This comprehensive article provides a thorough overview of the CPA Exam’s purpose and structure, focusing on exam length, question formats (MCQs, TBSs), and the general content areas essential for FAR success. Understand how the exam is arranged, the types of questions asked, and the significance of these elements for efficient study planning and exam performance.
Explore the scope, structure, and importance of the FAR section—one of the four core parts of the CPA Exam—covering financial accounting and reporting for diverse entities, essential concepts, and strategic approaches.
Discover how the FAR section of the CPA Exam is scored, including item weightings, question formats, and proven test-taking strategies for MCQs and simulations.
Discover effective strategies for mastering the FAR exam, combining conceptual understanding with extensive practice, authoritative literature review, and proven time-management techniques.
Practical insights into scheduling, pacing, and strategic study approaches for the FAR CPA Exam. Master your timetable, integrate practice sessions effectively, and enhance your exam-day performance.
Learn how the FASB, SEC, and other standard-setters influence and shape accounting practices, from their early roots to modern roles in establishing and maintaining GAAP.
Explore the FASB Conceptual Framework, focusing on the objectives of financial reporting, qualitative characteristics of useful financial information, and the elements of financial statements, and learn how these concepts guide standard-setting and practical GAAP application.
Explore the foundational principles of measurement, recognition, and disclosure in financial accounting under the conceptual framework, covering historical cost, fair value, and consistent application for transparent and meaningful reporting.
Explore the authoritative hierarchy of U.S. GAAP and discover how to effectively research the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, complete with practical insights and best practices.
Dive into the classification, measurement, and presentation requirements of the statement of financial position, including best practices and typical disclosures, essential for success on the FAR exam.
Discover the core distinctions between single-step and multi-step income statements, emphasizing the importance of operating vs. nonoperating items, and where various revenues and expenses are reported.
A comprehensive exploration of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) items, reclassification adjustments, and the presentation of total comprehensive income under U.S. GAAP, including illustrative examples and best practices.
Explore the components of equity—share capital, retained earnings, additional paid-in capital, and AOCI—and learn how to prepare and interpret the Statement of Changes in Equity, focusing on common transactions like share issuances, repurchases, dividends, and accumulated other comprehensive income entries.
Learn the ins and outs of the Statement of Cash Flows, including the direct and indirect methods, operating vs. investing vs. financing classifications, and common reconciliation practices. Perfect your FAR knowledge and prepare for the CPA Exam with illustrative case studies, diagrams, and best practices.
Explore key components of significant accounting policies, related party transactions, and essential footnote disclosures that enhance transparency and support the integrity of financial statements.
Explore comprehensive case studies, multi-entity structures, and advanced transactions in for-profit financial reporting, emphasizing the synergy among core financial statements and vital disclosures.
Discover the unique environment of not-for-profit accounting, including stakeholder expectations, specialized standards under FASB ASC 958, and net asset classifications crucial for mission-driven financial reporting.
Explore how not-for-profit organizations classify and present net assets with and without donor restrictions, including reclassification guidelines when donor restrictions expire. Discover best practices for SoFP disclosures and essential insights into FASB ASC 958 compliance.
Explore the comprehensive presentation of revenues, expenses, and support under the Statement of Activities for nongovernmental not-for-profit entities, including the classification of donor restrictions, contributions, grants, and program service revenue.
Explore how not-for-profit organizations apply direct and indirect methods when preparing the statement of cash flows, focusing on the distinct treatment of pledges, donor contributions, and restricted funds.
Learn how not-for-profit entities classify expenses by nature and function, create matrix-based disclosures, and comply with GAAP requirements for functional expense reporting.
Explore the key principles of measurement focus and basis of accounting in state and local government reporting, distinguishing how current financial resources and the economic resources measurement focus affect the recognition and reporting of transactions.
Discover essential insights into the classification of state and local government funds, including Governmental, Proprietary, and Fiduciary funds. Learn how to identify Major vs. Nonmajor funds, understand their reporting significance, and explore real-world examples for effective financial statement preparation.
Explore how government-wide and fund-level statements differ, and learn step-by-step reconciliation techniques for state and local governments, highlighting best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.
