Best CPA Prep Courses of 2025

There’s something most CPA candidates don’t realize: Less than 60% of people pass any given section of the CPA exam, according to the AICPA.

That stat became more real as I worked through these courses myself. Some felt intuitive and focused. Others? Clunky or overwhelming. What stood out wasn’t just the content—it was how well the course matched my study habits and motivation over time.

Here’s the thing…

Every provider says they’re the best. But when you’re deep into week six of studying and your attention starts slipping, the right course can make all the difference.

What follows is a breakdown of CPA prep platforms I’ve tested personally, not ranked by hype, but by what each one actually does well. Whether you need structure, speed, flexibility, or just help staying on track, you’ll find options here to match your pace and priorities.

5 Best CPA Review Courses

1. Becker CPA Review: Best for structured study with Big 4 credibility
2. Gleim CPA Review: Best for in-depth content and comprehensive practice
3. Surgent CPA Review: Best for adaptive learning that prioritizes efficiency
4. Lambers CPA Review: Best for targeted prep for CPA retakes or weak sections
5. UWorld Roger CPA Review: Best for engaging instruction that holds your attention

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Best CPA Prep Courses & Study Materials of 2025

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1. Becker CPA Review Course: Best for Big 4 Backed Credibility

Becker CPA Review is one of the most known companies for CPA exam candidates since it is sponsored by most accounting firms (including the Big 4) and universities. This was an issue for many students since they were slow to adapt when other courses changed their platforms and study materials. Fortunately, Becker has undergone several necessary changes over the last few years and is now the best CPA prep course currently available to students.

Becker is a trusted name in the industry and offers tons of benefits to justify students’ enrollment in their premium course tiers. Additionally, they’ve recently added flexibility for students on a tight budget— now, you can enroll in a payment plan over three months, six months, or a full year.

What to Expect With the Becker CPA Exam Prep Course?

The Becker CPA Review course has one of the largest databases of exam questions— over 8,000 multiple-choice questions (including bonus bank) and 500 task-based simulations. That’s a lot to work with, but they also provide a Study Bank that ensures you don’t see the same recycled questions repeatedly.

These questions are also used on their mock exams, although the way they’re graded differs slightly from the actual CPA exams. They’re also more complex. This means that you’re likely to get a higher score on the actual exams than you will on Becker’s mock exams; students refer to this as the “Becker Bump.”

Becker also has live CPA review course classes, which is rare. There is a benefit of having a live classroom setting to gain an understanding of CPA knowledge. Still, the viability of the course is dependent on the quality of the instructor. Fortunately, Becker’s instructors are extremely qualified and garner lots of student praise!

Unfortunately, Becker doesn’t offer audio content in any of their packages. This can be a letdown if you like studying while exercising, commuting, or doing chores around the house. And while you may be able to work around this by listening to video lectures, it’s just not the same.

Who is Becker Best Suited For?

Becker’s online course is an excellent option if you don’t want to be bothered with deadlines and want to work at your own pace. They’re also a fantastic choice because of their high-quality, easy-to-use CPA Exam materials. Becker can also be a good option for those who want to invest in not just study materials but a team of experts who can assist before, during, and after licensure. 

Unlike the three traditional Becker CPA Review programs, Becker’s best offering, Concierge, gives you access to a dedicated team of experts and your own success coach. They’ll also work with you to create a customized study plan for your needs. Plus, you can receive up to 50 hours of one-on-one tutoring sessions every week, so you can get the help you need to succeed.

As an added bonus, Becker Concierge includes a one-year CPE subscription and CPE certificate, which will keep you up-to-date with the latest changes in the field. And if somehow you’re not exam day ready, Becker promises to refund up to 100% of the Concierge CPA review purchase price.

Can’t afford Concierge? Pro is a reasonably priced recommendation that I highly recommend.

Why Choose This Prep Course?

The Becker CPA Review course has a solid curriculum, course materials, and instructors. If you’re a student who needs flexibility, as well as in-depth material, Becker’s online review course is the way to go. There are also several financing options available, so you can even afford to enroll if your budget is on the smaller side.

