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Best CPA Prep Books

Updated July 2022
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Best of the Best
Wiley CPA 2022 Study Guide + Question Pack: Complete Set, 1st Edition
Wiley
CPA 2022 Study Guide + Question Pack: Complete Set, 1st Edition
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Most Comprehensive
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An intensive, detailed choice for specific topics related to business concepts included on the CPA exam.

Pros

Complete, in-depth study guide for 2022 that focuses on business and accounting in an 8-volume set. Hones accounting skills with 2,000 sample test questions and 20 task-based simulations. Features detailed answer rationales to offer full understanding.

Cons

It's costly, but it's perhaps the most comprehensive CPA study guide available.

Best Bang for the Buck
McGraw-Hill Education 2,000 Review Questions for the CPA Exam, 1st Edition
McGraw-Hill Education
2,000 Review Questions for the CPA Exam, 1st Edition
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Budget Choice
Bottom Line

Offers a bulk of information in a single book at a budget-friendly price — an unbeatable deal for complete CPA test preparation.

Pros

Readers studying for the CPA exam will find that this guide's 2,000+ in-depth questions cover most aspects of accounting useful in preparing for the test. Users have noted the sample questions are similar to actual questions found on the test.

Cons

Some of the included answers to the sample test questions could be more informative.

Wiley CPA 2022 Study Guide + Question Pack: Financial Accounting and Reporting, 1st Edition
Wiley
CPA 2022 Study Guide + Question Pack: Financial Accounting and Reporting, 1st Edition
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Best Supplement
Bottom Line

A solid study aid and supplement to your additional CPA test-prep materials that comes from a well-known brand name.

Pros

Updated for 2022, this 2-volume set is easy to read and follow. Ideal addition to other CPA study guides and textbooks. Contains 500 multiple-choice practice questions and 5 task-based simulations, meant to familiarize test-takers with the exam format. Features detailed answer explanations.

Cons

Information can be quite broad compared to some of the questions or topics that appear on the official CPA exam.

Wiley CPAexcel Exam Review 2021 Study Guide + Question Pack: Financial Accounting and Reporting
Wiley
CPAexcel Exam Review 2021 Study Guide + Question Pack: Financial Accounting and Reporting
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

The most to-date edition, this pick features an overview of subjects in 2 separate books, consolidating the study guide from answering practice questions.

Pros

Material for all 4 sections of the exam, each complete with 500 multiple choice questions, 5 task stimulations, and 1-month's access to the online question bank. Incorporates CPA language to familiarize readers with actual test content. Updated for the 2022 exam.

Cons

A simpler prep guide compared to more in-depth choices, but it's still informative and useful.

Wiley CPAexcel Exam Review: Financial Accounting and Reporting
Wiley
CPAexcel Exam Review: Financial Accounting and Reporting
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Trusted Source
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A comprehensive guide to specific subjects in the exam, complete with review questions and explanations.

Pros

In-depth analysis of the Financial Accounting and Report section. Ordered in smaller and straightforward segments to make the material easier to digest. Recently updated. Includes 500 questions, 5 printed stimulations, and several explanations so exam-takers can practice their test-taking skills.

Cons

May not be the best option for students wanting a broad overview of the exam. However, you can choose to buy the other volumes as well.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
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Buying guide for Best CPA prep books

Certified public accountants (CPA) are always in demand, and the field is slated to grow quickly over the next decade. These professionals usually have good job stability and comfortable salaries, plus they never have to pay to have their taxes done. But in order to become a CPA, you have to pass a comprehensive four-part exam. It requires a lot of study, but with the help of a good CPA prep book, you can set yourself on the path to success.

Every book claims to be the best study resource, so it can be difficult to know which to believe. A good CPA prep book covers each section of the exam in detail and offers sample questions and test-taking strategies to help you improve your odds of success.

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The CPA exam is a computer-based test and requires basic spreadsheet and word processing skills.

What is the CPA exam?

The CPA exam is a thorough examination of all the key concepts and laws that you must know in order to succeed as a CPA. All 50 states require aspiring CPAs to pass this nationally standardized exam in order to begin practicing. You must also usually meet education and work experience requirements in order to earn your license.

Unlike most professional certification exams, you don’t take the CPA exam all at once. Instead, you take each of the four sections individually, so you can study for them one at a time. You must pass all sections within 18 months in order to earn your license.

What does the CPA exam cover?

The CPA exam includes four sections:

  • Auditing and Attestation (AUD)

  • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)

  • Regulation (REG)

  • Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

Each section is broken down into five “testlets.” Two of these always have multiple-choice questions.

  • AUD, FAR, and REG: These sections also have three task-based simulation (TBS) testlets. These sections require you to demonstrate your understanding of the important concepts in real-world scenarios you might encounter on the job.

  • BEC: This section includes two TBS testlets and a final written communication testlet that measures your knowledge and business writing skills.

How is the CPA exam scored?