Explore the foundational concepts of budgetary accounting, encumbrances, and appropriations for state and local governments, including how budgets are recorded and the differences between appropriations and actual expenditures.
Comprehensive guidance on state and local government MD&A, RSI requirements, budgeting comparisons, and pension disclosures, fulfilling key GASB mandates.
Explore the comprehensive landscape of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the SEC's regulatory framework, and its integration with FASB standards, ensuring transparent and trustworthy public company reporting.
Explore the SEC reporting framework for public companies, including key deadlines, critical disclosures, and how material events and guidance updates are communicated through Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K.
Learn how to calculate and present Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS), including handling of common share equivalents, convertible debt/preferred stock, and distinctions between continuing operations and net income.
A comprehensive guide to identifying and disclosing reportable segments under US GAAP, detailing quantitative thresholds, reconciliation requirements, and best practices.
Explore how transactions are recognized under pure cash-basis and modified cash-basis frameworks, including best practices, examples, and a deep dive into partial accrual aspects.
Learn how to reconcile GAAP financial statements to tax-basis statements, exploring key adjustments involving depreciation methods, timing differences, and common pitfalls for CPAs.
Explore specialized accounting frameworks required by regulators or contractual agreements, unraveling the unique rules, reporting formats, and best practices for organizations operating outside traditional GAAP.
An in-depth exploration of compilation and reporting considerations for accountants when preparing financial statements under special purpose frameworks, with emphasis on disclaimers, modifications, and professional responsibilities.
Explore the fundamentals of horizontal and vertical analysis, key comparative techniques for financial statement analysis essential to the FAR section of the CPA Exam.
Explore essential profitability ratios—from Gross Margin to Return on Equity and Return on Assets—understanding their formulas, interpretations, and real-world applications.
Learn how to evaluate a company's short-term financial solvency using the major liquidity ratios, including the Current, Quick, Receivables Turnover, and Inventory Turnover, with real-world examples and best practices.
Learn how Debt to Equity and Times Interest Earned ratios measure a company's long-term solvency and financial stability. This in-depth analysis discusses capital structure impacts, interest coverage, and best practices for evaluating financial risk.
Explore adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, and intangible performance metrics, and learn how non-GAAP measures offer deeper insights into organizational performance while requiring critical analysis to avoid misinterpretation.
Learn the fundamentals of cash and cash equivalents classification, petty cash best practices, and borderline cases such as money market funds and short-term investments.
A thorough examination of bank reconciliations, featuring step-by-step instructions, definitions of key terms, common pitfalls, and best practices to ensure accurate cash reporting. This guide also introduces the proof of cash method for enhanced internal controls and fraud detection.
Learn essential safeguards for cash management through robust internal controls, lockbox arrangements, segregation of duties, and disclosures for transparency in financial statements.
Explore the direct write-off vs. allowance methods for accounts receivable, learn how to estimate bad debts, and understand the interplay with revenue recognition.
Explore the complexities of factoring receivables with and without recourse, highlight risk retention, and understand how assignment or pledging impacts balance sheet classification and financial disclosures.
Learn how to present net trade receivables on the balance sheet and prepare critical disclosures involving credit risk, allowance for doubtful accounts, and the nature of receivables.
Discover the key differences between periodic and perpetual inventory systems, including journal entries, impacts on COGS, and best practices for effective inventory management.
Master the essentials of applying lower of cost or net realizable value (LCNRV) and lower of cost or market (LCM) for inventory under both U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Learn key concepts, real-world examples, and critical differences to excel on the FAR CPA Exam.
In-depth coverage of the Retail Inventory Method and the Gross Profit Method, featuring step-by-step calculations, real-world examples, and best practices for estimating inventory balances.
Explore direct vs. indirect costs, interest capitalization, and the distinction between repairs and capital improvements for property, plant, and equipment assets.
A comprehensive guide exploring Straight-Line, Double-Declining Balance, and Sum-of-the-Years’-Digits depreciation methods, plus depletion for natural resources. Includes formulas, partial-year examples, practical illustrations, visual diagrams, and best practices.
Learn the key principles and best practices surrounding capitalizing or expensing subsequent expenditures on Property, Plant, and Equipment assets, including major repairs, betterments, and replacements.
