Accounting students worry about CPA exam preparation
13 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/Accounting.
“Has anyone taken Assurance and Taxation simultaneously ? How did you prepare, and did you pass both? My plan is to focus almost entirely on practice cases, integrated problems, and retired exam cases , making sure I understand every AO and can solve them independently. Is this…”
“I’m a current junior graduating in may 2028. My state (NY) requires 120 credits for cpa eligibility. For internships, do I apply to summer 2027 internships or summer 2028? Am I even eligible for summer 2028 internships? For example, pwc has summer 2028 destination cpa…”
“I graduated in 2024, so it’s been a while since I’ve seriously studied accounting. I was never really a super studious person either — I was usually the type to study right before an exam 😅 So now I honestly feel like I don’t even know how to study properly anymore. I’m…”
Several posts express anxiety and uncertainty among accounting students regarding their readiness for the Canadian CPA exams. Concerns include difficulty with Financial Reporting Assessment Objectives, lack of time for review, and feeling unprepared despite studying.
SOURCES (15)
“Has anyone taken Assurance and Taxation simultaneously ? How did you prepare, and did you pass both? My plan is to focus almost entirely on practice cases, integrated problems, and retired exam cases , making sure I understand every AO and can solve them independently.…”
“I’m a current junior graduating in may 2028. My state (NY) requires 120 credits for cpa eligibility. For internships, do I apply to summer 2027 internships or summer 2028? Am I even eligible for summer 2028 internships? For example, pwc has summer 2028 destination cpa internships up right now and in the description it says junior at time of application. Do internships still want you to pursue 150 if your stage only requires 120? submitted by /u/Prestigious_Goat_478 [link] [comm”
“I graduated in 2024, so it’s been a while since I’ve seriously studied accounting. I was never really a super studious person either — I was usually the type to study right before an exam 😅 So now I honestly feel like I don’t even know how to study properly anymore. I’m thinking of taking Core 1 this December, but part of me is considering deferring until March because I’m already nervous about it. How did you study and actually understand the concepts instead of just memorizing them? Did you r”
“Easier and cheaper like the other responses you've received. The US CPA is also considered Plan B, after one has written the Canadian CPA exams the maximum number of times.”
“I’m trying to decide whether to pursue the new Canadian CPA program or the US CPA, and I’d really appreciate hearing from Canadians who have gone through either route. I’ve already got all the CPA preparatory courses, but I haven’t enrolled in the actual Canadian CPA PEP program yet. After looking at the time, cost, exams, and overall commitment involved with the new Canadian program, I’m wondering whether the US CPA might be a better option for me. The Canadian CPA route seems long and expensiv”
“What do you think the average grade is on MCQ questions for Core 1 and Core 2? I see tons of people say they guess a ton of them so I assume the passing % has got to be around 50%-60% right? I assume the Electives are also a lot more Case heavy in terms of grade but im curious what the passing % is for MCQs submitted by /u/Trucks-R-Neat [link] [comments]”
“Can anyone give their experience with being waitlisted for a module with CPA PEP? Wasn’t planning on taking a fall 2026 module but life has changed and it’s looking possible. I see there’s the ~300 fee you pay to be added to the waitlist, is it pretty likely you will be admitted? I am hoping to take the Assurance elective. Any input is appreciated. Thanks! submitted by /u/balsamicpopsicle [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone, Looking for some advice. My Core 1 exam is in 3 weeks. I am hoping for some advice on how I should prepare for the exam. I have been putting in hours each and every week, but it still feels like I don't know a thing. I don't remember much of the stuff from the beginning of the course. How should I prepare for the exam in the next 3 weeks? Thank you in advance. submitted by /u/deadpoolgadwal [link] [comments]”
“So I have completed two co ops at the CRA as an audit intern auditing both GAT/HST Credits as well as business income tax. I’ve always wanted to continue down the accounting path but I’m wondering if big 4 firms really care about governmental experience and if it gives you an advantage in comparison. My professors told me that since you have governmental experience, you are at an advantage because they may be under the notion that you have better knowledge of tax codes and overall audit knowledg”
“I’m planning to sit for the CPA BC Core1 Challenge Exam in December 2026, as I have foreign professional accounting credentials. Could you please recommend how I should prepare for the exam? I would appreciate any advice on study materials, preparation strategies, and practice resources. submitted by /u/Future-Bluejay3600 [link] [comments]”
“Hi I am feeling anxious about the upcoming CFE exam. Is it too late to study enough to pass? I have had off of work since the beginning of August and feel like I have been slacking on my studying and have wasted a bunch of time and now there is only 2 weeks left. I have written all the cases in capstone 2 plus a couple extra all under exam like conditions and I am still getting many NC’s especially on day 2. I am in the lowest 2 quartiles when look at the NMC reports. I have also done no extra t”
“Hello, I'm really struggling with FR AOs in Day 2 cases. I can get to RCs, but I'm always missing something, like subsequent measurements or adjusting entries or something. I hadn't reviewed my technicals before Capstone 2 started. I've been reviewing technicals while debriefing the cases. I've written 8 Day 2 cases so far (Capstone 2 and a couple other past CFE cases). And, I barely ever get a C on FR issues. I feel like I should focus on technical review at this point, but”
“So I am a college student 20M starting my Junior Semester this fall, just looking for some additional guidance on what I can do to progress through the journey. For context, I switched from comp sci to biz adm last semester and joined the accounting society on my campus in the hopes of being an info sponge. Went to all the events and made some connections throughout the semester and was much more fulfilled with what I was doing than I was with compsci. Due to life, I crashed and burned my fall 2”
“I graduated from college in May with a bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance. Through an accelerated master’s program, I’m only one additional semester away from finishing my MAcc. There really isn’t much sunk cost here since this fall would be the only extra semester required. Finishing would cost me about $20k in debt. I recently got a return offer from my audit internship to start full-time in January 2027, earlier than the August start I was told to expect. The firm is completely fine with me”