Winston CPA Group
My message to CPA candidates:
“Make this short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain.”
- Nikki Winston
CPA Exam Strategist | Career Coach | Technical Writer
All Things CPA Exam
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CPA Exam Questions Simplified
There's practice questions from all 4 exam sections. I picked these questions as they can easily trip you up if you don't read them carefully.
Take time to LEARN, not just memorize the reasoning behind the concepts and make your own notes so you can apply what you've learned to other questions and other exam sections.
Nikki Winston, CPA
CPA Exam Strategist | Career Coach
Accounting & Tax Writer
I sat for 13 exams over 1,373 days. I struggled with the CPA exam because (1) I didn’t know how to study effectively and (2) couldn't find time to study being a mom and working full-time I already didn’t have enough time to do anything else.
The Winston CPA Exam Virtual Classroom contains all of the strategies, simulations tips, and question tricks that I learned as a CPA candidate. If you're struggling to pass the CPA exam, join us in the virtual classroom.
This is NOT the traditional CPA exam review course.
I built this program around what candidates tell me they need. They’re committed to studying but they want to maximize their study time. They want a different way of looking at the accounting concepts, instead of glazing over something and then memorizing for an exam that’s weeks or months away.
The Winston CPA Exam Virtual Classroom is not like other review programs:
- Proven study strategies and exam tips not found in traditional review courses
- Learn frequently-tested accounting concepts not just memorization
- Self-paced format supplements other course materials
- Created with love by a 13-time CPA candidate who understands the CPA exam struggle
The Winston CPA Exam Virtual Classroom
had a 100% pass rate in the first 3 months!
What this community is:
Created by CPAs who have taken the computerized CPA exam
Equipped to provide you with CPA exam strategies, guidance, & career coaching for the CPA exam
Access to a diverse network of active CPAs, candidates, and exclusive career opportunities
What this community is NOT:
Answers to every multiple-choice question, simulation, & written communication
A skate-by program to memroize & skip studying
Free. The same way you’d pay for books and questions for other CPA exam review programs, give us that same love. 🥰
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM?
Premium podcast episodes
As a member of the Winston CPA Exam Virtual Classroom, you have exclusive access to CPA exam series. Each episode focuses on specific exam topics and best practices to still have a life while you study for the CPA exam.
Monthly CPA Exam Q&A with Nikki
Each month we host a live Q&A for you to ask all of your questions about the CPA exam, study tips, and what to expect after you pass the exam. The sessions are recorded so if you miss one, as a premium member you’ll have access to the session replays I’m your private podcast feed.
Score release analysis
Premium members get a free analysis of CPA exam scores. If you failed the exam and need to know where you went wrong, the score analysis pinpoints areas to focus on plus proven study tips so you learn the concepts.
Members-only Content Library
Get unlimited access to my CPA exam content; these are study notes, practice exam questions, simulation tutorials, and more. Plus: CPA candidate workbooks and my courses on managing stress and anxiety while studying for the CPA exam.
CPA exam topic tutorials
Do you feel like you're studying for hours but not learning anything? I've created tutorials on the frequently tested CPA exam topics to help you better understand the concepts. You can then apply what you've learned to other sections of the CPA exam - and your accounting career once you get your license.
The CPA Exam Virtual Classroom covers all 4 sections of the exam and even if you’ve already purchased a review course, the program is built to reinforce your learning and give you a unique way of looking at accounting concepts.
Reviews & Kind Words
"The FAR workshop was very informative, especially with the MCQs. I find it better to go over the exam material with a live person verses watching a lecture more than once."
Future CPA
"The FAR workshop was definitely worth the investment!"
Future CPA
"I look forward to Nikki’s podcast especially all things CPA exam related and motivation. It’s like I have found my long lost friend."
Podcast Listener
I worked in accounting for TEN years before I got serious about the CPA exam.
I sat for 13 exams over 1,373 days. I struggled with the CPA exam because (1) I didn’t know how to study effectively and (2) couldn't find time to study being a mom and working full-time I already didn’t have enough time to do anything else.
My biggest professional accomplishment is passing that exam and becoming a CPA. I started my journey with the traditional approach of enrolling in a review course - spending hours reading 60+ page chapters, watching lectures, trying to consume all of this information - only to get to the practice questions and all of my answers were wrong. Here I am putting in all these hours of studying and re-reading things 3 and 4 times like why is this not clicking, and then I realized that method wasn’t working for me. I passed the CPA exam when I switched my study strategies and focused on understanding the concepts instead of trying to memorize everything.
Future CPAs: What's Your Story?
