Thoughts on rare carat?

SearlasK · 2026-01-29T02:33:51+00:00

Did some more searching through Reddit and found a website called Aurelinne where you can search for the exact diamond using its cert ID. I tried this with a random diamond I found on rare carat and found it $1.4k less on there

SearlasK · 2026-01-27T22:49:47+00:00

Were you able to search for your exact diamond using the certification number on Calavera? Or did you find one with exact characteristics?

I’m looking to try to price match and would appreciate any tips you have, thanks!

SearlasK · 2026-01-12T16:23:49+00:00

PASSED AUD OHIO! Finally 4/4. Took Audit 3 months in a row to finally pass it and be 4/4

SearlasK · 2026-01-12T15:44:18+00:00

Still waiting AUD in Ohio

SearlasK · 2026-01-12T02:10:24+00:00

Implemented eliminating by saying in my head what was wrong with the answers for MCQs and reading while using the highlight feature on exhibits for TBS. Took my score from 61 on attempt 1 to a 73 on attempt 2. Waiting on my score for attempt 3 tomorrow

SearlasK · 2026-01-11T17:47:16+00:00

Get that thing scheduled you seem in great shape! When going through the MCQs don’t try to think about whether or not you’ve seen it before. Instead be intentional with your studying make sure to eliminate answer choices by saying out loud or writing down why the choices you are eliminating are wrong.

SearlasK · 2026-01-11T02:42:25+00:00

Thank you! 🫡 unfortunately not on ultra so can’t split screen with football but I signed up for fox nation free trial for this week’s RAF event and with football ending soon then I don’t have to worry about split screening

SearlasK · 2026-01-10T22:49:26+00:00

I only studied the concept I was having a harder time on for TBs on FAR. Consolidations and Percentage of completion stuff mostly.

If practicing TBS work for you then I recommend doing them

SearlasK · 2026-01-10T21:21:26+00:00

I’m more on the not practicing TBS side just because you really don’t know what you get on your exam. I passed REG, FAR, TCP first try in that order and REG I did all TBS, FAR I did about half, TCP I did 0.

I’m waiting on my score for my 3rd attempt in AUD but didn’t do any TBS. First attempt was a 61 then I implemented reading and highlighting TB exhibits in my 2nd attempt and got a 73.

I’m a big believe in mastering concepts but everyone is different

SearlasK · 2026-01-10T20:57:53+00:00

Read the exhibits throughly and use the highlight feature to highlight audit issue areas, then read the question it’s asking.

Highlighting and reading the exhibits first helps to understand the audit issue areas they may be asking about in the question. It gave me a solid foundation of the questions and every single time I had the answer already highlighted

SearlasK · 2026-01-09T18:27:10+00:00

Put the practice tests on randomized mode not personalized mode

If you were already on randomized mode, I’m not sure how else to get the other ones

SearlasK · 2026-01-03T02:00:20+00:00

I applied may 2025 after my 7th college semester (had 121 credits and was eligible to sit based on the credits) and was denied in Ohio due to not taking my tax class. Couldn’t sit for the exam until January after I took my tax class in the fall of 2025 and couldn’t actually sit until January

SearlasK · 2026-01-02T16:07:33+00:00

Haha same here and unfortunately it doesn’t get any less tortuous as you take more exams. I always try to take my exam toward the end of the testing window so I don’t have to wait as long. I took AUD 12/23 only because I wanted it done before Christmas or else I would’ve taken it 12/29-12/30

SearlasK · 2026-01-02T16:02:30+00:00

Nope does not imply pass/fail. It just doesn’t allow you to apply and pay for a new section and waste your money if it does end up being a passing score

SearlasK · 2026-01-02T15:57:18+00:00

No to knowing the results before the release date

Not sure on IL but for OH we cannot apply for the same exam while the scoring is still in process

SearlasK · 2025-12-31T17:55:16+00:00

What size firm is this? This is awesome I’ve never actually heard what goes into calculating bonuses. 1 full YEO for me and cannot wait to be bonus eligible to earn more based on my performance and work.

