Sunday, March 29, 2009

Panic!

I started to panic this morning when I realized Audit is next Saturday and I haven’t even finished half of my Yaeger Home Study DVDs! So I did what any stressed out CPA Candidate would do – I prayed for an opening later in the month at my test center.

I was lucky and for $35 was able to move the test back another 2 weeks. Whew! I can breathe now!

Audit is the longest test (4.5 hours), but thankfully doesn't cover such a wide range of information as FAR or disparate topics like BEC. Like I mentioned in earlier posts, I have never taken Audit as a computerized test, so I have to be more diligent with my studying.

Instead of talking about studying, I am going to open my books now. Good luck to those of you who are also studying for the Exam!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Last Steak


Last night I wanted to use the remaining defrosted steak to create something different. I also needed it to feed 2 people. I resolved to make a version of steak fajitas that only required the ingredients I had on hand. I usually make pepper steak, so this is similar but includes lemon (or lime) and leaves out the tomato paste.

I cut the steak into strips and seasoned them with salt, pepper and oregano. I sautéed them with olive oil and added some lemon juice. I also briefly sautéed plenty of onion and pepper slices in olive oil and afterwards added them to the pan with the steak strips to absorb their flavor. It was so effortless to make, yet the lemon juice combined with the steak juices and spices gave the meal such a complex flavor that was unexpected. Next time I’m going to try it with lime juice!

Have you been pleasantly surprised by a meal you improvised? Please share!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Steak but Different: Compound Butter

I was craving something different to have with my steak and mashed potatoes. Béarnaise sauce or Mushroom Wine Sauce would be delicious, but the process of making them was more complex and time-consuming than I wanted.

I came across a recipe for Maitre d’hôtel Butter in one of my cookbooks. It is a classic compound butter used in French cuisine. It is basically butter flavored with fresh parsley and lemon juice. I ended up using a recipe from Emeril Lagasse, halved (I knew we wouldn't use that much butter, and we still had a good amount left over).

I put some of the butter on my steak and mashed potatoes. When it melted, it added a subtle buttery-yet-fresh flavor to the food. I had a lot left over to use next time, so I put the butter roll still wrapped in the plastic wrap in a freezer bag and froze it.

What is your favorite sauce for steak? Please share!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Rejected

“Although we were impressed with your background, we have decided to pursue another candidate.”

Ugh. Those words are like a dagger to my heart.

I feel like I just got dumped. By e-mail. Yes, e-mail. No phone call or letter. It was by e-mail.

How could it be? I thought we were a perfect fit. You wanted someone who can do A, B and C? I have done A, B and C at my previous jobs with fantastic results. You wanted someone who can help with D because your Cost Accounting person left? I have knowledge of D since I have a manufacturing company background. You wanted someone that fits in with your team? We had a great conversation and similar backgrounds and personalities.

Maybe the other candidate you chose to pursue was more entertaining during the interview and thus a better fit? Maybe he/she has an MBA or a CPA which I lack? Maybe he/she‘s requested salary range was lower than mine?

No matter how much I rack my brain, I will never figure out the answers to these questions. I will never know what went wrong.

The one thing I CAN take away from this experience is that no matter how “perfect” everything seems on an interview, it isn't a sure thing until you get that phone call/e-mail with an offer letter.

Please feel free to share your experiences interviewing in this tough job market.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Lost Track of Time? Make an Omelet!

I was reading my Wiley book for Audit and didn't realize it was past lunchtime. No wonder my stomach was growling. For a quick lunch, an omelet sandwich sounds good! Below is my recipe for an omelet I make all the time for breakfast, brunch, and sometimes even lunch.

You might find it completely unconventional that I don’t use milk in my omelet. My mom never used milk either, so I grew up eating omelets this way. I have made omelets with milk before, but I prefer them without. I need to taste the eggs; in my opinion the milk just takes away that flavor.

And, oh yes, my omelet is fluffy – you don’t need milk to make a fluffy omelet!

What did you think of my signature omelet? Did you change anything (like adding milk) or adding mushrooms, zucchini, etc? Let me know! I will post my awesome zucchini omelet next time I make it.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

REG in May

I’m psyched but nervous!
I just got my NTS for Regulation and set up my Prometric appointment right away.

So, I have 6 weeks to study after Audit. Plenty of time; well, it should be as long as I don’t procrastinate after taking Audit.

REG – you’re going down!

What’s for lunch? Warm Black-Eyed Pea Salad!

I was starving and wanted to make something easy but healthy and filling for lunch today. Cooking black-eyed peas is pretty effortless because you don’t have to soak them overnight. And they are cheap (99 cents a bag)! 

This recipe is very simple and versatile. I added dried parsley after I took this pic, but you can add any fresh or dry herb you wish. 

Did you add fresh herbs or other spices? Let me know what you added and how it tastes!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Viewing the AICPA’s Tutorial and Sample Questions

I decided to kick off my studying last week by creating a study outline for Audit. However, I haven’t done much studying after that and the number of days left until the Exam is dwindling.

