CPA Review Courses

Julie Shenkman
Posted by in Accounting, Auditing & Tax


Every year, more than 100,000 accountants-to-be try their hand at the CPA Exam. They cannot bring anything to the 15½-hour, 2-day exam except a no. 2 pencil and all of the accounting knowledge they possess(they are given calculators at the exam for certain sections.) The exam, prepared by the Board of Examiners of the American Institute of CPAs, has been given for more than 80 years, though its contents are updated every year. In order to become a certified public accountant, all four sections of the exam must be passed. The CPA exam can be an intimidating experience, a time when one's professional future hangs in the balance. So what do test-takers do to increase their chances for success? Many take a CPA review course.

CPA review courses often last several months (some span more than 20 weeks). The material covered throughout the courses is built around actual questions from past CPA exams, and covers all 4 aspects of the national test: Business Law & Professional Responsibilities, Auditing, Accounting & Reporting and Financial Accounting & Reporting. Many available courses provide a mix of live, on-line, video, audio and print instruction, providing students with the chance to learn necessary material in a classroom environment as well as on their own.

So does all of this studying and learning in a class really improve your chances at passing the exam?

"Yes, CPA review courses do help," says a representative from the AICPA. The Yaeger Lambers CPA Review, a program in the Washington, D.C. metro area, advertises an 81 percent success rate for its students. The AICPA reports that the national average of passing grades is only about 30 percent.

Students at Becker Conviser, a national CPA Review company, pass at double the rate of students who don't take the Becker Conviser classes, according to the company website. And the students themselves applaud the classes they have taken. Mark's CPA Review Course, a California-based program, posts a growing list of testimonials on its website from past students.

"In my opinion, Mark's CPA Review Course played an essential role in helping me to achieve my goal of becoming a CPA," said one student.

When preparing for a test as significant and comprehensive as the CPA exam, it only makes sense to go beyond regular college accounting classes and personal study plans. CPA review courses provide a valuable benefit: the advantage of learning from someone who has been there before-and has been successful.

If you would like more information about CPA review courses, visit these websites:

Becker CPA Review - www.beckercpa.com
Bisk Publishing Company - www.bisk.com
Borra CPA Review call 301-365-7525
CPA Exam Review - www.cpaexamreview.com
Custom CPA Review - www.cpacourse4u.com
Gleim Publications - www.gleim.com/Accounting/CPA
Hoyle CPA ventures Inc. - www.hoylecpa.com
Kaplan CPA Review - www.kaplancpareview.com
Lambers CPA Review - www.lamberscpa.com
Mark's CPA Review - www.markscpareview.com (California-based)
Rigos Professional Education Programs - www.rigos.net
Tutorial Group, Inc. - www.tutorialgroup.com
Wiley CPA Exam Review - www.wiley.com
WiseGuides, Inc. - www.wiseguides.com
Yaeger Lambers CPA Review - www.yaegerlambers.com

You can also visit the following websites for more information on the CPA Exam:

American Institute of CPAs - www.aicpa.org
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy - www.nasba.org

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  • Tom Foolry
    Tom Foolry
    Yeah, like some of the other posters, I never knew that becoming an EA CPE would be so difficult! It's really giving me second thoughts on whether or not I should take the courses.
  • the ea cpe
    the ea cpe
    Knowing that the CPA exam is so rough gives me a greater appreciation for all the CPAs in the world. The ea exam was tough enough! I'm sure that the review course for the CPAs would be a great help, though.
  • Trying to become an ea cpe
    Trying to become an ea cpe
    I didn't realize that the CPA exam was so tough. I have a new appreciation for all the CPAs of the world now. I want to become an enrolled agent, and maybe, someday, when I get the guts, I will become a full-fledged CPA.
  • EA CPE fan
    EA CPE fan
    I agree with Gary if you are thinking about taking the CPA you definitely want to do the review for it. It's a long test, you will need all the help you can get. I would think the same would apply for the EA CPE course test as well. I've heard it's worth it though.
  • Rick
    Rick
    I recently just passed my enrolled agent exam by the skin of my teeth! I really wish I would have taken a review course. Everyone don't be stupid like me, do the course!
  • Jack D.
    Jack D.
    Thanks for this article; I've often wondered if these kinds of review courses are really worth it. The CPA exam is a rough road that's for sure, but I'm wondering if anyone offers any kind of classes that review for the exam that you have to take after the CPE course. I've heard it can be rough too.
  • Gary
    Gary
    I took the CPA exam last year and it was tough! It's super intense and long. But I'd say taking a CPA review course is the best action to ensure passing. I'm an EA CPE now so they really do work.

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