Download Wiley CPA Exam Review 2011, Business Environment and Concepts (Wiley CPA Examination Review: Business Environment Concepts) ePub

Wiley is not original. They put in free MCQs released by the AICPA in every single exam at the end of each module. In addition, the use the same MCQs in the book for the software. Bottom line, they put in minimal effort, which is ALSO exemplified by their little to no additions to new editions. You would think a publisher would appreciate the high sales volume and strive to improve the product and take feedback seriously. Unfortunately this is not the case.

This is a must have on top of becker review classes..it gives you additional practice, so much that you will never entirely finish all the questions.

Hello, I run a CPA exam preparation website and I would like to share with you my thoughts on the pros and cons on this latest BEC exam prep book from Wiley.

PROS

1. Comprehensive and well-written

Considering that BEC is a mixed bag of miscellaneous topics, I think this book is organized and well written.

The content is divided into 8 modules covering internal control, governance, risk management, information technology, cost accounting and financial budgeting, tracking and management. Each module is around 30-50 pages with > 700 multiple choice questions. More importantly, this 2011 version includes 13 written communications, a brand new section you will see in the actual exam.

The first 4 chapters are helpful for first-timers as the authors explain the grading, format and strategies on how to pass the exam. It also includes (in the appendix) actual questions released by AICPA together with detailed explanation by the two experienced authors.

2. Organized In New 2011 Exam Format

In terms of content, the change in BEC is not material -- there aren't really new topics but the questions are more globally focused. The change in format is significant because of the addition of 3 written communications. In any case, this BEC prep book is organized in accordance with the latest AICPA guideline so the questions will likely be similar to the ones in actual exam.

3. Great Value-For-Money

This is one of the most affordable CPA review materials you can find anywhere. For many years, this Wiley series is the best-selling CPA review books on Amazon (by the way, get this here instead of bookstore or Wiley's website -- definitely cheaper)

4. Competitors Are Using Wiley As Supplements

A few CPA exam review courses such as Roger CPA Review and Yaeger CPA Review use Wiley's books and CDs to complement their lectures. In fact, Yaeger's DVD course spend a lot of time going through Wiley's MC questions as a way to clarify the accounting concepts.

CONS

1. Too comprehensive?

I guess the flip side of being very comprehensive is that it can be overwhelming -- While it is not as big a problem for BEC (because of fewer topics covered), it's still a big and scary book packed with small prints. The lecture notes in some other review courses are more concise with mnemonics to help you retain the materials.

2. Not An Integrated Approach

If you like this Wiley CPA review book, I strongly encourage you to get the Wiley CPA Exam Review 2011 Test Bank CD , Business Environment and Concepts for the practice questions in computerized format. However, the Wiley book + software combo is still far from the "guided review course" with lectures and a channel for you to ask a question or clarify a concept. In my opinion, the guided reviews, be it a live class or a self-study DVD, is a more integrated and thus better approach.

3. Poor Touch and Feel

Since you are considering purchasing the book online without physically flipping through the book, I'd like to bring this to your attention. All books in this Wiley series are printed on thin newspaper print, which may not sound like a big deal but is surprisingly a common compliant from my readers.

Also, the questions are often straddled between pages and you have to flip back and forth to read the answer. This can be quite annoying when you are tired and running out of study time.

CONCLUSION

If you are a good accounting student, capable of intensive self-study for at least several months, and that you have someone to turn to if you have questions, then this Wiley BEC exam prep book (together with the other 3 books in this series) can be an excellent choice. In fact, many candidates pass the exam with these books alone.

However, I do encourage you to take advantage of Amazon's feature to "look inside" the book and see if you are fine with the condensed text, and seriously evaluate whether you have the dedication and discipline to tackle the exam pretty much on your own. If you aren't sure, you may want to check out the other guided review courses; if the answer is yes, click the buy button and start your CPA journey right away. Best of luck to your exam!

Wiley books are among the best CPA review materials for the money there is. They are thorough and accurate and have served me well thus far on the exam, with three passed and one to go. If you can learn on your own without a teacher, don't waste hundreds or thousands of dollars on other courses. You can probably pass with Wiley alone.

I bought these books to accompany the Roger Philipp CPA Review Books and online lectures. The books have helped me pass all sections of the CPA exam to date. The multiple choice questions contained in the books are great practice for the test. I highly recommend them!

This is the only study guide you will need to pass the BEC section of the CPA on the first go around. It's not exciting reading but this is accounting after all.