Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009: Business Environment and Concepts (Wiley CPA Examination Review: Business Environment & Concepts) [Paperback]

Patrick R. Delaney (Author), O. Ray Whittington (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470286024 | ISBN-13: 978-0470286029 | Publication Date: December 3, 2008 | Edition: 6

Published annually, this comprehensive study guide for the Certified Public Accountant's (CPA) Exam arms readers with detailed outlines and study guidelines, plus skill-building problems and solutions that help them to identify, focus on, and master the specific topics that need the most work. With timely, up-to-the-minute coverage for the computerized CPA Exam, Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009: Business Environment and Concepts contains all current AICPA content requirements in business environment and concepts. CPA candidates will find everything they need in order to pass the new computerized CPA Examination.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I wanted to just say I bought just the four books by Wiley for each CPA section and took all 4 parts of the exam in May 2009. I studied for about half a year, and I PASSED ALL 4 PARTS ON THE FIRST TRY!!! 95% REG, 88% FAR, 82% AUD, 81% BEC.I am very excited and happy that these books alone helped me pass!"- Gabriela Adriana Mandiuc, Boerne, TX

From the Back Cover

All the information you need to master the computerized CPA exam!

• The most effective system available to prepare for the CPA exam—proven for over thirty years

• Timely—up-to-the-minute coverage for the computerized exam. Contains all current AICPA content requirements in business environment and concepts

• Unique modular format—helps you zero in on areas that need work, organize your study program, and concentrate your efforts

• Comprehensive questions—over 3,800 multiple-choice questions and their solutions in the four volumes. Covers the new simulation-style problems. Includes over 90 simulations

• Complete sample exam in business environment and concepts

• Guidelines, pointers, and tips—show you how to build knowledge in a logical and reinforcing way

Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009 arms test-takers with detailed outlines, study guidelines, and skill-buildingproblems to help candidates identify, focus on, and master the specific topics that need the most work.

Other titles in the WILEY CPA EXAM REVIEW 2009 FOUR-VOLUME SET:

• Auditing and Attestation

• Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Regulation

See inside for the entire array of Wiley CPA Exam Review Products!

"I owe you and your staff a big thanks for putting out such a great product at an affordable price. I didn't have the resources to attend any of the review classes . . . but your study review books, software, and the focus notes were more than enough."
—Chris Wright

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 6 edition (December 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470286024
• ISBN-13: 978-0470286029
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Frequent errors, February 24, 2009

By 

C. Bassett "slkdjf" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009: Business Environment and Concepts (Wiley CPA Examination Review: Business Environment & Concepts) (Paperback)

This book is alright and I felt prepared for the exam. However, one complaint, is that just like the eWiley online site, there are numerous mathematical errors. Spelling errors, that's OK, but mathematical errors are not. Wastes time trying to figure out what went wrong. For all of the ones that I figured out what went wrong, it makes me wonder how much information that I spent so much time learning was just a typo.

Example: In computing the Payables Deferral period, one time the denominator said times 360 and one said divided by 360. Big difference. Had to look online at different sites to figure out which one was correct.

Also, a couple times the explanations for getting answers wrong were very vague. Might say something to the effect of "because it is not correct".

I realize that this is cheaper than the Becker program, but that doesn't mean that they should just duct tape some info together. It's still a reasonably expensive book. They need to stop being so lazy and proofread their stuff before publishing.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good CPA Exam Review, March 21, 2008

By 

J. Bowman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wiley CPA Exam Review 2008: Financial Accounting and Reporting (Wiley Cpa Examination Review Financial Accounting and Reporting) (Paperback)

I don't have the 2008 version, I used the 2006 version and took FAR's exam on Nov. 2007 and the only thing that has really changed since then is Pensions.

As far as the Wiley material is concerned, I think that it will more than prepare you for the FAR's section. I used Wiley exclusively for the FAR's section and I used some Becker material for the REG section. I passed both on the first try, however, I got a 95 on the FARs section and an 83 on the REG section. But to be fair, I was in the middle of busy season when I took the REG section (and I'm also in Audit), but I also used the Wiley Focus Notes for that section as well. So if you are looking for a comprehensive book for any section, Wiley will do the job, as will Becker, but at a much higher price.

In addition to the Wiley book, I also had the Wiley 11.0 Software for multiple choice questions and simulations. The software had its limitations, and I would say that Becker certainly has the leg up on the software side of things. However, the new Wiley 13.0 software may address some of the problems (lack of research component, not as interactive while doing simulations), but I have yet to use it.

As far as readability is concerned, the Wiley books can be a little daunting at times. The gray paper that Wiley uses can make the words appear a little dull. You'll also notice that Becker material uses a lot of white space (blank) on each page, were Wiley crams a lot of information on one page. So I would give Becker the edge on presentation, but Wiley the edge on amount of material covered.

If you were to compare the books by the multiple choice questions provided, Wiley would win hands down. Every section has a bunch of multiple choice questions at the end, sometimes over 100+. Becker at most will have about 25. The majority of Becker's practice questions are in its software.

My only caution for the Wiley material is that you have to be very structured in your studying. If you do the Becker courses, they have everything laid out. If you are someone who needs a class environment (whether in a class or online), or are not good at just using books to study, then I would say go with Becker or some comparable CPA review course. If you can structure yourself, Wiley will work just fine.

In addition to the books, I would recommend you get the Focus Notes (if you decide to go with Wiley). I've seen both Becker's (flashcards) and Wiley's and I think the Wiley Focus Notes are much better and much cheaper.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Review Book, February 8, 2009

By 

Sarah (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009: Business Environment and Concepts (Wiley CPA Examination Review: Business Environment & Concepts) (Paperback)

I studied with Becker the first time I took BEC, and got a 74. The second time around, I was starting to memorize questions and felt I just needed another perspective on the information. The Wiley book was good for this purpose, but I don't know how someone would pass with this book alone. Becker is far superior in terms of organization and focusing on test applicable material. Wiley was much more indepth, which was not necessary.

Also there was some blatantly incorrect information in the book. This surprised me as this is the 2009 edition, and I thought everything would be up to speed. These were not huge items of information, but it did occur more than once.

Overall the book was helpful, and I would recommend it as supplemental material for anyone sitting for the exam.