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FAQs

What happens if I pass BEC before 2024? ›

If you pass BEC before 2024, BEC will replace a discipline section requirement.

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.

The CPA exam is significantly harder. However, the essays on the CA bar are very hard because of the amount of material you have to know, the format of the essays, and the time pressure. I was a CPA before going to law school and I always believed the CPA exam was harder than the bar because that is what CPAs claim.

FAR is your strongest Core exam

The BAR exam tests advanced Financial Accounting topics similar to the content tested on the Financial Analysis and Reporting (FAR) Core CPA Exam, so if you've already taken FAR and scored well, it's a good idea to select BAR as your Discipline.

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.

A new version of the CPA Exam launched on January 10, 2024. The CPA licensure model is transforming to recognize the rapidly changing skills and competencies the practice of accounting requires today and will require in the future.

Around 3 in 5 candidates who take the REG exam pass, so it's hard, but no harder than any other section of the CPA exam (except maybe BEC). The key to passing REG will be using up-to-date study materials since the exam is updated yearly based on new laws and regulations.

The BEC exam is considered the “easiest” of the 4 CPA exam sections, but it's still not a walk in the park. It will require demonstration of advanced knowledge and skills and is the only exam section that tests writing ability.

The legacy CPA Exam included four mandatory exams that all candidates took: AUD, BEC, FAR and REG. In 2024, the CPA Evolution Exam will include three core exams (AUD, FAR and REG) and one discipline exam of your choosing (either BAR, ISC or TCP). No longer will each candidate take the same four exams.

A CPA salary usually reaches the high five figures, and senior CPAs in management can earn a six-figure salary.

How many people pass all 4 CPA exams on the first try? ›

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.

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.

Accounting students who specialize in public accounting often pursue CPA careers. In addition to an undergraduate accounting degree, CPAs typically need 30 additional credits to satisfy their state's educational requirements for licensure. Learners can meet this requirement by earning a master's degree in accounting.

CPA Exam Written Communication Testlets

BEC is the only CPA exam section with WCTs. Some students find this makes the exam easier, but some do find WCTs to be harder than TBSs. Either way, BEC is considered the easiest part of the CPA exam because it has the highest pass rate.

The employment of accountants in the U.S. is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Around 136,400 accounting jobs are projected each year on average over the next decade.

Starting in 2024, the CPA Exam will consist of three Core sections that all candidates must pass. They must also pass one of three Discipline sections that focus on a specialized knowledge. Candidates who passed Business Environments and Concepts (BEC) prior to 2024 will not need to pass a Discipline.

Content Changes: The forthcoming 2024 CPA Exam will introduce significant content modifications, placing a greater emphasis on higher-order skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. By attempting the BEC section before 2024, you may find it comparatively easier to pass than the revised version.

Begin your journey with the Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) section. Consider FAR as your rigorous training camp, where you're going to construct a robust foundation in financial reporting.

No more CFEs: From 2025 to 2027, the entire CPA education program is planned to be replaced, and there may be no more Common Final Examinations (CFEs) as we know it. Instead, the new program will be designed from the ground up.