Frequently Asked Questions

Contents

Live Course

  • Where do you teach your live classes?

    We are always adding new class locations to meet our students' needs. Please see our live class schedule page for class times and locations.

  • You teach on the weekends only. Why no weekday classes?

    After initially offering weekday and weekend classes, we found that students were able to concentrate and retain material better with weekend classes. A heavy work week coupled with evening classes meant a less effective study strategy.

  • What happens if I miss a class or want to review a class?

    Students can make up classes by watching the corresponding class online. Please see details on our online class makeup page.

  • How does Roger Philipp, CPA, personally teach all classes in all Live locations?

    Roger is the best instructor and the most effective method for learning the CPA Exam. We will not compromise our quality of instruction, and through the use of technology we have been able to extend our classroom locations to meet the needs of our students. All our classroom locations are taught by Roger, either via live webcast technology or with him in front of the class. When Roger is teaching in one location, we stream live via live webcast to our other classroom locations on the same schedule. Students in webcast locations see Roger on a large screen and can ask questions through our classroom proctor which Roger answers in real time. See Roger's full schedule of live CPA exam review classes.

  • How long can I attend live classes?

    You get 18 months from the first day you first come to classes to finish all your classes and all your repeats. You can repeat each class one time for a $50 fee per part. There are no homework or attendance requirements; it is an unconditional repeat. Please remember that only students enrolled in all four parts have the unconditional repeat option! Course policies.

  • Can I switch from live to online? Is there a fee?

    If you are enrolled in the live course you may mix and match study formats by parts. You may take some parts live and some parts online in any combination. For example, you could take AUD live, FAR and REG online, and then BEC live. The only exception is that you cannot attend the same exam section in both live and online study formats.  This means you could not take AUD live, then take AUD online, without using your unconditional repeat for that class.  For classes currently in session, you may attend no more than 1 full day (or the first 2 classes) to switch that part to online access.  For the part(s) you switch to online access, you will have either 9 months to watch all online hour-long lecture segments, or until your expiration date, whichever comes first.

    There is no fee to switch. The only cost to you is if you request that materials be mailed to you, in which case our standard shipping/handling rates apply.

  • What do I need to bring to my first class?

    Pen or pencil, and paper. Please bring a photo ID, method of payment if applicable, and any necessary proof (unofficial transcripts, proof of other CPA Review course enrollment, etc).

    Please also plan to come no later than 7:30 AM. You need to sign your registration form, pick up and make payment if applicable. If you are making installment payments by check, you will need to bring additional checks as well.

  • I heard that you can come to a free class. How can I do that?

    We welcome people to come to ANY of our classes, in any city at any time, to attend the first 2 hours free of cost or obligation. Please see our Free CPA Review Class page for details.

  • Can I take REG live and online at the same time?

    No. We do not offer concurrent enrollment in live and online courses unless you purchase your repeat as an online class. But if you miss live classes, or need to see a class again, you may reserve an online class.

    You can, however, be enrolled for a part as a live student (FAR, for example), and concurrently take a different part (AUD, for example) online at the same time.

  • I live close to more than one location. Can I take the classes in different cities?

    Yes, absolutely. Many of our students do so.

  • I need to reschedule or "unschedule" classes. Is that okay? Do I have to pay extra for it?

    You do not have to pay anything to change your class schedule. As long as you are within your 18 months of access, you may change your schedule however you need to. Your student account manager will lock you out of modifying your schedule within 48 hours of a class's start date. Simply contact the office and we can assist you.

  • I'm worried the classes are going to fill up. How early do I need to register?

    In order to receive your materials in a timely manner, we suggest students register for their Live classes of choice no later than 2 weeks before that particular class session begins. Because materials are not available at Live class locations, you must ensure you enroll early enough to receive the books you will need to follow along in class.

Online Course

  • How does this work? Do you broadcast from your live classes?

    We film classes twice a year and make them available via streaming feed on our web site so that students can watch the classes completely on demand. You can also view the classes from any PC you use – work or home. Please take a look at a demo to see for yourself.

