Becker

Highly recommended for anyone trying to pass the CPA exam. The software is the selling point for this course. They make it look and function exactly as how it will during the actual test, and they use previous test questions that were released by the AICPA. The explanations are also an industry best. However, the course is the most expensive.
I would not recommend getting the flash cards (because making them yourself is a superior study tool versus having them made for you) or the final review product (not my studying style). Plus, I think the course and software does a great job at preparing you.

This review is only for the LIVE course.
As of tonight, I have completed all four courses for the CPA review program, which includes: Financial, Business, Auditing, and Regulation. *jumping up and down*
The CPA review classes are usually held at Devry University at 455 Market Street (one block from Embarcadero Station) but they switched it to Marriott when they had too many students to fit in the room. I liked Marriott better since it’s near Union Square. The Devry location was annoying because you need a special code to get back into the room after using the bathroom — it’s located in a hallway where all the offices on that floor uses that bathroom. You’re also stuck with the vending machines for soda/​energy drinks/​snacks. At Marriott, you can go across to Walgreens or Starbucks. Plus Marriott has a water dispense in all the rooms and hard colorful candies on each table.
— Staff are professional and helpful. They will come in early and stay late if needed.
— Students get a cd of each lecture during the break (or whenever the assistant stamps your book) — unlike Roger.
— The Becker PassMaster provides ALOT of questions, simulations, and two practice exams for each of the four sections.
— The book provides a lot of extra homework reading, background information on certain subjects and appendixes. There’s also questions at the end of each lecture.
— Students get a cd of each lecture during the break (or whenever the assistant stamps your book) — unlike Roger.
— Becker has a TFCH (tuition free continuing help) program. Just fax in your attendance sheet and the progress report (homework questions on PassMaster) within 30 days of the last class of the section and you will get to the take course for free in the future. You do have to pay $ 100 for the new book though.
— DO NOT BUY the Becker Flashcards! For $ 200, it’s not worth it. I seen the flashcards before and some of them have a whole page of text on them. How the heck are you suppose to read that?! Some of the staff will tell you what to flashcard. Make your own condense flashcards instead of remembering their constitution-​style cards.
— Yes, the material is boring and studying is tedious. But if you put the time into studying, you WILL pass.
— The best class was Auditing. John Lord is a great (and funny) teacher. He was the only one that did not read from the book; added in his own explanation and examples; made the class interactive. He also tells you when you need to make a flashcard — the only teacher to do that. All the other staff were dry; they read from the book. If you’re making your own flashcards (like me), you’re off on your own.
People always compare Becker to Roger Phillips. I’m not sure which is better but I can’t really can’t complain since I got a scholarship for the review course. Becker tends to be more boring (which is true — especially Regulation) but I heard Becker textbooks are more descriptive than Roger’s. Becker’s provides more-​in-​depth on most subject matter and better examples/​questions. But with Roger Phillips, you get the energetic, caffeine-​craze Roger.