Which exam are you studying for? What made you choose accounting? Share your CPA exam journey and get featured in our CPA Candidate Spotlight!
Click right here to start the interview and upload your dopest photos for the feature.
Questions from CPA Candidates
about the CPA exam...
I heard FAR is really hard. How do I pass it?
Don't believe everything you hear. FAR wasn't that difficult to me - but audit gave me the BLUES, so it depends. It's important to learn FAR content because it repeats in other sections of the CPA exam. Have you listened to the Get Focused with FAR podcast episode? It's how I prepared myself to take FAR - all 3 times.
What are CPA exam blueprints and what do I do with them?
CPA exam blueprints are the outlines issued by the AICPA that provide candidates with a list of topics that could be tested on each section of the CPA exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). Most review courses build their curriculums around blueprints.
The latest blueprints were recently issued. Download your copy and watch this tutorial I created to show you how to use the blueprints as you study: How to Use CPA Exam Blueprints
I heard the CPA exam is hard. What can I do to not stress myself out?
The CPA exam is a challenging worth taking so don't stress. That's easier said than done right?
Here's my advice to candidates on dealing with anxiety and exam-day jitters: Dealing with CPA Exam Stress & Anxiety.
I just got my score and I failed. What now?!
Ugh. Those fails are the worst! First, feel all the emotions you need to feel. Second, get back on track with my Retake Roadmap program that gives you a step-by-step plan to bounce back after failing an exam.
Access the Retake Roadmap coaching session on-demand here: Retake Roadmap
This is a lot of stuff to learn and I'm overwhelmed. How am I supposed to learn all of this before my exam day?
The CPA exam is 1 thing where being a jack-of-all-trades can work in your favor. The content can feel overwhelming so as long as you're (1) organized and (2) learning the high-level concepts you're on the right path to preparing for the exam.
Here's some things to keep in mind as you study for the CPA exam: CPA Exam Do's & Don'ts
I spend a lot of time studying but don't feel like I'm learning anything. What am I doing wrong?
I've written several blogs about the CPA exam, study tips, and the importance of being disciplined about studying.
Check out the CPA exam blog posts here.
I just graduated. How soon should I start studying for the CPA exam?
First, kudos on earning your degree! Once you graduate and want to go for your CPA license, download the latest version of the CPA Candidate Bulletin from the AICPA's website. This guide gives you an overview of the exam process, scoring, and application process.
Another useful resource is my CPA Exam 101 course that you can access for free here: CPA Exam 101.
I want to become a CPA but where do I start?
Start first with getting familiar with the CPA exam structure & content. Then understand who the key players are and what it takes to pass.
I could write a ton more but here's a free course I created that addresses everything new candidates need to know to get started with the CPA exam. Access my free CPA Exam 101 course.
You're so passionate about the CPA exam. Where did that come from?
Thank you! Being a CPA exam coach was nowhere on my goals list. It was after I passed and started getting questions from other candidates looking for help when I realized I needed to do something.
After I posted a celebratory message on LinkedIn about passing the CPA exam, I started getting messages everyday from candidates asking for exam tips. Then I realized there were soooo many future CPAs looking for guidance like I was.
I wanted to go deeper into CPA exam prep with candidates but answering tough exam questions via DMs and email wasn't enough - so my passion turned into a thriving business.
Are you still doing coaching sessions?
Yes! CPA Exam group coaching sessions are held each month and private coaching sessions are held by appointment.
I have kids. How and where do I find study time?!
Being a busy mom is overwhelming enough - then add to that the CPA exam?!
Studying and parenting ain't easy, but it's doable. There's a session called Finding Time to Study in the CPA Exam Virtual Classroom for simple ways to study with kids or while working (or both)!
Which exam should I take first?
There's no right or wrong answer because it depends on your current knowledge of accounting concepts. I was strong in corporate accounting so I took FAR first. Start where you feel most comfortable to build up your confidence early.
I address this question and many more in the CPA Exam Q&A episode of The WERKin' Mommas podcast available on all podcast platforms. Listen on Apple Podcasts here: CPA Exam Q&A
How do I choose a CPA exam review course?
This depends on a lot of things like your learning style, what you already know, and of course your budget.
Many candidates ask this and I address this question and many more in the CPA Exam Q&A episode of The WERKin' Mommas podcast available on all podcast platforms. Listen on Apple Podcasts here: CPA Exam Q&A
I spend a lot of time studying but don't feel like I'm learning anything. What am I doing wrong?
I've written several blogs about the CPA exam, study tips, and the importance of being disciplined about studying.
Check out the CPA exam blog posts here.