  • What do I need to run the online classes?

    Visit our technical support page to perform a system scan and verify that your computer is compatible with Roger's online course.

  • I have a Mac. Will the course work?

    Our online course will work on either Macs or PCs that meet or exceed the minimum system requirements.  We also support all of the most popular modern internet browsers.

    In order to view the Online Course you must have Adobe Flash Player 9 or higher installed. We recommend viewing with a LAN or cable connection. We do not support dial-up connections. AOL users may view the course as long as the requirements above are met. Adobe Flash Player 9 is offered for FREE at http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download

    Questions? Contact Support.

  • I prefer to use Mozilla Firefox, not Internet Explorer. Will the course still run?

    Yes, our course works with most popular modern internet browsers, including the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

  • How long do I get to watch the classes? How does your repeat policy work?

    You will be able to access your classes for 9 months initially, viewing each hour-long lecture segment up to 2 times by default. Within 4 months of your initial expiration date, you may enroll in your unconditional repeat(s) at $50 per part for whatever parts you need. You will then get another 9 months of access. Should we refilm and update classes, your classes will be automatically refreshed so that you have the most current classes available. Please remember that only students enrolled in all four parts have the unconditional repeat option! Course policies.

  • What happens if I have a question about concepts or homework?

    Students may use our study message boards and chat rooms to ask questions. You may also contact our office and email Roger Philipp directly for additional assistance.

    Since Roger Philipp has been teaching all four parts of the CPA Exam review for over 20 years, he knows what areas students have questions. He has designed his lectures to cover difficult concepts in-depth to preemptively answer student questions.  You will find that the majority of your questions will be answered as you continue to watch the lecture.

  • Why am I limited to only 2 viewings per class?

    Each student receives two viewings of each one-hour lecture segment.  Students may contact our office in the event of a technical difficulty or the desire to re-watch a segment and we will certainly reset any individual segments as many times as needed.

    We offer our online course at a 2-viewing default as a guide to our students.  As the review course is 100 hours in length, students must stay on schedule to get through all lectures in a timely manner so they can sit for each section of the exam and pass within their 18 month window.  Multiple viewings of lectures hinders study progress and is unnecessary to successfully learn the topics and pass the CPA Exam.

  • How do I access my classes?

    Click the Student Login link in the site header, log in, and look for the "View Online Course" link in the right-hand column.

USB External Hard Drive Course

Cram Course

  • What is a cram course?

    Our cram course is designed as a condensed version of our full-length course and covers only the most frequently tested topics on the exam. The cram is designed for those students who have already fully prepared for the CPA Exam using a fully length review, and need an extra study boost right before exam day.  The entire cram course is 40 hours long.

      CRAM Course Full Course
    FAR
    16 hours
    32 hours
    REG
    8 hours
    24 hours
    AUD
    8 hours
    20 hours
    BEC
    8 hours
    16 hours

    We offer our cram course in Online and USB flash drive formats.

  • Do you have a live cram?

    No. Since the exam's computerization in 2004 with four testing windows available, students are no longer cramming at the same time, as they usually did when they could take the examination only twice per year prior to 2004. We film our crams at least once per year to ensure that students have the most current information possible.

  • Why is there such a big price difference between the online cram and the Flash Drive Cram?

    The Online Cram lectures can be viewed one time each.  The Flash Drive Cram lectures can be viewed an unlimited number of times within the access period.

  • What is the difference between the cram course and the regular course?

    The Roger CPA Review Live, Online, and USB drive courses are designed to be full preparations for the CPA Exam and cover every topic tested on exam day.   The cram course is designed as a quick review of many of the heavily tested topics on the CPA Exam.  The cram courses do not cover every topic tested on the exam, as it is designed as a summary and "cram" course to be taken immediately before sitting for the CPA Exam.  The cram course is a quick review and should NOT be used as a replacement for complete CPA Exam preparation that is offered by our regular Live, Online and USB drive courses.

