Are you hoping to get your CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license soon? You’ve probably already started preparing for the CPA exam. There are lots of digital resources out there that can help you. We’re going to run through the key ones available and share some tips on getting the most from them.
What Does the CPA Exam Require?
The CPA consists of four separate exams or sections. Each of these takes four hours to complete. The sections are:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Regulating (REG)
You need to take all four sections within 18 months.
You can take the CPA exam at authorized centers in the USA, as well as in selected international locations. Your exam fees vary depending on where you choose to be licensed.
What Digital Resources Are There?
The good news is that there are lots of digital resources available to help you pass the CPA. You can easily access these from your own home.
These resources include:
CPA Review Courses
There’s a wide variety of CPA review courses available on the market, with something available to suit you, however you prefer to learn. Some courses include flashcards to help you memorize key concepts, for instance – and almost all courses will offer video lessons plus lots of practice questions.
Tip: Read reviews of the courses. Don’t necessarily pick the top-rated one – make sure you’re choosing a course that has the features that you will find most helpful.
CPA Sample Exams
Most review courses offer loads of sample questions, but you can also find practice exam questions available elsewhere to try out. These are a great way to make sure you’ve taken in the information that you’ve been learning. They also give you a chance to try out crucial exam technique skills, like managing your time during an exam.
Tip: Take as many practice papers or do as many practice questions as you can. Try to simulate exam conditions (don’t stop and look things up, or take lots of breaks).
Forums and Online Groups
There are also plenty of forums and online groups available. For instance, you might want to join a Facebook group for students studying for the CPA. You may even want to create your own support group, if you already know others who are looking to take their CPA exams.
Tip: Use your group to help in two key ways: with questions that you’re stuck on, and with accountability. For instance, you might start a forum thread or post in a Facebook group to tell others about your studying goals for the week.
Digital Tools to Help You Focus
It can be tough to focus when you’re studying remotely. You might feel lonely or isolated, or you might find that you just can’t seem to concentrate for long.
Some people think that focus is just a matter of willpower – or even that procrastination is pretty much inevitable. But if you want to be more focused when you’re studying, there are lots of digital tools and resources that can help you.
Two great things to try are:
Browser extensions that block distracting websites. There are lots of different extensions and apps you can use, such as StayFocusd for Chrome.
Time tracking software. If you feel like you’re at your computer studying all day, and yet you don’t seem to be getting much done, try an app like RescueTime. You may find that you’re spending a lot more time on social media or news websites than you realize.
By choosing the right CPA review course, trying plenty of practice questions, getting support with your studies, and focusing well, you’ll be sure to pass your CPA – easily.
Featured Image: Scott Graham, Unsplash.
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