Bottom Line: Becker’s CPA Review provides flexible, top-notch materials, especially with their “Concierge” program which offers personalized expert guidance and robust benefits like a CPE subscription and a refund guarantee. Given its quality and limited slots, it’s a valuable investment for your CPA journey, even on a tight budget. Seize this opportunity before spots run out.          

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2. Gleim CPA Review Courses: Best for Task-Based Simulations

Gleim CPA Review courses offer comprehensive study materials that will take you through all the possible subjects that may show up on the CPA exam.

Gleim’s CPA study materials cover all exam topics you need to know. In addition, with their SmartAdapt technology, the software will guide you through the exam topics, focusing on your weak areas but still drilling you on topics you’ve shown mastery.

However, if you prefer a ton of information and want to enroll in a course that fully prepares you for exam day by leaving no stone unturned, then this could very well be the right study guide for you.

What to Expect With Gleim CPA Review Course?

With Gleim’s CPA prep courses, their SmartAdapt technology will guide you through every step of the course. This is beneficial when used in conjunction with their extensive study materials since it offers informed recommendations for each step of your CPA study schedule. Gleim includes a huge bank of MCQ tests, Final Exam Reviews, and Task-Based Simulations to give you lots of practice for the real exam. In total, the full Gleim review course includes over 10,000 multiple-choice questions and 1,300 task-based simulations, which is significantly more than any other CPA review course.

Additionally, Gleim’s complete course includes an audio lesson for each section of the CPA exam. This 100+ hour library of extra content provides an excellent way to learn the material during non-traditional study times like commuting or exercising. They can easily be downloaded to your phone.

Much like their other study materials, Gleim’s textbooks are detailed and use a significant amount of technical jargon. Although many students prefer a highly comprehensive course, you may feel overwhelmed by the information overload. And you’re free to take all the time you need to get through your exam review, thanks to their Access Until You Pass guarantee.

Who is Gleim CPA Review Best Suited For?

Gleim’s SmartAdapt technology will guide the candidate through the course content, continually focusing on their weak areas while still reviewing material where mastery is shown.  So, if you are someone who struggles with knowing what to study and when to move on, Gleim CPA Review is the course for you, as it takes the guesswork out of what to do. Additionally, their interactive study planner will lay out course assignments in a calendar, so you know when course modules are due for completion.

Why Choose Gleim?

Gleim provides you with more than enough information and study material to pass the CPA exam. There is so much information provided here. The Premium Pro review course comes complete with the Gleim Instruct Video Series, access to accounting experts and a team of personal counselors for added guidance, private study groups, and an Access Until You Pass Guarantee. However, as stated earlier, that information can be to a fault as it can be a bit overwhelming. If you want a study guide that will provide you with the most information about the exam, then you may want to give Gleim a try.

FAQs About Gleim CPA Review:

Bottom Line: If you’ve been out of the classroom for a while and want a personal counselor to help you throughout your studies, Gleim is a great option. Their SmartAdapt tech can guide you through the entire study schedule, and their Premium account will let you talk to Accounting Experts for even more help if you need it. However, if you’re looking for a simplified program or downloadable features, you might want to go with another course.

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3. Surgent CPA Review Courses: Best for Adaptive Learning Software

With the Surgent CPA Review Course, your materials are trimmed down to the essential topics. This reduces the number of hours that you will have to study for your exams. This course is taught by instructors who have over 20 years of experience teaching CPA exam prep. The company released an updated platform, and the 2.0 version really pushes Surgent into the top echelon of CPA prep courses.

What to Expect With Surgent CPA Review Courses?

Surgent CPA Review courses have a strong lineup of instructors who are experts at teaching CPA exam candidates. Combined, they have more experience in the industry than any other CPA review company on the market.

Your instructors, Liz Kolar (25-year CPA exam prep instructor) and Jack Surgent (leading CPE course provider with 20+ years of experience) created Surgent CPA Review Courses with the vision of making the study process more efficient than other established CPA exam review courses. They offer insightful strategies and study tips in their video lectures that they have accumulated through many years of teaching. We really liked how the videos were concise and to the point, making it easier to absorb and retain information.

You’ll find that Surgent’s CPA course is extremely easy to navigate through, and you’ll be cruising in and out of lessons with ease thanks to the revamped dashboard design that Surgent created. This is something with which other courses struggle, so it’s great to see one course put a lot of money and effort into making the prep program easy to use and intuitive.

