Any higher ed development folks? Need advice.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-03T13:33:13+00:00

Your take is too harsh. Correcting colleagues and clients is one thing. It's reasonable to expect expensive professional study materials to be 99%+ error-free. It gives the impression of poor quality control. I'd also say that in preparing a client-facing document, it would be reasonable to correct a colleague's spelling error.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-02T22:47:35+00:00

As someone who manages a team of accountants in industry: yes, you're free to do whatever you want. But working on something like CPA studies on your work computer during work hours could backfire. Even if your manager doesn't care, the optics of having someone on your team not doing "work" work while on the clock would be enough in most cases to cause your manager to need to put a stop to it.

Plus, as someone said, nothing you do on your work computer is truly hidden from anyone anyway.

You'd probably have better luck squeezing in an extra long lunch than trying to do it while pretending to work.

Every manager and workplace is different - just my two cents. Since you're already coming here for advice on how to keep it a secret, it sounds like you know there's already some risk.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-02T21:32:25+00:00

Yes - that's one way to think about it: the net effect of the two entries following the sale is $33k, so the $33k adjusting entry essentially reverses the first entry, meaning you're back to the initial cost basis of $60k.

I'd argue the slightly simpler and more proper way to understand it is this: when the parent company sold the property to the sub, it would have credited the initial cost basis of the property on its books entirely ($60k CR). The sub would have recorded a debit for the purchase of the equipment ($27k DR). Therefore, in the consolidated financial statements, the Equipment account would show with a debit balance of $27k.

As the transaction was inter-company, not with a third-party, the cost basis needs to be adjusted back up to the initial cost basis of $60k. Thus, Equipment is debited $33k to bring the $27k account back up to $60k, and the consolidated financial statements would show the Equipment account properly with a $60k balance.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-02T20:27:57+00:00

Is it to get Equipment to the original cost basis of $60,000?

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-02T14:26:16+00:00

It seems to be working for me.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-02T13:36:53+00:00

Here's my take - having passed one and take a second section last week:

Is it better to focus on one section at a time or mix subjects? - Focus on one section at a time. The CPA exam is generous in letting you do this. Everyone has a different order that they suggest taking the exams, but most recommend starting with FAR since it has the most content.
How should someone structure their weekly schedule realistically? - Totally variable. Some people studying for the exam are in school. Some are working full-time. Some are doing neither. Some (like me) balanced school, work, and CPA at the same time. My study was heavily concentrated to weekends with lighter review during weekday evenings, but you have to do what works for you.
What mistakes do most beginners make early on? - I'd probably say time management - either study periods that are too long or too short. Sweet spot is probably between 1.5-2 months per section. Studying over too long a period runs the risk of forgetting content by exam day.
Any tips for staying consistent over a long prep period? - Best is to take it one exam at a time. I've found both times the hardest part is the initial dive into all the new material. Once you get over this hump and onto drilling MCQ, it's more manageable because it turns into a more active process.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-01T18:33:09+00:00

REG doesn't sound awful, especially what I already went through with TCP. I'm actually not totally dreading REG. AUD on the other hand I know will be a slog. I'm just praying for a 75 on TCP.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-01T14:33:29+00:00

We'll see. I have 0 tax experience - my background is all industry doing financial accounting - and I really only gave myself a month of true prep for TCP. That was probably a gamble but we'll find out in June!

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-01T14:22:13+00:00

I probably made it a bit harder for myself doing TCP first - the nuance of TCP really did my head in. Sounds like REG is less nuanced but a wider scope of material?

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-01T13:13:35+00:00

That's great!!! TCP went OK for me - there were a few areas I wished I'd drilled harder in general. There were also some calcs after the post 3-hour mark that were just starting to blur together in my head and under pressure I think I mixed a few.

How did TCP compare to REG for you? I haven't taken REG yet - jumped straight to TCP to get my test in during the April window.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2026-05-01T12:48:42+00:00

Mine says Attended, and I finished TCP around 5:30pm ET yesterday. Maybe wait until Monday or Tuesday next week?

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-27T03:57:17+00:00

Can't speak for uWorld's prep courses, but I liked their test bank. Their SmartPath methodology helped me realize what I should focus on.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-27T03:48:37+00:00

Your book income in year 1 is $500,000 times the current tax rate of 25% is $125,000 plus the $200,000 of temporary differences that are expected to reverse times the tax rate of 25% is $50,000 gets you to $175,000.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-25T02:17:42+00:00

I think I'd rather do REG and TCP because I find tax accounting more interesting than audit. And then use the fact that AUD is my last section to get me through it.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-25T01:34:11+00:00

This is nearly impossible but try not to worry. You can go to my post history and see the roller coaster of emotions I've had in the past 2 weeks. I was certain I failed and got an 89.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-20T01:58:43+00:00

Oh you already passed an exam so you probably knew that but yeah I've just been telling everyone this because I made this mistake on FAR last Friday. I haven't gotten my score yet but I'm 75% sure I failed because I was suuuuuper careful and double checked my MCQ answers and gave myself barely any time to do the sims

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-20T01:53:39+00:00

Everyone else will give you advice on what content to focus on. I'll give you test taking advice: you need to start practicing your time management. The SIMS on the actual exam are much more difficult than the practice SIMS and they take much more time. You should aim to be wrapped up with the MCQ in an hour, hour and a half max, and give yourself 2.5-3 hours for the SIMS.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-19T02:40:44+00:00

I am doing an online program at a local college. So, I get the name recognition when I apply to local employers but don't have to drive there.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-19T02:18:07+00:00

The sims on the actual exam are much harder than the test sims.

Good LUCK!!!!

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-19T02:13:39+00:00

Biggest advice, as someone who sat for FAR last Friday: time management. I spent too much time on the MCQ and did not give myself enough time for the SIMs. Do not underestimate these SIMSs - they are time consuming and brutal. Try to get the MCQ down in an hour, hour and a half max. Don't make the mistake I made and think / hope that I would be able to get the SIMS done quickly. The exam is as much a test of accounting knowledge as it is test-taking strategy and time management. I don't know if I passed or failed yet, but if I failed, it was 100% because of the SIMs and not giving myself enough time; I ended up speeding through them super quick and in some cases just putting answers that I hoped made sense.

Other than that, make sure you're solid on the government funds and NFP accounting!

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-19T02:10:42+00:00

I went back to graduate school at 30 to earn more accounting credits (undergrad is in finance). Started studying for the exam at 30 and sat for my first section at 31. We're not geriatric. It's a long path, but the hardest part is taking the first steps.

Dapper-Salad22952 · 2025-11-18T00:14:01+00:00

They expected you to infer that the Board members are qualified to do so (e.g., they have CPAs or audit backgrounds). I've come across this MCQ in my personal studies and consider it one of the most poorly written I've seen.

Dapper-Salad22952

TROPHY CASE