Detailed guidance on the two-step and one-step impairment test frameworks under U.S. GAAP, accompanied by an in-depth look at measuring and recording ARO liabilities.
Comprehensive guidance on the classification, measurement, and cessation of depreciation for long-lived assets held for sale or disposal under U.S. GAAP and IFRS.
Explore how management’s intent drives the classification of investment assets into Trading, Available-for-Sale, Held-to-Maturity, and Fair Value categories, including the treatment of unrealized gains and losses under U.S. GAAP.
Explore the comprehensive approaches under ASC 326 for debt securities and impairment considerations for equity securities, including credit loss models, IFRS comparisons, best practices, and illustrative examples.
Explore fair value hierarchy, realized vs. unrealized gains, concentration risks, and reclassification adjustments for investment disclosures under GAAP, including illustrative footnotes and best practices.
Explore the distinctions between finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, covering key accounting treatments including amortization and impairment testing, with practical examples and best practices.
Explore goodwill recognition in business combinations under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, learn the qualitative vs. quantitative impairment testing methodologies, and understand key differences between the two frameworks.
Explore comprehensive guidelines for internal-use software accounting, covering the three critical stages—preliminary project stage, application development, and post-implementation. Learn when to capitalize costs, when to expense them, and how to handle subsequent amortization. Includes practical illustrations, best practices, pitfalls, and a quiz.
A comprehensive guide to identifying, measuring, and accounting for short-term obligations such as accounts payable, accrued liabilities (including wages, utilities, and other operating expenses), and estimated liabilities under U.S. GAAP.
Comprehensive coverage of Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) and exit or disposal obligations, focusing on initial recognition, discount rates, remeasurement triggers, and real-world applications.
Discover the key principles and best practices for classifying short-term vs. long-term obligations, including refinancing considerations, interest rate disclosures, and maturity schedules.
Explore the intricacies of notes payable, bonds payable, and debt issuance costs under U.S. GAAP—covering net vs. separate presentation, premium/discount amortization methods, and practical examples.
Discover how to recognize, measure, and account for bonds issued at discounts or premiums, and master key amortization methods for effective debt management and CPA exam success.
Explore debt covenants, TDR accounting, and debt modifications vs. extinguishments. Learn how to comply with financial covenants and disclose TDRs in line with U.S. GAAP requirements.
Comprehensive coverage of par vs. no-par stock, repurchase methods (cost and par value), and the impact of treasury stock transactions on equity balances.
Learn the intricacies of accounting for dividends, including cash, property, and liquidating dividends, and understand the nuances of small vs. large stock dividends and stock splits.
Explore comprehensive guidance on presenting shareholders’ equity, capital structure, dividends, and disclosure requirements. Learn how to effectively prepare the statement of changes in equity, address share-based considerations, and navigate both U.S. GAAP and IFRS implications for transparent and robust financial reporting.
Explore the advanced concepts of pushdown accounting and quasi reorganizations, focusing on the revaluation of assets and liabilities upon a pushdown event and the rarely used, yet crucial, quasi reorganization rules.
Learn the essential distinctions between changes in accounting principles and changes in estimates, including real-world examples, best practices, and IFRS comparison, to excel in the FAR CPA exam.
Explore the fundamentals of retrospective restatement and prospective approaches to accounting changes, including illustrative examples, diagrams, practical guidance, and case studies.
Learn the comprehensive steps for correcting previously issued financial statements, adjusting retained earnings, and applying retrospective approaches for comparative reporting.
Explore the fundamentals of accounting for loss and gain contingencies under U.S. GAAP, the thresholds for accrual and disclosure, and the conservative treatment of uncertain gains.
Comprehensive guidance on the accounting for legal claims, potential liabilities, product warranties, and guarantees under U.S. GAAP. Includes real-world examples, decision-process diagrams, and best practices for practitioners preparing for the CPA FAR Examination.
A comprehensive guide to recognizing and disclosing major long-term purchase commitments and operating leases under the legacy U.S. GAAP (ASC 840), complete with examples, visuals, and best practices.
Comprehensive coverage of management’s evaluation period, substantial doubt criteria, mitigating factors, and required disclosures for going concern under ASC 205-40. Explore key steps, examples, diagrams, and best practices to ensure accurate financial reporting.