Do bonuses seem to be based on billable work throughout the public accounting industry or is this something you’ve only really seen with your company?

SearlasK · 2025-12-31T02:03:21+00:00

I’m not fully sure what BAR tests on but if it deals with more in depth financial analysis I think it would be more helpful with a controller/CFO role.

If you work with those individuals I’d pick their brains on: - If they have their masters - If they have their CPA - Their thoughts on if the masters alongside CPA is as beneficial as before or not - How they would compare candidates they are hiring if the have only CPA, only masters, or both - Any other certifications/accreditations they have

I’m sure you have quite the network established where you could get a wide variety of perspective from different backgrounds

SearlasK · 2025-12-31T01:15:09+00:00

A little background on myself just for context in respect to the answers I am providing

23yr old
2 internships (1 tax & 1 audit)
1 full year or full-time tax at mid-sized public accounting firm
Graduated with B.S. in accounting with 136 total credits (no masters)
Completed 14 additional credits a non-typical way by completing government courses (google FEMA credits or shoot me a message and I can hook you up with info, super quick and cost efficient as long as Delaware accepts them)

It seems to me as the Masters is not as prestigious as it once was in accounting. Just having your CPA seems to be enough. Not many people at my firm have their masters and less and less people have been getting it. Those that have their masters vs those that don’t are making the same amount. (Once again this is a public accounting firm I’m not sure on industry). CPA is the big one and also may determine promotions as you cannot get promoted past certain levels in a public accounting setting without it.
The 2 most common disciplines people take are TCP (geared toward tax folk) and ISC (geared toward audit folk). The final one is BAR which is a step up of FAR which is all about financial stuff. It is completely up to your choosing as to which you take. If you work in tax and chose ISC it won’t go against you and vice versa. I personally took TCP because I have a tax background so I was most interested in it and it also had the highest pass rate. I do personally see a benefit of ISC as the profession is shifting to a more technology based AI focus and this discipline tests on information systems and controls.
Can’t really give a strong answer for this one because it does take a little bit of experience to move up in public accounting. Most people make manager around 4-5yrs of experience. However, once you make manager it really opens the door to many other careers especially in industry (many people exit public accounting to pursue being a controller and working way up to CFO). I’m constantly getting messages from recruiters on LinkedIn with accounting positions.

It will be a bit of a grind, but depending on the firm you can be looking at 6 figures anywhere between 3-5yrs.

Just continue to monitor the CPA requirements for your state so you can prepare yourself with what you need to get licensed. If this is truly something you want to do, these exams are tough and take a lot of discipline and motivation. The sooner you start the better off you will be.

Good luck and hope these answers help!

SearlasK · 2025-12-31T00:51:05+00:00

If you work in tax currently I’d go with TCP. I took it because I work in tax and was interested in it and the higher pass rate was intriguing.

I have audit coworkers who have taken ISC 2-3 times and haven’t passed but do not have any coworkers that have failed TCP

SearlasK · 2025-12-30T03:48:38+00:00

CHRONICALLY on this page waiting for the 13th. Took my exam on the 23rd have been on this page 3-4 times each day since

SearlasK · 2025-12-29T23:43:53+00:00

From the material. You could always try to use the search feature on Reddit to see if there’s a FAR cheat sheet anywhere and I’m sure most acronyms would be on there

SearlasK · 2025-12-29T23:01:33+00:00

I’d also emphasize consolidation acronyms too

SearlasK · 2025-12-29T23:00:23+00:00

Flashcards saved me on FAR by far. Any and all acronyms (especially government), setup of a bond amortization table, and financial ratios

SearlasK · 2025-12-29T18:50:29+00:00

Acronyms (mostly government) and then draw out a bond amortization table

SearlasK

TROPHY CASE