RSS feed for Kaplan CPA Exam Review's Public Bloghttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2192&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaA recent study, conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, revealed that the average starting salary for 2013 accounting graduates has increased to $53,300, a seven percent increase from 2012-promising news for all accounting majors. Diligence and hard work in school, networking, geographical area, and industry are a few of the many factors that will weigh into your salary calculation. Be proactive and show the profession what you have to offer. To...en-usWed, 01 May 2013 13:54:00 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2167&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaIf you have not done so already, don't forget to file your 2012 individual income tax returns (or file form 4868 for a six-month extension) before midnight! To treat yourself for getting your taxes done, check out today's tax day freebies and specials. Two free Cinnabon Bites + your morning coffee = great start to a work...en-usMon, 15 Apr 2013 08:37:22 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2163&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaWatch this video to find out. http://goo.gl/MMd6i Now . . . go pass AUD!! We're here to...en-usThu, 11 Apr 2013 12:02:41 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2151&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaTen years ago the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) didn't have much to say about social media. Facebook (FB), Twitter, et cetera certainly were not as prevalent on Wall Street. Yesterday, social media made its grand debut into SEC laws and regulations in the wake of a Netflix compliance issue with Regulation Fair Disclosure (Regulation FD). When a CEO (of a U.S. publicly traded company) updates his personal FB status with company information that was otherwise unknown...en-usWed, 03 Apr 2013 14:17:21 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2144&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaFor those studying for the BEC section of the CPA exam, you know economics makes up 16-20% of your total exam experience. A major subset of this section is to have a solid understanding of the changes in economic and business cycles, including economic measures/indicators. Often, real world application of what you are studying helps with the stickiness of the content, in your mind, for exam day. There is a good article on Bloomberg's website titled Index of Leading Economic...en-usFri, 22 Mar 2013 09:50:48 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2123&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaToday is the last testing day in this testing window. I'm so proud of all of you who took one or more exams already in 2013. "Aut viam inveniam aut faciam" means "I shall find a way or make one" in Latin. This perfectly describes your effort and determination in passing the CPA Exam. Memorize this phrase, either in Latin or English. It can be your mantra to completion. We're here to help...en-usWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:49:27 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2104&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaA college degree in hand is only as valuable as you know what to do with it. Add on to that a challenging employment front and your degree selection could be a hit or miss when it comes to being a desired employee. For those studying for your CPA exam, rest assured, accounting is a hot degree now and historically speaking. Read Yahoo's articles on both hits: http://education.yahoo.net/articles/hot_careers_hiring_now.htm?...en-usFri, 08 Feb 2013 08:41:15 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2084&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaWednesday, January 30, 2013, kicks off the start of tax filing season. It marks the day the IRS begins accepting and processing 1040 tax returns. So gather up your W2s and other tax documents. The sooner you file your tax return(s), the sooner you can visit "Where's My Refund?" available at ...en-usWed, 30 Jan 2013 09:16:14 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2048&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaAUD candidates take notice: The PCAOB released a detailed report this week on the disappointing findings from its audit inspections at various accounting firms. As an aspiring CPA, it is your due diligence to obtain the necessary skill sets to be an entry-level, engagement team auditor. Now is your opportunity to help improve the performance in audits of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) by studying your AUD materials, specifically PCAOB AS #5 An Audit of...en-usFri, 14 Dec 2012 08:54:09 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2040&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaIn your university auditing classes, you first learn the term "professional skepticism." Now, while you're studying for the CPA Exam, you find that term again. It must be important! It is. In fact, the PCAOB issued a staff audit practice alert on Tuesday reminding auditors to be mindful at all times of their responsibility to apply professional skepticism. Read more at: ...en-usWed, 05 Dec 2012 08:47:46 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2028&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThe new Microsoft operating system, Windows 8, has been available to the public for almost a month now which begs the question: to upgrade or not to upgrade? n the November issue of Journal of Accountancy, CPA J. Carlton Collins provides some excellent information on both the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 8. Collins also points out the discounts currently available for those who decide to upgrade before January 31, 2013 ($39.99 for qualifying consumers), after...en-usTue, 20 Nov 2012 13:43:47 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2022&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThe AICPA just published the 3rd quarter pass rates and they are oustanding!! Great work!! There were some serious BEC rockstars in the third quarter. Remember, that higher pass rates do not necessarily mean an easier exam. It does mean that the candidates were well prepared. ...en-usThu, 15 Nov 2012 15:42:53 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=2005&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaA career in accounting doesn't necessarily mean sitting at a desk all day. In fact, the career choices in accounting are vast and cover a wide ranges of industries. Check out Kaplan CPA Review's Launchpad site at http://www.cpa-launchpad.com/. Also, the AICPA has created a website that is rich with career information. Check out ...en-usThu, 08 Nov 2012 09:24:00 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1971&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaYou really must watch this video just released by the AICPA. ...en-usMon, 08 Oct 2012 08:43:08 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1964&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThe U.S. Treasury action with respect to the sale of AIG stock is a great example of topics discussed in Kaplan CPA Review economics lessons and tested on the REG exam. Read the article at http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/10/us-aig-treasury-idUSBRE8880JE20120910 and ask yourself "Will this action expand or contract the...en-usMon, 24 Sep 2012 11:09:31 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1914&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpa The AICPA has released the pass rates by section from the April/May testing window. Each section has improved since the first testing window in 2012. If this includes you, congratulations! Keep up the hard work future CPAs. Please visit www.cpa-exam.org and select Passing Rates from the Quick Links navigation tab to access the AICPA passing rates. ...en-usFri, 17 Aug 2012 12:41:51 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1897&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaApplying or registering for the CPA Exam? The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Web site is host to various short-video tutorials that walk you through the application and registration process. Whether you are a first-time applicant, an international exam candidate, or are re-applying for the CPA Exam, the various video segments are sure to simplify your situation. Please visit http://www.nasba.org/media-resources/videos/ to access the NASBA Video...en-usTue, 19 Jun 2012 08:01:49 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1866&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaPaying for college is an investment in one's future. Like all investments, you should weigh your options, consider the tax implications, and educate yourself to make a wise decision. Tax planning considerations include your 529 plans, education deductions and credits, student loans, and many others. In a recent article in the Journal of Accountancy, Tax Planning for Parents of College Students, various alternatives are played out that provide a glimpse into the importance of...en-usWed, 23 May 2012 11:59:54 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1867&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaPaying for college is an investment in one's future. Like all investments, you should weigh your options, consider the tax implications, and educate yourself to make a wise decision. Tax planning considerations include your 529 plans, education deductions and credits, student loans, and many others. In a recent article in the Journal of Accountancy, Tax Planning for Parents of College Students, various alternatives are played out that provide a glimpse into the importance of...en-usWed, 23 May 2012 12:01:39 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1402&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaPreparing for the CPA Exam is the key to passing. The AICPA has this advice: 1. "Read the Candidate Bulletin 2. Review the Content Specification Outlines 3. Review the Policy on New Pronouncements 4. Review the Confidentiality and Break Policy Statement 5. Take the Tutorial...en-usThu, 31 Mar 2011 14:19:43 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1319&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaMultiple choice questions make up 60 to 85 percent of your exam score for each section. BEC and REG will each have 72 multiple choice questions and AUD and FAR will each have 90 multiple choice questions. These will be presented to you in 3 testlets of either 24 or 30 multiple choice questions each depending on the section. The AICPA classifies the difficulty of each question as being "moderate" or "difficult." Your first testlet will contain moderate difficulty questions. If...en-usFri, 04 Feb 2011 08:13:17 -0400admin@schweser.com