Dear all,

Need your valuable advice considering the following-

1) I am a full time working executive (senior position in accounts)
2) Have family with one kid
3) Need to balance my family life with professional life while pursuing my CPA
4) I have done my graduation in accounts+ CA-Inter + CMA (from IMA)

I need to know-

1) How much time (months/years) is required to complete CPA

2) How many months are required to prepare for one exam as I am planning to appear in one exam at a time.

3) Out of 4, which is the easiest exam? Any suggestions on the exam I should take first?

Thanks a lot in advance

Vic

Vic,  you've probably seen a lot of info on this site regarding your questions already.  A couple of points worth emphasizing:   You've got 18 months after you pass the first test to complete the other three.  That indicates the level of committment, expecially a working person needs to give this test.  I put in 6 months of studying to take the first test which was FAR, but I also was traveling all over the country doing internal audits at the same time.  Most of my studying was on weekends.  It's not number of months/years, it's hours upon hours of time that's needed.

Others will argue which test is the easiest.  It tends to depend on individual background.  Each test has it's arguments, but for me I would say from hardest to easiest:  FAR, AUD, REG, BEC.

Good luck

Hi Mcannon

First of all thanks for your reply.

Considering my qualification & experience, which state board will take me in-

CMA (IMA)
Accounts graduate
10 years of experience in accounts (5 years in a senior position)

Secondly- will they ask me to take additional qualifications(e.g. some tax courses) to qualify for registration?

Thanks a lot in advance

Vic

mcannon1104 wrote: Vic,  you've probably seen a lot of info on this site regarding your questions already.  A couple of points worth emphasizing:   You've got 18 months after you pass the first test to complete the other three.  That indicates the level of committment, expecially a working person needs to give this test.  I put in 6 months of studying to take the first test which was FAR, but I also was traveling all over the country doing internal audits at the same time.  Most of my studying was on weekends.  It's not number of months/years, it's hours upon hours of time that's needed. Others will argue which test is the easiest.  It tends to depend on individual background.  Each test has it's arguments, but for me I would say from hardest to easiest:  FAR, AUD, REG, BEC. Good luck