CPA training changes with the times. And as the landscape surrounding the CPA exam review continues to evolve, following technological and financial forces, you have to keep up with CPA exam requirements to get the credentials you seek and advance your financial career. The CPA review industry should be followed closely so that you can remain competitive and find the right CPA exam review to help you with the process.

Follow the trends that are affecting CPA exam training in a variety of ways. Read CPA examination publications that can keep you updated with news and information. Subscribe to white papers and CPA exam preparation articles. Take advantage of CPA trade groups that keep members apprised of news and trends. Look for CPA exam news and trends in a number of ways.

1. Get email alerts and CPA exam review newsletters

2. Participate in associations for CPA training

3. Subscribe to magazines for CPA classes

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get on email lists about CPA exam review trends

Set up a separate email account to get email alerts, RSS feeds and industry newsletters that will send you news as it happens, the latest trend pieces and information about what the major industry players are up to. Check this email daily so you don't miss out on important news.

I recommend: Keep up with news and emerging issues through the CPA Exam Alert Newsletter. Participate in the CPA exam blog that’s sponsored by Kaplan.

Join CPA training groups

Association with other professionals in the same field will provide you with an inside track to news, often before it hits the press. Get involved with your trade association and take advantage of the networking opportunities to develop relationships as well as the group's newsletters and communication vehicles.

I recommend: Find the latest news that surrounds the CPA exam and its changes through the many resources available at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Read the current newsletter and other trend reports put out by the Federation of Schools of Accounting.

Read about the latest CPA study guide trends

Take time to read in-depth reports and magazines that cover the industry further than the headlines. Often the best information that can help drive your own business decisions comes from investigative reporting and research articles that take a deeper look into industry issues.

I recommend: Industry standards and changes in CPA exam requirements are just some of the issues you’ll find reported by the International Federation of Accountants. Membership in the Institute of Management Accountants will keep you apprised of the emerging issues and trends about the CPA exam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Encourage your staff to read publications and websites that can bring even more news about CPA exam questions and how they might affect your peers. Make it fun by giving a prize to the team member who comes up with the best news tidbit each month.

In order to receive a CPA license in the United States, you need to pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Your success on the CPA exam means a great deal to your career and your future so you don’t want to leave it up to chance or inadequate preparation. A CPA exam review can help you successfully complete the exam. With a CPA review, you can:

1. Learn what will be included on the CPA exam.
2. Discover strategies to help you study and remember the information.
3. Take practice CPA exam questions.
4. Get information about the exam and the licensing process.

Whether you want to use a CPA study guide on your own or participate in a CPA review class, you’ll be better prepared for the exam. The sooner you pass the exam, the sooner you’ll be on your way to a more successful career in accounting.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Schedule your CPA exam

The CPA exam is given on particular dates during eight months of the year and to register for the test, you'll need a Notice to Schedule (NTS). Your state board of accountancy will determine whether you have met the general requirements for CPA training in order to take the exam. The NTS is valid for a specific amount of time, so it's important to schedule your exam as soon as you can.

I recommend: The official Uniform CPA Examination website has information on the general requirements that you’ll need to meet and on how to schedule your exam. On the CPA Zone website, you can find the exam costs, applications and completion requirements. Get each state's requirements for the CPA exam on the Becker CPA site.

Use CPA review study materials

The CPA exam covers a great deal of information so you must structure your CPA exam study in order to make the best of the time you have. Even if you decide to enroll in a CPA exam preparation class, you can still study using additional materials. Check bookstores, online retailers, local libraries and websites for study materials.

I recommend: Bisk Education CPA Review has a number of different self-study materials to choose from including DVDs, textbooks and audio lectures. Flashpoint CPA Review also offers many study materials such as flashcards, books and software.

Enroll in a CPA exam preparation class

CPA exam preparation classes offer students a number of benefits, not the least of which is an actual instructor who can answer your questions. You can find both local and online CPA courses to help you prepare and you'll want to consider your situation and available time in making the decision on which form works best for you.

I recommend: Kaplan CPA Review offers an online review course with a live instructor to help you prepare. Yaeger CPA Review also offers a number of “webinars” that can help you prepare for particular aspects of the CPA exam. You may also be able to find local classes through universities or other tutoring companies. If you don’t find anything local, consider traveling to a live seminar, such as the Roger Philipp CPA Review Live Courses in California.

