It's better to study FAR before Audit, that for sure.   You need to know how to find problems or errors by comparing the F/S and then do audit.  Last, understand impact and then recommend adjustment.  I think this is part of the "audit".  Therefore, you do need knowledge of financial accounting.  Take FARE first, then audit, BEC (give you a break) and REG.  Good luck.

Yes FAR is the easiest!!! :p

Well it all kinda depends on your previous work experience and knowledge is. If you have worked in financial accounting like i had a lot fo the material is not new to you at all. It is definitely time consuming to study for FAR but for me it was definitely not the hardest as it is for most people. here are levels of difficulty from hardest to easiest for me (my scores will say otherwise):

AUD

REG

FAR

BEC

VanSnootington wrote: I am just starting out with this whole CPA exam deal, and I am trying to decide which section to take first.  A couple of my sources told me recently that FAR was one of the easier sections.  Should I start with this section or a harder one?  Thanks.

Well, the advantage of starting with a difficult section is your 18 month period starts as soon as you pass a section.  So if there's a section you may find particularly difficult, you may want to start with that one so you don't lose time :)  But on the other hand, it is a boost to confidence and it definitely keeps you going once you are successful with a section, so in that regard, starting with an easier section is reasonable.  Not that any are easy :(, but people have areas they are stronger in or have a preference for.

Nothing in FAR is inherently difficult -->>> by itself.

But I would only consider FAR to be "easy" in the same way that drinking from a fire hose is "easy."