So, once again I switched from studying for BEC to now restudying Audit. I think I have a problem and need to commit to one exam, take it and move on. I study hard one week and then I reward with a week sometimes two of not studying because I did so well that one week. I have come to realize that this is my problem. Which explains why I am not taking BEC on October 28 (today) as planned. Instead I will be taking Audit on November 26th. Right before Thanksgiving because I do not want to be studying over Thanksgiving.
Why did I switch to Audit? Well, I did not think I could pull off that 75 on BEC and then the Partner in charge of my group has now started announcing achievements during our quarterly team meetings. Which means, now they go around askiing who is studying for what and if you pass they will announce it. I hate it but I also look at it as extra pressure and motivation to study. I still HATE everything about the whole process. I thought of just saying I was not studying for anything but then comes the whole ethical issue of me lying and can I be trusted. So many things can come out of saying I am not studying. So now I have to pass Audit by the end of the year since our next meeting is in January. Go TEAM (said sarcastically). I plan being done with reading the Wiley Textbook and answering all the Yaeger CPA Review assigned homework by Sunday. I also decided to cut back on my television watching. Limiting myself to just one hour of TV during the week. For someone who watches a lot of TV this is going to be hard but it can be done.
I started working on Audit last week while I was in NY for IT Audit School Training. I really enjoyed the training provided my MIS. I think the other thing was the instructor that I had was really great. He made me want to be more involved in integrated audits. I get excited when new challenges come up and the opportunity for me to learn and grown professionally.
In other news, I am back to doing crossfit. I found a box (a.k.a gym because crossfitters like to be different). I found an inexpensive place close to the office. Today was my first day there and I really liked it. I plan on going 3 times this week during my lunch hour and then I will go 4 times a week starting next week. Over the weekend I decided to do a juice cleanse. Why you ask. Well, because I am always trying to find a quick way to shed the few pounds I need to lose and decided that eating nothing and just drinking juice was a good idea. I found recipes for the blueprint cleanse and on Saturday morning I woke up and made some juice. It was time consuming but I was determined to try it for 3 days. Well, fast forward to Sunday and I decided to go a hot yoga class. I was in that room for 30 minutes and I started to feel light headed but I kept on. After being there for 45 minutes the room started spinning and I thought for sure I was going to pass out. I rolled up my mat and walked out and sit in the lobby for a while. Welp, that was the death of the juice diet. Not to mention the headaches I had all weekend from not eating. That was clearly one of my moments of temporary insanity that I may never speak of. The things I do at times never cease to amaze me. Now that I am back to being sane, I am doing the Whole 30 which is more sensible.
One of these days the men in white jackets are going to come for me. I know I have a few screws missing but that is what makes me, me :)
Happy Studying. I promise to update the blog at least once a week with my audit progress (raise your hand if you have heard that before and then I go MIA for a few months).
Friday, October 4, 2013
Time to buckle down
A few weeks ago I made the decision to join Pederson CPA Review. Who is that you ask? I know I was thinking the same thing a while back when he appeared on my timeline on twitter. The conversation that he had jumped in on was a discussion I was having with one of the girls regarding paleo. It turns out that grassfed butter is good in coffee. And of course Rob Pederson confirmed that. I am usually quick to block people on twitter but I looked on his timeline and saw that he is a CPA and has a review course. I looked around his website and I was skeptical. One more person offering help to pass the exam. I have fallen for many of those and have spent more money than I would ever admit.
Fast forward a few months later and I was in crunch time for Audit. When you are a CPA candidate and you are down to a few weeks and realize you did not study as much as you should have you start to panic and will reach out to anyone who will listen to you. So I emailed Rob and he was willing to listen and give me advice. His review only offers FAR and BEC for now, hopefully in the future he will have more. He has a small group of students and we pay a monthly fee to get access to notes and lectures and also he has office hours once a week. He usually has office hours on Wednesdays and sometimes on Saturdays. But he is also available whenever you need him. Whether you are using Becker, Yaeger, Roger, or Gleim if you don't understand the material or how to work a problem he will go over that with you over the phone or if you don't want to talk then he will explain the questions in email. He does conference calls during the scheduled office hours where we send in the questions we need him to go over and he will explain them in detail. Very helpful. I have yet to use his services to the fullest, however, I will be in final review mode soon so I know I will need him.
I am currently reading the Wiley BEC textbook and going over questions. Reading the book has taken forever and man is the Wiley text brutal. That font will put you to sleep anyday; however, I must say I am remembering a lot more from reading the text and writing notes. I plan on getting through Financial Management, Cost Measurement, and Planning + Control this weekend. I will be coming to the Office on Saturday to study. We get free parking on the weekends and after hours so that will be good. I will just have to pack my snacks and get comfortable in one of the conference rooms. If I can get a good 7 hours in I will be golden.
Happy studying.
Fast forward a few months later and I was in crunch time for Audit. When you are a CPA candidate and you are down to a few weeks and realize you did not study as much as you should have you start to panic and will reach out to anyone who will listen to you. So I emailed Rob and he was willing to listen and give me advice. His review only offers FAR and BEC for now, hopefully in the future he will have more. He has a small group of students and we pay a monthly fee to get access to notes and lectures and also he has office hours once a week. He usually has office hours on Wednesdays and sometimes on Saturdays. But he is also available whenever you need him. Whether you are using Becker, Yaeger, Roger, or Gleim if you don't understand the material or how to work a problem he will go over that with you over the phone or if you don't want to talk then he will explain the questions in email. He does conference calls during the scheduled office hours where we send in the questions we need him to go over and he will explain them in detail. Very helpful. I have yet to use his services to the fullest, however, I will be in final review mode soon so I know I will need him.
I am currently reading the Wiley BEC textbook and going over questions. Reading the book has taken forever and man is the Wiley text brutal. That font will put you to sleep anyday; however, I must say I am remembering a lot more from reading the text and writing notes. I plan on getting through Financial Management, Cost Measurement, and Planning + Control this weekend. I will be coming to the Office on Saturday to study. We get free parking on the weekends and after hours so that will be good. I will just have to pack my snacks and get comfortable in one of the conference rooms. If I can get a good 7 hours in I will be golden.
Happy studying.