Take practice tests for the CPA exam

In addition to using CPA study guide materials, practice taking the test. Many courses and CPA exam software include practice tests. You can also find many websites that offer practice questions and tests.

I recommend: The Uniform CPA Examination website has a free tutorial and sample tests. Wiley sells practice software that includes sample exams and computerized feedback on your practice tests.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Practice taking a computerized version of the exam if your CPA exam course or CPA study guide materials doesn't include one. The free sample tests at the Uniform CPA Examination website will give you a feel for the format and how the test functions. As the functions may work differently than you're used to, you want to prepare for that so that you can concentrate on the questions and not the format.
• •  Remember to balance your study time with other activities. While you want to adequately prepare for the exam, too much studying can have the opposite effect that you want. Take breaks in your study.

CPA classes can help you pass the Uniform CPA Exam and other certifications that will open the door for career advancement. While many of the jobs in accounting are support and administrative entry-level positions, a CPA exam review can puts you in position to get your CPA certification and rise to the top of the field. CPA training is best achieved with a CPA study guide, CPA classes and additional CPA exam preparation.

Consider a degree in finance to get you started and add CPA review courses and CPA training professional development courses through CPA examination companies, training centers and trade groups. Take advantage of every CPA study guide or seminar to fatten your resume. Watch for training for the CPA exam in a number of places.

1. Find CPA exam preparation online

2. Participate in CPA review study groups

3. Ask for guidance from CPA exam training experts

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for training from online CPA study guide websites

While you are job hunting, or doing your regular industry news updates research, keep an eye out for the trends that are leading the industry to point you to the training that you need to meet the demands of the times. Consider the requirements of the jobs you might like to pursue and find out what certificates or training you can get to make yourself a desirable candidate.

I recommend: Get lectures, sample tests and study guides at CPA Exam. Try a free demo of the software and programs available at the Exam Matrix.

Join CPA review associations for training

Most trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Some groups can guide you to special certification courses that will help you advance your career while offering events and meetings at which you can meet other professionals and find out about other training options.

I recommend: Find training and plenty of networking opportunities through the CPA Associates International. Find a number of different training opportunities through the American Accounting Association as well as leads for jobs and other continuing education opportunities.

Find a training mentor for CPA exam preparation

Whether you can relate to a good manager who might take you on for mentoring, or you seek out a professional in a trade group or other professional association, follow the advice when you're pointed to special training opportunities. Often a designation or degree can make all the difference when you are looking to advance.

I recommend: Find a slew of CPA review sources at CPA Net that you can use to study for the test. Try a free demo of the courses provided online at CPA Review to see if they will serve you the best.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to your employer about what kinds of CPA exam training they will either pay or reimburse you for, including membership fees in trade associations.

The Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination is considered one of the most difficult licensing exams. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy oversees this examination and the candidates who apply for it. Students need to be fully aware of the terms associated with the CPA exam, such as auditing and attestation, regulation, as well as the business environment and concepts. Candidates for the CPA exam may also be able to learn more about these terms by reading the CPA Candidate Bulletin.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Notice to Schedule (NTS)

The Notice to Schedule is written approval to take the CPA examination. It is issued by The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

I recommend: Kaplan Schweser outlines the details of obtaining the Notice to Schedule.

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) provides educational material and plays a significant role in a candidate's ability to sit for the CPA exam. The NASBA oversees the test given by all state boards.

I recommend: Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to learn more about its role in the CPA exam.

CPA Candidate Bulletin

The CPA Candidate Bulletin is the handbook used by individuals who plan to take the CPA exam. It covers all aspects of taking the test including rules and topics covered. This is a must-have document for all candidates.

I recommend: The American Institute for Certified Public Accounts offers more information. Candidates can download the CPA Candidate Bulletin from the website.

Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

The auditing and attestation section of the CPA exam covers the aspects, such as auditing procedures and standards, that all CPAs need to know. Students may wish to obtain specific guidance and test prep for this section.

I recommend: DePaul University provides a description of the auditing and attestation section of the CPA exam.

Business environment and concepts (BEC)

The business environment and concepts section of the CPA exam contains questions regarding business structure, planning and measurement. This section contains multiple-choice questions.

I recommend: The Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants provides more information on the business environment and concepts section of the CPA exam.

Regulation (REG)

The regulation section of the CPA exam is considered one of the more difficult areas. It contains multiple choice, simulation questions, and essay questions.

I recommend: Roger CPA Review provides candidates with more information about the regulations portion of the CPA exam.