How to Prepare for the CPA Exam

I recently passed the exams and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California. I owe much of my success to the amazing faculty in the UC Davis Master of Professional Accountancy program. 

Becoming a CPA has been a rewarding journey. I’d like to share what inspired me to pursue this path and how the UC Davis MPAc program played a pivotal role in my success.

Here’s why I chose accounting.

• I decided to become an accountant because they are valued, in-demand, and respected. Public accounting has a clear career trajectory, and every business needs an accountant.
• I also knew that the certified public accounting (CPA) license would be essential for my career because a CPA opens doors to opportunities and promotions within public accounting and is highly marketable in the private sector.

When I began looking into graduate programs, I needed to find an effective program that would support my aspirations; I also knew that I wanted to stay in Northern California. UC Davis MPAc was the perfect fit for achieving my goals:

• The program fulfilled the coursework requirements I needed for the CPA license.
• The coursework covered the same material tested on the CPA exams, so I could prepare for the exams while in the program.
• UC Davis MPAc had strong ties to Big 4 and boutique accounting firms. With a 100% placement rate for the previous class of 2022, I knew that I, too, would be able to use the network and resources to begin my accounting career.

The MPAc curriculum stuck with me, especially the financial accounting and tax accounting courses which are very important for the CPA exams. Professor Hollis Skaife and Assistant Professor Paul Wong were amazing in the financial accounting courses, and recently retired Lecturer and Executive Director Will Snyder provided fun but difficult tax courses!

To be successful in MPAc, I recommend making use of all the opportunities available to students: ask questions in class, go to office hours and talk to the faculty, make study groups with your friends, and take the time to read the textbooks and supplemental material.

The MPAc faculty want you to succeed and are always happy to help when you need it. If you dedicate the time to learning as much as you can while in the MPAc program, it will catapult you to success in your career as well as with the CPA exams.

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CPA Exam Advice: Review Your MPAc Notes

When I took the CPA exams, I relied a lot on the notes I took during my MPAc classes and the knowledge I gained from the program. I developed a study routine in tandem with the Becker study materials provided by my employer, CTW, intending to study at least one exam topic each night.

I was committed to getting my license in one year, and I tried to give myself around a month and a half of time to prepare for each exam. It’s important to have the right attitude when you study: keep in mind the end goal of being a CPA, how essential the license is for career growth, and how good it will feel once you’re finally a CPA—if you keep in mind the end goal, it can help motivate you along the journey.

I also tried to make sure to balance studying with my job and personal life. Sometimes I didn’t have the energy at the end of the workday to study, or I wanted a weekend to travel or do something fun with friends and family. I made sure to let myself take breaks when I needed them; it’s important to give yourself time to disconnect from studying and enjoy the people in your life.

My advice: take lots of notes in your courses, and do your best to understand the material. Try not to wait too long to take the exams, too. The longer you wait, the more you’ll need to study.

Take the CPA Exam During the MPAc Program

Try to complete one of the exams while in the MPAc program or right after. The financial accounting courses are perfect preparation for the financial accounting and reporting (FAR) portion of the CPA exam. If you can get one exam behind you before you start working, you will be that much more primed for success.

If you need more evidence on the value of the CPA license, I’m happy to say that a month after getting my license, I was promoted to tax senior associate at CTW—the license really does open doors.

To anyone thinking of a career in accounting as a CPA, I can’t recommend the UC Davis MPAc program enough—it will help you reach your goals!