CPA Exam Prep Study Guide
Prepare for the CPA Exam with AI study tools covering accounting, auditing, regulation, and business concepts from your CPA prep materials.
The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam is divided into three Core sections (Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Taxation and Regulation) and three Discipline sections — candidates must pass the three Core sections plus one Discipline section. The exam is developed by the AICPA and tests knowledge across the full scope of public accounting practice.
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR/BAR) covers GAAP concepts including the conceptual framework, revenue recognition (ASC 606), leases (ASC 842), financial instruments, business combinations, and consolidated financial statements. Understanding the authoritative guidance framework — FASB ASC hierarchy — and being able to apply standards to specific transactions is what this section tests.
Auditing and Attestation (AUD) covers the audit process from engagement acceptance through report issuance, including planning, internal control evaluation, evidence gathering, sampling, and reporting. Understanding the auditor's responsibilities regarding risk assessment, fraud, and the various types of audit opinions (unmodified, qualified, adverse, disclaimer) is essential. The distinction between audit evidence — what is sufficient and appropriate evidence for different assertions — is a central concept.
Taxation (REG) covers federal income taxation for individuals and business entities, as well as business law fundamentals. Individual taxation (gross income, deductions, credits, capital gains), corporate taxation (C corporation, S corporation, partnership taxation), and gift and estate taxation are the major content areas. The Internal Revenue Code logic — what is included in income, what is deductible, how credits reduce tax — is the organizing framework. Clario builds practice questions from your specific CPA prep materials.
How to Study CPA Exam Prep with Clario AI
- Upload your CPA prep notes and study materials
Clario extracts accounting standards, audit concepts, and tax rules from your prep materials. - Review AI-organized CPA content summaries
Clario structures the key content from your specific prep materials by CPA section. - Drill CPA concept flashcards
Quiz yourself on GAAP standards, audit procedures, and tax rules from your prep notes. - Practice with CPA-style questions
Clario generates MCQ and task-based simulation practice from your CPA study materials.
No credit card required. 3 free study packs to start.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPA Exam Prep
How long should I study for each CPA section?
Most candidates allocate 150-200 hours per section, studying one section at a time over 6-8 weeks. FAR/BAR typically has the most content volume. REG requires significant understanding of federal tax law. Completing practice questions daily is more important than passive content reading. Task-based simulations deserve significant practice time as they are weighted at approximately 50% of the score.
What score do I need to pass the CPA Exam?
A score of 75 or higher on the 0-99 scale is required to pass each section. This is not a percentage of questions answered correctly — the CPA Exam uses a weighted scoring model that considers question difficulty. Completing task-based simulations is essential; many candidates over-prepare on multiple-choice questions and underprepare on simulations.
How does Clario help with CPA exam prep?
Clario processes your CPA prep notes and study materials to generate flashcards covering accounting standards, audit procedures, and tax rules, an AI summary of key content areas by CPA section, and practice questions from your specific prep materials targeting the areas where you need the most preparation.
Why Clario for CPA Exam Prep?
Clario AI builds your entire study system from your own course material — summaries, flashcards, quizzes, and exam prep. Every flashcard and practice question is grounded in your professor's lectures, not generic textbook content.
AI Summary
Core concepts from your CPA Exam Prep lecture in minutes.
Flashcards
Active recall cards built from your notes — not generic definitions.
Practice Quiz
Multiple-choice questions from the exact topics in your lecture.
Exam Prep
Predicted exam questions from the high-yield content in your notes.