To get a feel for AUD (since I have never taken the computerized version of that part, only the pen and paper version years ago), I decided to access the AICPA’s tutorial and sample questions at http://www.cpa-exam.org/lrc/exam_tutorial_parallel.html.

Tutorial
The Tutorial is not specific to each test section. It gives you a general feel for the test. Navigating through the tutorial was a waste of time for me since I have taken the other parts in the computerized form of the Exam and I know what to expect. I thought my time would be better spent looking at the sample questions for Audit.

Sample QuestionsThe sample questions are customized for each part of the CPA Exam. You have to install a program on your computer that runs the sample questions. Then you can choose to see Multiple Choice Only, a Simulation Only or an Entire Exam.

I ran Multiple Choice Only first to get a feel for the questions asked. Without studying, I was able to get 4 out of the 5 sample questions right.

Also surprisingly, I was able to get most of the simulation parts correct. I guess my audit knowledge is still pretty good because I was able to get all parts of Audit Risk, Analytics, Adjustments, and Research correct. I was tripped up by Audit Procedures and they don’t grade the Communications section in this sample exam.

I feel better about studying for AUD now because it seems doable.

Have you used the AICPA’s Tutorial and Sample questions to help you navigate the Exam and get a sense for the types of questions that are asked on the Exam? Let me know.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Signing Up to Re-take REG

I just cleared the first hurdle – I purchased the NTS to re-take Regulation.

I just couldn't motivate myself to do this, but now I’m over it. I am so determined to stop this seemingly never-ending cycle of test-taking.

When I receive my NTS in a few days, I will schedule the test for May. I thought I could be a CPA before June, but it looks like it will take a little longer.

I am on my way!

Have you ever felt discouraged at re-taking a part of the CPA Exam that you thought you would have been done with? Please share.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Braised Pork Chops

I find that I purchase pork chops quite often these days since pork is relatively cheaper than veal or steak. Some people may think that pork chops are boring, but it depends on how you cook them, seeing as they take on the flavors of spices very well.

Braising is an effective cooking technique used to make tough cuts of meat tender, but you can also braise tender cuts since it gives the meat more flavor. Braising involves searing the meat in oil or any other fat until it browns and then simmering it in a liquid in a covered pot.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Mixed Vegetables and Couscous for Lunch

Couscous can be used to prepare a cheap and filling lunch (well, I think it’s filling). I buy plain couscous at my supermarket for less than $3.50 a pound. For those who are not familiar with couscous, it’s basically wheat granules. I use it rather non-traditionally to prepare a sort of stir-fry with vegetables. I don’t use many spices in this recipe. The flavor comes from sautéing the vegetables alone with salt and pepper and then adding the couscous.

Try it and let me know what you think? What other spices would you add?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Trying to Get Back into Study Mode

I am having the hardest time starting to study for the next part of the CPA Exam. I just took BEC two Saturdays ago and found out I failed REG last Monday, so last week was my little break from studying.

I have already received my NTS, signed up at Prometric and received my Yaeger Home Study materials for Audit. Despite all this, I still can’t get started today.

Unquestionably, I am hesitant since I haven’t taken Audit in years; and never as a computerized test. I am going to take a look at the tutorial and sample questions on the AICPA’s CPA Exam website. Maybe that will inspire me to start!

Are you finding it difficult to study after taking another part recently? How do you get yourself motivated? Let me know!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Analyzing the Candidate Performance Report

The Candidate Performance Report is printed on the back of the Score Notice. It compares your performance with the performance of passing candidates for each Content Area. It also evaluates your overall performance in Multiple Choice, Simulations and Written Communications compared to passing candidates. Here's a link to the AICPA's FAQ for Candidate Performance Reports: http://www.cpa-exam.org/cpa/diagnostic_report_faqs.html. It also has a link to a sample report (PDF).

I understand that the Candidate Performance Report isn't a precise or completely reliable measurement (it even states that on the bottom of the page), but it’s the best tool we are given to analyze our performance and come up with a plan of action for passing the next time around.

I received my Candidate Performance Report for REG the other day and was very eager to analyze my grade per section compared with the last time I sat for this part. I received the same grade both times, despite additional studying, so I wondered what went wrong.

The result was rather shocking.

Business Law and Property Transactions remained relatively unchanged; this I expected. However, Ethics & Responsibilities was a surprise because my performance declined significantly. Maybe I didn't take that section as seriously since I did very well on it last time. On the other hand, I was happy to see that my extra study efforts for the Entity Taxation segment were well worth it; increasing my grade for that area considerably.

From this data, I realize that concentrating on weak areas at the expense of stronger areas is not the way to pass. I was close to a passing grade (9 points away), so the strategy made sense. But I don’t want to risk failing again, so I plan to study and do questions on all areas equally (and do questions at least twice for all sections) when I re-take REG in May.

Do you use your Candidate Performance Report to analyze your performance? Do you base your study plan on this report? Or do you just throw it in a drawer and start from scratch? Let me know what you do.