Comprehensive guide to the five-step revenue recognition model under ASC 606, covering contract identification, performance obligations, transaction price determination, allocation, and revenue recognition with practical examples, diagrams, and best practices.
Explore how to determine whether an entity acts as a principal or agent under ASC 606, including real-world scenarios (e.g., travel booking and consignment) and best practices for accounting for variable consideration.
Discover how to capitalize incremental contract acquisition costs, navigate licensing arrangements, and address nonrefundable fees under ASC 606, complete with practical insights and examples.
A comprehensive exploration of revenue recognition presentation requirements, focusing on contract asset/liability classification, rollforwards, and major judgments in measuring revenue under ASC 606.
Discover how to calculate and present current tax expense, deferred tax assets, and deferred tax liabilities, with practical insights on book vs. tax differences and intangible amortization.
Explore the measurement of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, the handling of net operating loss carryforwards, and the principles of intraperiod tax allocation for income taxes under U.S. GAAP.
Explore the essentials of uncertain tax positions, including the two-step recognition and measurement approach, the 'more likely than not' threshold, and required footnote disclosures under U.S. GAAP.
A detailed guide to fair value measurement under U.S. GAAP (ASC 820), including Market, Cost, and Income Approaches, highest and best use concept, and practical examples for CPA exam readiness.
Explore essential fair value measurement disclosure requirements under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, including sample footnotes, hierarchy transfers, and sensitivity analyses.
Learn how to classify leases as either finance or operating under ASC 842. Explore the five classification criteria, initial measurement of the right-of-use (ROU) asset, lease liability, and best practices for accurate and transparent financial reporting.
Explore how lessors account for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases under U.S. GAAP, focusing on revenue recognition, interest income, and key differences in asset treatment.
Explore the intricacies of sale-leaseback transactions under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, including determining if a sale has occurred, timing of gain recognition, and the consequences of failed sales leading to financing arrangements.
Explore comprehensive guidance on lease disclosures, covering key quantitative and qualitative requirements under current accounting standards, including maturity analyses, discount rates, and variable lease payments.
Discover the differences between recognized and nonrecognized subsequent events in financial reporting, including their impact on financial statements, disclosure requirements, real-world examples, and best practices for accurate and compliant reporting.
Understand the pivotal difference between recognized (adjusting) and nonrecognized (disclosure-only) subsequent events. Learn how each type impacts financial statements, discover best practices, and avoid common pitfalls.
A comprehensive examination of the conceptual frameworks under IFRS and U.S. GAAP, highlighting key definitions, fundamental principles, and qualitative characteristics for CPA exam readiness.
Discover the key differences in financial statement presentation under IFRS, including standard naming conventions and layouts, and learn how global accounting principles shape transparency, comparability, and consistency in financial reporting.
Explore key recognition and measurement differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS in areas such as inventory costing, property, plant and equipment, impairment testing, lease accounting, and going concern assessments.
Explore the key disclosure differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP, ongoing convergence efforts, and practical examples highlighting main expansions in financial statement notes.
Explore advanced consolidation issues including variable interest entities, partial ownership changes, and intercompany transaction eliminations, with practical examples, diagrams, and best practices for the CPA FAR Exam.
Explore the acquisition method’s comprehensive steps, goodwill measurement, and noncontrolling interest accounting under US GAAP and IFRS, featuring practical examples and diagrams for deeper clarity.
Master foreign currency transactions, from initial recognition to financial statement translation and remeasurement. Explore how functional and reporting currencies differ, learn best practices, and understand the impact on OCI.
Explore in-depth guidance on pushdown accounting after control changes and understand quasi reorganizations, including rare steps, best practices, and illustrative examples.
Explore final capstone scenarios that seamlessly integrate revenue recognition, inventory valuation, property, plant, and equipment transactions, intangible assets, and other advanced FAR concepts into cohesive practice exercises.
A comprehensive overview of essential FAR concepts and standards, offering concise bullet-point recaps, clarifying examples, mermaid diagrams, and key references for deeper study.
Essential final tips and strategies for the FAR CPA Exam: checklists, time-management insights, and stress-management pointers designed to boost your confidence on test day.