    Contact us and we will be happy to discuss what study format is best for you.

Materials

  • Are materials included in the course price? And what exactly is included?

    Yes, they are. Materials are distributed as follows…

    Live, Online, USB Course – For each section of review a student will receive:

    (Full courses include all 4 Roger's books, 4 Homework books, and 4 Exam Simulation Software CD-ROMs).

    Cram (Online, Flash Drive) Course – For each part, a student will receive Roger's Cram Book, which is a condensed version of Roger's full-length book. No other materials are included.

    The Roger's Cram books contains some multiple-choice and simulation problems that are covered in lecture. The most recently released AICPA questions will also be included with Roger's cram book.

  • I am a live student. Can I get my books early?

    If your course is paid for in full and you are willing to pay applicable shipping charges ($14.95 per part, or $45 for all four parts), yes, you may. But please consider the following things:

    • You will receive books on the first day of class for any classes scheduled during a session. This way, you always have the latest most up-to-date version.
    • You will not need to do any pre-studying prior to starting our review course. Furthermore, Roger Philipp will cover all the concepts you need to know during class so that you can focus your study energy properly after class has begun.
    • We update the "Roger's books" twice a year, once in January, and once in June. New materials for Wiley are released by January of each year. If you registered in the live course in October and do not intend to start classes until February of the following year, we would strongly discourage you from requesting materials early because you will not have the latest Roger's book. Books cannot be exchanged for updated versions, because we do not re-sell our old books. It is best to pick up your books for each session at the first class you schedule during that session.

  • I need a new Roger's book. Will you send me one?

    If you are a past student of Roger CPA Review, you may opt to buy a new Roger's book for the parts you have taken with us, but you may not need to. If the year difference is small (ie, your book is from 2007 and it is now 2008), simply contact us and please ask to have updates e-mailed to you in .doc or .pdf format.

    If you are trying to study from materials that were published 2 or more years ago, we recommend that you purchase new materials.

  • Has the AICPA released any new questions?

    It depends on the time of year. You can always contact us to inquire. We will gladly provide copies of officially released AICPA questions to all current and past Roger CPA Review students.

  • How many multiple-choice questions do the Homework books have?

    Over 4,000 multiple-choice questions are included in the full set. We will also cover several multiple-choice questions in each class.

  • How many simulations do the CPA Exam Simulations Software CD-ROMs have?

    Over 200 simulations are included in the full set. We will also cover several simulations in each class. The CD-ROMs also contain over 4,000 multiple-choice questions.

  • Do you include flashcards? Do I need to buy anything else to help me pass the exam?

    In an effort to keep our prices as low as possible, they are not included in the cost of our course.  While our CPA Exam review courses give students all the materials needed to properly prepare and pass the CPA exam, we offer flashcards and other study aids for those students who want additional study assistance.

Discounts, Deposits, Product Orders, and Payment Plans

  • Do you offer any discounts?

    Yes. We offer discounts to current and full-time undergraduate or graduate students, to past students of other CPA review courses, to past students of Roger CPA Review, and to employees of some firms and agencies. Restrictions do apply. Please contact us for more details.

    Please note that if you are claiming any discounts we will need to see appropriate proof.

    For students, proof constitutes unofficial or official transcripts proving you were a full-time student for the term during which you placed your deposit.

    For past students of another CPA review course, you must provide documentation from the review course that displays your name, when you took the course, what courses you took, and what you paid for them.

    For employees of a participating firm or agency, proof constitutes an offer letter (if you have not yet started) or an e-mail from your work e-mail address, an employee badge, etc.

    If you are placing a product order (online course, USB external hard drive course, crams) at a discounted price, we must have proof before we can ship your order.

  • What is the "deposit" option?

    The $100 deposit is an option we offer to current college students and serves to lock in the current student discount for an indefinite period of time. This deposit can also be used to lock in firm pricing. The $100 deposit is an outstanding option for students because it allows them to lock in a low price even if they do not plan to sit for the exam for months or years to come.

