Should I Get A Personal Tutor For My CPA Exam Prep?

So you’ve decided you want to be a CPA. But how do you get started with your CPA exam prep? You’ve probably got a dozen things on your mind. Questions that need answering. Concepts you’re unsure about. Or maybe you’re a little rusty since it has been a while since you attended your accounting course at university. Perhaps you need someone to drive you – or keep an eye on you! Personal tutors are the simplest solution to all this and more.

“I Think I Can Do Without A Tutor”

If you’re someone who’s already done some research on the CPA exam, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re probably wondering things like ‘What review material should I buy?’, ‘Will hiring a personal tutor even be worth it?’, ‘Aren’t private tutors very expensive?’, ‘How do I even get started?’.

##RCAC Tip: Your prospective private tutor will be able to answer a lot of these questions. Take advantage of your first no-strings-attached FREE INQUIRY call to lay  these concerns to rest.

But for a moment, let me play devil’s advocate here. You might argue that there’s so much information available online and offline, why bother with a tutor at all? As for having someone to drive you, surely there’s a family member, friend or colleague who can cheer you on? And for those concepts you can’t get your head around, there has to be a forum or even Facebook group on the internet that can fix this for you? You’ll soon discover that relying on unqualified strangers and unguided material can fall short of your expectations by a long mile.

• Review materials are a great starting point, with reading material, video instruction, a question bank, and mock exams. But it isn’t enough, because it misses out one critical piece – tailor-made coaching designed with you in mind.
• Facebook and LinkedIn groups are great for networking with fellow professionals but may not be the best place to get your queries answered. Accuracy and the credentials of the person answering your questions can be an issue.
• Significant others, family members, and friends will be great listeners and sympathetic, but there are some things which only someone who’s been in your shoes will understand.

With pass rate hovering in the 50% range you can’t just ‘try your luck’. You need something that improves your chances significantly. Especially since those exam fees aren’t exactly cheap!

7 Reasons Why You Need A Personal CPA Tutor

Here are 7 reasons why getting a Personal CPA tutor may be the smartest investment you make.

1. Get the right tools and materials ready made. Save time and avoid going down the rabbit hole of endless information(not all of it relevant!) that is the internet.
2. Benefit from a tried and tested process. The CPA exam is no time for trial and error!
3. Tap the experience of your tutor who has gone through the process and knows first-hand what it involves.
4. Open a line of communication you can count on. Tutoring is interactive and on-demand vs. the uncertainty of online boards/forums.
5. Rely on accuracy. This is someone who is experienced and at the top of their game.
6. Bridge the gaps in your skill set. Your tutor is there to spot those weaknesses and help you work on them.
7. Catch up/brush up on your concepts if it has been a while since you did your accounting courses.

With this advantage of professional help, you should significantly boost your chances of passing the CPA exams in the first attempt.

What No One Tells You A CPA Tutor Can Do For You!

While you may have figured out some of the benefits of having a tutor already, here are some no one talks about. Things that can make all the difference.

Helps Motivate You: Let’s face it, the CPA exam experience can be incredibly stressful at times. Not to mention challenging. When the going gets tough it is good to know someone is in your corner. An accessible tutor like RCAC can help you overcome those speed bumps and get to the next level when you think you can’t. Knowing you have them there to help fill gaps in your knowledge will give you a confidence boost like no other!

Makes You More Accountable: When you have someone overseeing your work and prep, you will feel a greater sense of responsibility to do well. If no one knows or tracks your progress, you may have less incentive to stick with it because no one will be the wiser if you drop out or don’t score as well as you wanted.

For The Ultimate Study Buddy: You could scout for study buddies in your network or online, but you’ll probably find no one better than your personal tutor. Think of her/him as your more experienced friend who can guide you, support you, work with you the entire way.

Skills For Life: You’ll pick up skills that last well beyond the CPA exam. You may sign up to get coached for the tests, but you’ll learn skills that stand you in good stead in your career too. For instance, RCAC shares the little things she’s picked up and the nuances you can only learn from being both tutor and someone who’s worked in the accounting domain for over a decade.

##RCAC Tip:One of the things I find a tutor can really help you do is refocus on the “Why”.

“Why do I want to be a CPA?”. By revisiting your motivation to become a CPA, you can find a second wind when you most need it. Keep your eye on the prize and you’ll be able to push yourself a little harder.

You’ll be surprised to hear that during the prep process, money may not actually be the biggest motivator for clearing the CPA exam. And while making money off your new certificate is a sweetener, the satisfaction of achieving something is what might actually be a goal you’d lost sight of. Whatever your reasons, I’m here to help you find that and remember it from time to time.

Picking the Right Tutor is important

There are some things you shouldn’t compromise on when it comes to your tutor. Ask yourself these questions when you’re making a choice:

• What are their credentials and experience? Work experience, certifications, and credentials do matter. A seasoned tutor like RCAC can simplify things and apply their experience from the industry to help you tackle a problem. Find out what makes RCAC such a great CPA exam coach.

• Are they a good teacher? Teaching isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For instance, if you’re told things like “this is something you should already know” and feel like you’re left high and dry, that’s probably not the best teacher. A tutor needs to be willing to do all it takes to help you understand a concept. Besides the time spent with you, RCAC spends hours developing prep material that’s suited to you. A great tutor always goes the extra mile.
  

   

  
  ##RCAC Tip: Is this your second or third time trying to clear the CPA exam? A good tutor can help you identify what went wrong on earlier unsuccessful attempts. Only 1 in 5 people pass all 4 sections on the first try. By deep-diving into your scores, I can work with you to decide on a better plan of attack. For instance, this table outlines one aspect of what your score could mean.

• Are they your cheerleader? A good teacher is also encouraging and approachable. This is something you’ll know after an interaction. Sign up for RCAC’s initial FREE consultation and you’ll see for yourself that she’s someone who’s willing to back you up, motivate you, and laugh with you when things get stressful. In other words, she’s also your cheerleader.
• Are the charges reasonable? Remember, Expensive Rates Don’t Guarantee Passing. The CPA education/certification is pretty expensive on its own. Find someone reasonably priced. Read up reviews to pick someone who’s experienced/has good reviews but doesn’t cost the earth!

Now that you’re armed with the best way to pick a CPA tutor, why not get started right away?

Set up a call with RCAC and get going on your path to passing the CPA exam in this attempt!