Their course comes with UNLIMITED access, so you’ll never have to worry about the materials expiring until you have successfully passed.

They offer a Money-Back Guarantee, which proves just how confident they are in their product. This offering was completely revamped into a new platform, and 2.0 is really something worth considering when buying CPA review courses. You even have the option to sign up for a 5-day trial just to get familiar with the course before making any buying decisions. This is a lot shorter than the trial period of other reviews. Still, something is better than nothing.

The one other downside we see with Surgent is that although their personalized plan will suggest a number of study hours, most studiers find it not to be accurate. In fact, several Reddit users have commented that their actual hours greatly exceed the time they expected to spend with Surgent.

Who is Surgent’s Course Best Suited For?

We would recommend Surgent to you if you are a student who prefers the convenience of studying at their own pace from guided video lectures. If you are looking to pass the CPA exam quickly by studying more efficiently, Surgent would be a great fit for you.

FAQs About Surgent CPA Review:

Bottom Line: Surgent’s CPA course excels with its user-friendly design and endless access. Their confidence is underscored by a Money-Back Guarantee and a 5-day trial. However, while the platform is robust, users should approach study hour estimates with flexibility.

GO TO SURGENT CPA REVIEW

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4. Lambers CPA Review Course: Best For Retaking the CPA Exam

If you’ve already tried to pass the CPA exam and didn’t succeed, Lambers CPA Review is the course you need to know about. Thanks to a recent overhaul of their study materials, they now offer Enhanced CPA Review in four separate packages that cover each section of the CPA exam!

What to Expect With Lambers CPA Review?

Did you have a lot of trouble passing one specific section of the exam? Maybe you didn’t earn a passing score on Auditing and Attestation (AUD); in this case, all you need is Lambers’ Enhanced Test Prep course. 

This package — and the other three packages in their catalog — are extremely affordable when compared to other review courses listed above.

Access all of your study materials entirely within your browser— no extra apps or textbooks are required. You can seamlessly jump into specific lectures, practice questions, or task-based simulations when you’re ready to study!

Who is Lambers Best Suited For?

There are two types of students who will get the most out of Lambers CPA review. The first is someone who already has a full review course but wants some extra help on a specific exam section. 

The second type of ideal candidate is one who is on their second or third attempt at the exam, who needs to boost their score in one or two sections.

Why Choose This CPA Exam Prep Course?

Lambers is a good choice if you want a streamlined study schedule with up-to-date materials. 

It’s not as comprehensive as something like Gleim or Becker, but it’s laser-focused to save you time, drill into your weakest content areas, and help you get that passing score.

FAQs About Lambers CPA Review

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for some help on a specific exam section, or you just want a streamlined CPA study course that won’t take a long time to finish, Lambers CPA Review is an affordable choice. Keep in mind, this isn’t a course for those who want a mobile app, flashcards, or lots of review questions.

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5. UWorld CPA Review Courses: Best for Engagement and Motivation

If you want a prep course that will keep you engaged with a combination of passionate instructors and powerful technology, then UWorld CPA Review Course is the perfect course for you.

Are you bad at self-direction; do you need someone to keep you motivated while you study? Do you have trouble staying awake while working through CPA lectures, practice questions, and flashcards.

What to Expect With UWorld CPA Review Courses?

When you choose UWorld for your CPA review course, you can expect to get over 120 hours of entertaining and informative video lectures. Roger Philip teaches each lecture with a lot (and I mean a lot) of humor and enthusiasm. His unique teaching style makes the material much more engaging and helps you stay motivated.

He is passionate about helping students pass the CPA exam. Not only is he knowledgeable about the material, but he can also break down difficult concepts into easy-to-understand lessons. Roger uses mnemonics and other memorization tools throughout his lectures to provide an easier way for students to remember many tedious details that often appear on the exam. Check out his video below and see for yourself 🙂

Your UWorld CPA review course software will also come integrated with SmartPath Predictive Technology. This new feature provides you with recommendations on where and how to focus your efforts by comparing your progress and performance to those who have passed the CPA Exam. This efficient tool can cut your study time by hundreds of hours!