Pass/fail: Each section of the CPA exam is scored individually on a pass/fail basis. You must pass all sections in order to pass the exam. If you fail a single section, you are only required to retake that section, provided that you pass all four sections within 18 months.

Scaled scores: For each section, you’re given a scaled score from 0 to 99. The passing score is 75. These numbers do not indicate the number of questions that you got right. Rather, they are scaled scores calculated based on the difficulty of each question. This means that you get more points for answering a difficult question correctly than you do for an easy question. This strategy is designed to ensure that the passing grade represents an equal level of knowledge across all versions of the exam, even if one version is slightly easier or harder than the next.

CPA prep book features to consider

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to studying, so they will all need something slightly different from their CPA prep book. Here are a few things that all good study guides should have.

Diagnostic exam

It’s always a good idea to begin with a diagnostic exam. This will help to show you what you already know and which areas you may need to review a little further. A good CPA prep book will have you begin with a diagnostic exam or offer several practice tests so you can use one as a diagnostic test.

Knowledge review

Your CPA prep book should cover each section of the exam in detail. There’s so much material to go through that it’s common for prep books to come in sets of four – one for each section of the exam. The best books will also incorporate visuals and real-world examples to help you see how the important concepts play out in practice.

Test-taking strategies

Many authors of CPA prep books have developed their own techniques for how to approach certain types of questions and eliminate incorrect answers. They teach you these strategies in addition to the core knowledge to help you feel more prepared. Not everyone finds these strategies useful, but they can be especially helpful if you find yourself struggling with one particular type of question.

Sample questions

As you proceed through your CPA prep book, you may come across sample questions at the end of each topic. These can be a great way to test your comprehension and familiarize yourself with the types of questions you can expect to see on the real exam.

It’s important that these sample questions adequately reflect the difficulty of the real exam, or you could be in for a surprise when you sit down for the test. The best way to know if the questions are of similar difficulty is to read reviews of the book written by people who have already taken the exam.

You also want to make sure that the book provides detailed explanations for each sample question rather than simply telling you the correct answer. It’s important that you understand why a certain answer is right or wrong if you want to improve your knowledge.

Full-length practice tests

While some CPA prep books include short quizzes at the end of a section, this is not an adequate substitute for a full-length practice test. Full-length tests give you a chance to test not only your knowledge but also your time-management skills, which are just as crucial to success.

The multiple-choice sections of the CPA exam are computer adaptive, meaning that the question difficulty adjusts as you go based on your previous answers. The best practice tests will also be delivered in this format, so you can get a sense of how it works. The book may include a link to a web portal or a DVD where you can take these exams.

Supplemental study materials

Some CPA prep books include supplemental materials like flashcards or a link to an online web portal with videos to help you reinforce the important concepts in other ways besides just reading a textbook. Not everyone will need or use these materials, so you’ll have to decide for yourself how important they are.

CPA prep book prices

CPA prep books range in price from under $20 to over $400, depending on several factors, including the book format and the materials included.

Ebooks

Most CPA prep books are available in a print or ebook format. Ebooks are the way to go if you’re on a budget or don’t enjoy carrying heavy books around. They’re more affordable than print versions, and most of them cost less than $50.

One volume

Some CPA prep books only contain sample questions and tests while others provide a more comprehensive overview of the exam. As a general rule, the more information the book contains, the more you’ll end up paying.

Four volume

Some CPA prep books come in a four-volume set with one volume for each section of the exam. These offer you some flexibility because if you’re only struggling on a single section, you don’t need to pay for the other three volumes you don’t need. Due to the comprehensiveness of these books, they often cost close to $100 per volume.

Tips

  • Take a diagnostic test first. Before you begin studying, it’s a good idea to take a diagnostic test for each of the four sections so you can figure out which is your strongest and which is your weakest.

  • Study the hardest topic first. Consider studying for your most difficult exam section first to get it out of the way.

  • Create a study schedule. If you draw up a study schedule and try to fit in a little bit of study time every day, it will keep you accountable and on track for your test date.

  • Spend plenty of time on the task-based simulations. These are often more challenging than the multiple-choice questions because they require you to understand and use several concepts at once.
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You can take the four test sections in any order you want. Some people choose to start with the hardest section, while others go with the easiest one first.

FAQ

Q. Is a CPA prep book a good alternative to a CPA prep course?

A. That depends on what type of learner you are. Independent learners who are good at staying on task will do just fine with a CPA prep book. But if you find yourself struggling with the material or you need help staying on task, you might have better luck with a prep course.

Q. How often should I take a practice test?

A. It’s a good idea to build practice tests into your study schedule. Look at the number of practice tests the book offers. Set one aside for a diagnostic exam and another for the final exam. Spread out the remaining exams at equal intervals throughout your study program.

Q. Can I use an older version of a CPA prep book?

A. This generally isn’t recommended because the exam format and the regulations governing CPAs change periodically. If you’re using an older book, you could be studying outdated information that won’t help you very much on test day.