for your wedding? If I were you I would just continue with school while everything is still fresh in your brain. Also, if you put it off you may just have another excuse as to why you push it off again, if you know what I mean.

I've had two good friends take the CPA exam here in Canada. They both did their studying for the exam over the summer holidays (June, July and August) and wrote the exam in September. One friend passed it first time around, other friend had to re-take it the following year, but passed it.

I think you'll be fine with starting your studying in June.

Personally, I'd dive right in so that you don't lose the discipline of making study time that you had from school. When I finished my MBA (and was working full-time), I felt like I had nothing to do -- I was so used to running from work to school, and with just work I felt like I had a lot of free time. That feeling went away very quickly and if I had to get back into study mode now it would be very hard.

Not sure about your state, but it sounds like you can take all the parts separately, so I would do what you planned -- Audit in April, FAR in June. Do you think Audit will be the easiest section for you? I would take whichever you think would be easiest (not that any of them are easy) now and then progress to the more difficult ones after the wedding.

I really don't have that much more planning to do. Just invitations. I'm making the centerpieces, but I can do that a couple weeks before the wedding (after the exam). The only reason I'm concerned is I work full time & I've heard you should put in 25 hours a week studying. I don't want to half ass it because it's freaking expensive. I guess I'm worried wedding stuff will interfere?

@Tiffany I wish I had summer break still or I'd be doing the same thing!

I've bought the materials! I chose CPA Excel. I decided to wait until after the wedding to begin studying and here's why:

CPA exam takes great discipline and lots of hours of studying.

I knew I couldn't FULLY commit myself to studying when I'm inbetween vendors meeting, emails, little DIY's and planning/putting everything together.

IT'S EXPENSIVE. I do not want to pay to take the exam, not be able to put in the required amount of studying and therefore not be prepared, and have to pay to take it AGAIN...

But, I'm going to have trouble mustering up the discipline to do it anyway... I need prayers. Lots of prayers.

I'm doing Becker (paid for by my firm) and it is a HUGE help. But working full time 40+ hours, with busy season (70+ hours) being in the spring may dampen the urge to study in your free time.

Its a huge pain to work and study

It may help to dive right in and take one section though since you are used to studying for college. It is hard to not study and then to pick it back up again

@Rayy-chull - I am right there with you on the needing prayers part. It's going to suck. I'm looking at Becker & Yaeger as possible review programs. Haven't heard of CPA Excel but I'll have to check it out!

I've got material too, but I'm waiting. Same reasons as Rayy_chull. That sucker is expensive and study will be time consuming and I don't want to waste ANY money!

Well I would have loved to do Becker, but I couldn't spend the money I am too much of a tight-wad. And CPA Excel came with a Kindle haha also e-books. A while back they had a promo where you got an iPad mini with the order. Sweet!

I took Becker as part of my MBA program. Unfortunately, going to school, studying, and working full time did pan out so well for studying. I graduated in May and can't wait to get back into studying. We're getting married in April and I am waiting until our return from our honeymoon to get back into it. I'll be doing the self study since I have all the course materials. It's definitely a tough test and i'll need all the time i can get to study!! So much information to absorb! Good luck!!