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Kfan
Major Contributor

Joined: 02 Oct 2009
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Posts: 861

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 at 11:53 \| IP Logged

I think that the accounting gods have decided that you score just slightly better than me on each section, Boise. I predict that you get an 86 on REG!

__________________
Licensed CPA

BEC-10/3/09 77
REG-10/9/09 84
AUD-11/19/09 78
FAR-11/24/09 88
Yaeger Review

ael719
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Regular

Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 125

Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 08:26 \| IP Logged

Weakest FAR 2009 Sections I have viewed so far:

Module 9 - Inventory - Michael, the lecturer, basically reads word for word from the Wiley book (There is a free update provided by Phil is much better, skip this on the DVD and just use the online one)
Module 11D - Pensions - This is by far the most confusing of the videos because of the typos/errors in Wiley. Phil lacks attention to detail and doesn't explain concepts very well. (There is an update video for this, but it only goes over the typos in the Wiley book. Stop watching the 2nd video after 42:00 minutes because everything on the Simulation after that is incorrect.)
Module 12 - Accounting for Income Taxes - Phil doesn't break down the material or explain concepts very well. I was weak in this area and had to use my college textbook and other materials for clarification.

Those are the sections that I have gone through so far. Cindy does a great job at breaking down the material and quickly explaining each concept/topic. Phil is OK at best, he's only a little bit better than the other 2 lecturers, Gary and Michael.

I've read that Modules 13 and 14 are weak sections, but Yaeger has posted updates that can replace them? So I'm probably not even going to bother with the lecturers on my DVD and only watch the online updates for those modules.

ael719
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Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Location: United States
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Posts: 125

Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 09:32 \| IP Logged

Oh yeah, after watching FAR disks 1 to 7 (there are total of 14 disks) I've noticed an inconsistency among lecturers. It seems like the 4 lecturers do not talk to each other or watch each others videos. Each lecturer has his/her own presentation and format style. I figure that each lecturer is given a topic to present and then they film their videos on their own. Then after receiving enough calls about a certain topic, they do a clarification video.

Cindy is the best lecturer because of her attention to detail and how she organizes/breaks down her videos. Each of her videos follow the same format: Review keywords, give required Homework questions, introductory topic explanation, detailed explanation of key topics that follow the Wiley book reading, and finally some multiple choice question/simulation and answers explanations (usually mpc's are mixed in between topics). The BEST thing about Cindy is that she always makes sure to explain the journal entry (recognition), valuation/measurements, and presentation in the financial statements which helps with linking concepts across modules and for understanding "why" things are. She references the Income Statement/Balance sheet presentations on page 128 and 132 about a 100 times throughout all her videos. Cindy answers most of the questions I can come up with in her lectures.

The other lecturers go at their own pace and kind of assume you have a basic understanding of the topic that doesn't need clarification. It is rare for the other lecturers to breakdown a topic from the journal entry and link it to financial statement presentation as well as Cindy does in her videos. The other lecturers simply do a quick overview of the Wiley book and answer multiple choice questions in between. They rarely ever explain "why" things are and instead kind of just give answer explanations similar to how the Wiley book reads. I usually have to refer to my old textbook and other sources for clarification and detailed understanding of the basic topics.

BTW, I know it sounds like I'm being very nitpicky, but Yaeger is still a great review program for the price. It'd be impossible to cover every topic or tidbit of information on the FAR exam. The videos provide a great foundation and structure. If I'm not understanding a module after watching the video, I will usually read the Wiley a couple of times and then it becomes much easier to follow along with the videos and keep up with the other 3 lecturers pace.

I've been thinking ditching my Yaeger HS Audit review because I've only heard terrible things about that section. From what I've sampled on the FAR section, I do not like the lecturer's, Gary, presentation style.. The only thing holding me back is $$$!

Boise
Major Contributor

Joined: 02 Oct 2009
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Posts: 403

Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 13:09 \| IP Logged

ael719 wrote:

Weakest FAR 2009 Sections I have viewed so far:

Module 9 - Inventory - Michael, the lecturer, basically reads word for word from the Wiley book (There is a free update provided by Phil is much better, skip this on the DVD and just use the online one)
Module 11D - Pensions - This is by far the most confusing of the videos because of the typos/errors in Wiley. Phil lacks attention to detail and doesn't explain concepts very well. (There is an update video for this, but it only goes over the typos in the Wiley book. Stop watching the 2nd video after 42:00 minutes because everything on the Simulation after that is incorrect.)
Module 12 - Accounting for Income Taxes - Phil doesn't break down the material or explain concepts very well. I was weak in this area and had to use my college textbook and other materials for clarification.

There are some clarification vids on the Yaeger site that should help with pensions and the lectures that Michael does. I admit, he's awful. I would just not watch him and watch the clarification lectures.

I would hope for Cindy with every vid I put in and be mildly disappointed if it was Phil and miserable if it was one of the other two.

__________________
FAR 11/23: 90
AUD: 1/5: 79
REG: 2/20: 91
BEC: 4/3: 82

Boise
Major Contributor

Joined: 02 Oct 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 403

Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 13:09 \| IP Logged

Kfan wrote:

I think that the accounting gods have decided that you score just slightly better than me on each section, Boise. I predict that you get an 86 on REG!

Thanks! I hope your right.

__________________
FAR 11/23: 90
AUD: 1/5: 79
REG: 2/20: 91
BEC: 4/3: 82

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