    Please note that the $100 deposit is fully refundable as well if you do not take our course. .

  • Do you offer financing or payment plans?

    For product orders (online course, USB external hard drive course, crams, other products), you will need to provide payment in full to receive materials and start your course. This is because you have access to all the materials and lectures upon receiving them in shipping.

    For the live course, we do offer a monthly payment plan if students purchase all four parts. The first payment is due on or before your first day of class, and the subsequent payments are due each month thereafter on the day you first attended class. For example, if you begin class on January 15th and have a 4-payment plan, your next three payments are due on February 15th, March 15th, and April 15th.

    One-time fees for the payment plans are $25 for a two-payment plan, $35 for a three-payment plan, and $45 for a four-payment plan. The correlating total will be added to your balance due and then divided according to the number of payments.

    .

    Number of installments:
    Payment per installment:
    Admin fee: $50
    Total tuition:

  • What are your other fees?

    A $50 registration administration fee applies to live, online, or USB enrollments.

    A $50 admin registration fee for each repeated part also applies for the live and online courses.

  • I just ordered your online course. When do I get it?

    As soon as you receive your order confirmation e-mail, you can access your online classes. Please allow 24-48 hours to process and ship your order. We ship via UPS Ground by default, which can take anywhere between 1-5 days within the U.S. from our San Francisco, CA office.

    For expedited or international shipping, please contact the office for pricing estimates.

  • I won a scholarship! How do I redeem it?

    Course scholarships can be redeemed for Live, Online or USB Drive Courses. To redeem your certificates, you must first mail in your certificate along with the scholarship redemption form to:

    Roger CPA Review
    Attn: Registration
    1288 Columbus Ave #278
    San Francisco, CA 94133

    A Roger CPA Review representative will contact you upon receipt of your form to calculate associated fees and complete you order. Please note — if redeeming this award for a live course, your scholarship must be received by Roger CPA Review Office Staff no less than one week prior to your expected start date.

The CPA Exam – Qualifying, Studying, and Passing!

  • How do I become a CPA?

    Visit our Become a CPA section to learn the four steps to becoming a CPA:

    1. Qualify & Apply
    2. Take the CPA Exam
    3. CPA Licensure
    4. CPA Careers

  • What do I need to sit for the CPA exam?

    Requirements vary by state.

    For the most part, states vary between requiring 24 - 27 semester units (or 36 - 40.5 quarter units) of accounting and 24-27 semester units (or 36 - 40.5 quarter units) of business in order to qualify to sit for the exam. These units may be included in your degree, or they may be obtained from any accredited university. They can be upper- or lower- division.

    Most states have adopted the 150 hour rule which requires you to have 150 total semester hours before applying and included in this total are accounting and business unit requirements.

    Please view the CPA exam requirements by state page for more information.

  • I went to a quarter school to get my degree and took my extra accounting and business units at a semester school. So I have some of those units in semester units and some in quarter units. Can I still take the CPA exam?

    Yes. You can see above that the California State Board uses this ratio: 1 semester unit = 1.5 quarter unit

    Apply the same ratio to your collective units, converting them to either all quarter or all semester.

  • I took Accounting 301. Do you know if that counts as accounting or business?

    Usually, if accounting is in the title it counts towards the accounting unit requirements, but because our students come from a variety of different schools throughout the state and the nation, it is very difficult for us to make this determination based on a class title and number. Please contact the appropriate department office at your campus for more information.

  • I heard that I will need my diploma to sit for the exam. Is that true? I go to a big state school where people get their diplomas five months after they graduate!

    No, you do not need your diploma. You need only final transcripts upon which your degree is posted. This process can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after you complete your last term, depending on the campus.

  • If I take a Roger CPA Review course, can I get accounting or business units for the exam?

    No. Only units from degree-granting institutions qualify. We are a licensed private postsecondary institution, but we are not a university or college. We can, however, assist you in finding classes that will fulfill the educational requirements of the exam. If you need advice on where to take classes, please contact us, and we will do whatever we can to assist you.

