Which CPA exam should I take first?

Starting with FAR will give you a stronger foundation into the reporting elements prior to taking the BAR section which will then build up your general knowledge as you go into AUD and REG.

What order should I take the new CPA Exam?

Our general recommendation is to take FAR first, because it requires the most hours of study. Since the 18-month window to complete all four sections begins after the first exam part is passed, this in turn will prevent students from having to give any of their crunch time towards the massive FAR section.

Should I take BEC or audit first?

Here's our pro tip: If you're aiming to finish in 9 months, do FAR in the first window. Then, do AUD or REG in the second quarter paired with BEC (based on your strengths: tax or audit). Finally, in the third window, aim for the remaining part, AUD or REG.

Should I take Reg or far first?

Regardless of which Discipline you select, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is the best exam to take first because it strengthens your foundation in financial accounting which will help on all exams.

Which CPA Exam is easiest?

What is the easiest part of the CPA exam? BEC has the highest pass rate and is considered the easiest CPA exam section.

2024 CPA Exams: Which Section to Take First?

Which CPA exam is hardest?

The FAR section of the CPA exam is hard because it's the most comprehensive of the 4 exam sections, and it has a lot of math questions that are mentally taxing to get through. It has the lowest pass rate of all 4 exam sections and is considered the hardest CPA exam section.

Will 2024 CPA be easier?

What has changed in the 2024 CPA Exam? The 2024 CPA Exam has moved to a Core-Plus-Discipline Model which requires candidates to be skilled in a strong core based on accounting, auditing, and tax, as well as one discipline.

Why is far the hardest CPA exam?

Most students agree that the amount and variety of information you need to remember makes this test the trickiest. The FAR exam will test your knowledge of general accounting principles Capital leases, bonds and balance sheets but also your dedication and time management. Study up a Storm.

Which state is easiest to get CPA?

Colorado Requirements Overview:

It does not require 150 hours to sit. With no requirement to be a US Citizen, a resident of CO, or a certain age, it makes Colorado one of the easiest states to sit for the CPA exam and become licensed.

How many hours to study for CPA reg?

How long to study for the REG exam? The amount of time that you should dedicate to Regulation (REG) is really dependent on your familiarity with taxation laws, but the AIS-CPA recommends studying for between 90-110 hours beforehand.

Why is BEC considered the easiest CPA exam?

In addition to the fact that it covers the least material and is of the shortest of the four exam sections, BEC also does not have any simulation questions; however, it does contain 3 written communication questions.

Is BEC the hardest CPA exam?

BEC has the highest passing rate. A lot of candidates consider it the least difficult of the 4 sections. It's one of the shorter exams: 3 hours long, with 3 MCQ testlets (24 questions each), and 3 written communication questions. BEC is the only exam that has the written communication questions.

Which CPA exam to take before 2024?

If you are unable to complete all exam sections before 2024, we still recommend starting with BEC, which will replace a discipline requirement. Surgent recommends taking your discipline exam immediately following the core section associated with it: FAR > BAR, AUD > ISC and REG > TCP.

Which CPA Exam is the hardest 2024?

Among the three core sections, FAR has a reputation for being the hardest, and it typically has the lowest pass rate. AUD and REG tend to be middle of the road.

How many pass CPA Exam first time?

The overall pass rate for each section of the CPA exam hovers around 50%, but how many people manage to pass all four sections on the first try? About 20%. Around 1 in 2 people will pass a specific section of the exam, and about 1 in 5 people will pass each section on their first try.

How to pass CPA Exam first try?

What state pays CPAs the most?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paying states for CPAs in the U.S. are the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California, with average salaries ranging from $89,000 to $105,000 per year.

Is the CPA Exam harder than the bar?

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

Which state has least requirements for CPA?

Only a handful of states allow candidates to become CPAs without an accounting degree; these are Hawaii, Maine, Alaska, Massachusetts and Georgia. In all other states, you'll have to have at least your Bachelor's of Accounting.

Is accounting or nursing harder?

The classes and techniques you learn during a nursing program are less likely to be familiar. This may present a challenge for some students, but others can take to the new field naturally and may find it to be easier than the advanced mathematics of an accounting degree.

Which CPA exam is changing in 2024?

The 2024 version of the CPA exam eliminates the business environment and concepts (BEC) section and transitions some portions of FAR and REG into the new disciplines. Since the BEC section was the only one to include a written essay, the essay portion is eliminated from the 2024 CPA exam.

Why do so many people fail CPA exams?

Poor preparation! That leads us to the next common CPA Exam mistake. You'll spend over 400 hours (about 2 and a half weeks) of your life studying for the CPA Exam. One of the biggest mistakes made by CPA candidates is not creating an effective study schedule that helps to manage those hours within your testing window.

Are CPAs in decline?

The AICPA/CIMA 2022 Annual Report (https://tinyurl.com/2p8jzfsp) reveals a 7% decrease from 2021 to 2022 for the total number of candidates taking the CPA exam.

What age are most CPAs?

The average age of a CPA in the US is 52-53 years old. Given that many accounting firms mandate a retirement age of 65 or 66, this suggests most CPAs are set to retire within the next decade or two. This gap is exacerbated by a growing demand for accounting and finance professionals.

Can you finish CPA in 3 months?

With Surgent CPA Review, passing the entire CPA Exam in three months is achievable. While many CPA Review courses tout adaptive learning, they encourage learners to go through each course section, regardless of the learner's background knowledge.