Additionally, you can get UNLIMITED access to their online study materials through an Elite-Unlimited package. No need to worry about your course expiring; you’ll have your study materials for as long as you desire! Roger also offers free course updates to ensure you’ll always be studying with the most up-to-date content if/when any changes are made to the exam.

Now, what about the financing options?

UWorld now offers financing plans if you’re a student on a budget. This is a fantastic opportunity; anyone who can afford to pay $149 a month now has access to the best CPA exam review course on the market!

With so many benefits, it may come as a surprise that UWorld is ranked below so many other CPA review courses. Truthfully, it has many features that are equivalent to the top-rated choices: great instructors like Gleim, impressive tech like Surgent, and insightful lectures like Becker. However, it doesn’t specialize in any of these categories; instead, it just offers a decent version of each one.

However, UWorld CPA Review’s video lectures and digital flashcards are notable exceptions. You’re not going to find anything like these within our top 3 picks!

Who is UWorld CPA Review Best Suited For?

I would recommend this course to a CPA candidate who has a hard time focusing while studying. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake in some of your accounting lectures, then UWorld CPA Review will definitely keep you from falling asleep.

If you also like to ask a lot of questions while you study, there is a Study Hub available to you around the clock. Since over 17,000 questions have been asked on this platform, it’s likely that someone has already answered the one you were about to ask. But if not, you’ll have to get the Elite-Unlimited package if you want to ask your own; you’ll receive an informed response from an instructor within about one day.

Finally, UWorld is best suited for students who are auditory and visual learners. There’s an audio-only version of their engaging lecture content that can help you get even more studying in while doing chores or going for a jog.

Why Choose UWorld CPA Prep Course?

  If you need motivation and want to enroll in a course that actively keeps you engaged with the material it covers, then this is the review course you are looking for.

FAQs About UWorld CPA Review Courses

Bottom Line: UWorld CPA Review dazzles with its engaging video content and top-notch audio options, setting a benchmark for visual and auditory learners. However, the premium experience comes with a heftier price tag and lacks a final review, making it a high-quality yet selective choice for CPA aspirants.

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What’s New for 2025 CPA Courses

In 2025, CPA review courses are undergoing significant updates to align with the CPA Evolution, a major overhaul in the CPA licensure model. This change reflects the profession’s shifting focus toward skills and competencies critical in the modern business and technological landscape. Leading course providers like Becker are revising their content to address these changes, incorporating comprehensive material on emerging areas such as information technology, data analytics, and business processes.

Specifically, these courses are adapting to the new exam structure, which emphasizes core areas like Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Regulation, and the newly introduced section on Business Analysis and Reporting. Becker, for instance, is integrating modules that focus on digital acumen, including cybersecurity and information systems, to ensure that CPA candidates are thoroughly prepared for the evolving demands of the accounting field.

Which CPA Prep Course Has the Most Practice Questions?

Multiple choice questions are the bulk of any CPA review course, as these mirror the exam content and are the best way to practice for CPA exam.

The number of MCQs isn’t always the most important quality for these questions. You must also note that some questions are harder and more like the actual exam than others.

So who has the most?

Gleim has the most amount of questions. They offer the highest volume of content by far, so you’ll want to try their course if this is the most important feature for you.

Becker, however, has the most adaptive multiple-choice questions that are specific to your level of knowledge, helping you prepare for the test.

CPA Courses With The Most Multiple Choice Practice Questions (MCQs)

Bottom Line: Gleim CPA Review provides more multiple choice questions than any course, so you’re not going to run out of practice questions.

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Which CPA Prep Course Has the Most Task-Based Simulations?

Task-based simulations have become increasingly important since the changes made to the CPA Exam a few years ago. Because of this new test that places more importance of simulations, CPA review courses now place more emphasis on these questions, ensuring you can pass after practicing the TBS section.

So, who is the best when it comes to TBS’s?

Becker and Surgent have some of the best CPA exam Task-Based Simulations, which include the most up-to-date CPA exam content covering the new content and topics on the CPA exam blueprints. Becker, in particular, has an extremely impressive library of 500+ TBS content since they also include over 900 lecture videos taught by accounting experts.