  • When should I take the CPA exam?

    As soon as you possibly can! NASBA statistics show a higher pass rate for recent graduates. The closer you are to graduation, the higher your likelihood of passing.

    If you are a recent graduate, an ideal time to begin exam preparation is during the weeks or months between completing your college career and your start date with your new employer.

    Employers also encourage their staff to take the exam at the beginning of their career. They cannot advance staff unless they are licensed CPAs. If you have already begun your accounting career, do not worry. Many CPA exam test-takers are currently employed in accounting and are still able to successfully study for and pass the exam. Since the exam is now computerized, candidates may schedule to take it during the first 2 months of each quarter.

  • I think I have the units to qualify. How can I start my application process?

    For California applicants, please visit the State Board of Accountancy's website here https://www.cba.ca.gov/cbt_public. You will need to apply online to take the examination. You will also need to pay the $100 first-time CPA Exam Applicant fee at this time. For candidates in other states, please visit www.nasba.org for process in your state.

  • Will you look at my transcripts before I apply?

    We are not authorized to evaluate transcripts. The help we can provide in this arena is limited. Please contact your campus or alma mater's appropriate department for assistance.

  • How do I send the State Board my transcripts? How long does this take?

    The transcript process varies by campus. Contact your alma mater's registrar office to learn more. We strongly recommend using rush transcript services. The upgrade fee from regular processing to expedited processing is often negligible. It is worth it!

    State Board of Accountancies vary in their time evaluating transcripts depending upon the amount of applicants applying. Contact your state board for estimates. CA state board generally takes between 2-4 weeks depending upon volume of applications.

  • I am graduating in mid-May and want to finish the exam by August. How do you recommend I go about doing this?

    It is not likely that you will be able to pass all four parts by August. We recommend that students take no more than two parts in the same window. The windows are: January – February    April – May    July – August    October – November.

    Note that the third month of each quarter – March, June, September, and December – are completely closed to testing.

    If you take your last final in the middle of May, assume that your school is able to post final transcripts and have them processed and sent to the State Board by early June. Then assume it takes the state board 4 weeks to approve your transcripts and notify you of this approval, which would be early July.

    At this point, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT). You will then indicate which parts you will take and notify NASBA within 90 days of the ATT, and NASBA issue you a Notice to Schedule (NTS), good for 9 months in California. Once you obtain the NTS, you may then contact the Prometric testing center of your choice to schedule the exam.

    To meet your goal of taking and passing all four parts, you would then need to schedule all four parts in the July-August testing window. Also, please remember that our review course is almost 100 hours. Factor in an additional 200-300 hours of study time, which results in a 300-400 hour time commitment. It is in your best interests not to put this type of stress upon yourself and space out your exams into at least two testing windows.

  • What part should I take first? I heard that BEC is easy and REG is the hardest.

    There is no "magic formula" for figuring out which parts to take in what sequence. But we can offer some tips.

    If you are a live student, simply start with whichever class is being offered next at your closest city. If you are an online or USB drive student, you have a bit more flexibility. You should begin with the part you think you are the most comfortable with – for example, if you are currently working in tax, it makes sense to take REG first and build your confidence.

    Rest assured that you can be successful in passing the CPA Exam regardless of whatever sequence of the four parts you decide upon. The most important factor in deciding upon which part to study for and take at which time will always be your schedule!

Et Cetera

  • What is your supplier diversity statement?

    We embrace diversity as an absolutely vital component to the growth of our business by providing comprehensive services involving and related to the Uniform CPA Exam. We aim to expand our business opportunities by fortifying our partnerships with ethnic minority, women, small, disabled, LGBT, and veteran-owned enterprises as valuable competitive assets. We incorporate our diversity policy in all that we undertake by annually granting full and partial review course scholarships to hundreds of undergraduate accounting students and diversity-focused organizations; by partnering with national professional organizations; by executing supplier diversity initiatives; and by retaining a diverse staff.