If you plan to become an accountant, you need to be certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). For this to happen, you need to pass your CPA Exam. One thing you need to remember with CPA exams is, they are very strict. If you fail an exam, then you cannot proceed to the next level.
Getting certified will take a lot from you. For this reason, you need to sign up for a course that will help you understand the concepts you will be examined on. While you could study this independently, taking an actual class will come in handy for you.
Since there are so many institutions offering these classes, you might get confused. Here are some pointers when it comes to choosing a CPA course.
What Is the Length of the Course?
When you are looking up which CPA review course to use, you will come across various programs. There are those that need you to attend classes daily for a couple of months, while there are those that let you go for part-time classes. The course might run for months or a couple of weeks.
Choose a course program that works with you based on the amount of time you have in your hands. If all you need is clarification on a couple of things, you might choose the shorter course. If you need in-depth learning, then you might have to go for the full-time classes.
Do They Offer You Practice Exams?
While the review course might not give you the exam questions, they need access to previous CPA exams and provide them to you as practice exams. It will provide you with a handle on everything, and you get to know whether or not you can handle the exam.
Practice exams also help you go through concepts that you might have issues with to write the actual exam better. Your tutor might go through the questions with you to help determine whether or not you are ready for the exam.
Is the Course Fit for Your Learning Style?
Different review programs will handle the concepts differently. Take a look at the coursework and how the topics have been organized. Some institutions follow a linear approach to the entire content.
With this approach, you get to learn everything about CPA. Some institutions offer a personalized approach. You get to choose which areas you need help with, which they will focus on.
Some institutions will grant you access to the reading material in case that’s all you need. Such courses are versatile, and you can rest assured that all your needs will be met.
Do They Have a Good Student Support System?
If you are starting on the course, then chances are you might have so many questions about how everything works. It helps to get an institution that listens to you and helps you figure out what will work best for you.
Take your time and reach out to the institutions you might have narrowed down on and see what their reception to you is. If you feel like they pay attention to you and any issues you might have, then that is an indicator that they will offer you the best.
The Cost
At the end of the day, the choice you make on the course depends heavily on the amount of money you are charged. Compare the fees for the course of the different institutions and see if it is worth the price. You might notice that the course is expensive, but the money you pay is worth it because of the benefits that come with it.
Another thing that will make you know you are paying the correct amount is the institution’s pass rate. CPA exams are no walk in the park, but you are bound to get an institution with around a 70% pass rate which is still good.
Studying for CPA exams on your own can be nerve-racking. For this reason, it makes sense if you can get a course review for the entire thing. Do your research on the courses available before you settle on one that best suits your needs.