Most CPA Exam Task-Based Simulations (TBS) by Course

Bottom Line: While Surgent has extremely up-to-date materials, Becker CPA Review has the best TBS and instructional videos.

GO TO BECKER CPA REVIEW

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Which CPA Courses Offer Discounts & Financing Options?

Why would you pay full price for a CPA review course when there are tons of great CPA discount codes available?! Save hundreds of dollars on all the most popular prep courses with these great CPA promo codes.

But what if you can’t afford a pricey CPA review course?

Becker offers discounts and financing options that allow you to make much more affordable monthly payments over a period of 3 months, 9 months, or one year.

Best CPA Review Course Financing & Discount Offers (Comparison)

Bottom Line: Becker offers the best financing options with a low monthly rate to allow the maximum amount of students to afford their top-tier review course.

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Which CPA Course Has the Best Student Support?

When it comes to student support, which course answers questions the fastest? How easy is it to use the student support software? Which course gives the most personal response?

Here are my rankings for the Top CPA Review Courses for Student Support:

1. Becker – Message Board, Phone & Email Support, Accounting Experts and Success Coaches

2. Gleim – Personal Counselors, assistance from accounting experts, email & live chat

3. Surgent – Dedicated coaching and onboarding, live chat, student support, email & phone

4. UWorld (Roger) – Homework Help Center, expert instructors

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What are the Best CPA Exam Test Banks?

#1: Gleim CPA Test Bank

Gleim CPA Review is the winner of the largest test bank on the market! With more than 10,000 exam-emulating multiple-choice questions and simulations, Gleim tests your knowledge and skills at the levels of the CPA Exam to ensure that you’re completely prepared.

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What are the Best CPA Exam Cram Courses?

If you need to improve your CPA Exam score by 10 points, or if you simply want to solidify difficult concepts for final review, a solid CPA Cram Course is the best study supplement to get you there.

A Cram Course is the best way to reinforce your understanding of the most heavily tested CPA Exam topics in a short amount of time.

So which cram course gets the job done?

#1 Lambers CPA Review

The Enhanced Test Prep courses offered by Lambers are a great resource if you want to do a few weeks of cramming for a specific CPA exam section. For example, using their FAR CPA review course should help you feel more confident when taking what is commonly considered the hardest portion of the exam.

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Best CPA Exam Mobile Apps

#1: Surgent CPA Review Mobile App

Surgent is one of the only CPA prep courses offering a completely free Flashcard app for iPhone and Android, giving you the chance to study 2,200+ CPA exam terms and definitions on your smartphone. You should be taking advantage of this offer while it lasts!

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5 CPA Exam Study Tips to Help You Pass the CPA Exam:

• Step 1: Use the Right Study Tools
• Step 2: Study Consistently
• Step 3: Use Online Review Courses
• Step 4: Follow Your Instincts
• Step 5: Carefully Read the Questions

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CPA Prep Course Comparison

Becker vs Gleim

Why choose Becker: Becker offers the most polished experience of any course tested. If you’re looking for structure, high production value, and Big 4 endorsement-level credibility, Becker stands out. The live and on-demand options, skill-based simulations, and Adapt2U tech create a consistent and guided study path—especially helpful for first-time candidates who want a proven process.

Why choose Gleim: Gleim is the go-to for candidates who want to drill down into everything. The depth is unmatched, especially with its vast test bank and detailed textbooks. It’s ideal if you’re highly self-motivated and want to leave no stone unturned. The SmartAdapt tool also does a solid job of identifying weak spots, though it’s less intuitive than Becker’s overall flow.

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Becker vs Surgent

Why choose Becker: Becker is stronger on structured content delivery and support. It’s a better fit if you prefer a consistent, chapter-based approach with full coverage and polished video instruction. It also offers live classes and a broader mix of learning modalities.

Why choose Surgent: Surgent is a smart choice if you’re short on time and want an algorithm-driven experience that targets weak areas fast. The course trims study time by skipping what you already know. But while it’s highly efficient, it may feel too minimal for those needing more lecture-based explanation or traditional structure.

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Gleim vs Surgent

Why choose Gleim: If your priority is technical depth, comprehensive practice, and lifetime access (with some packages), Gleim delivers. It’s well-suited for methodical learners who want to master the material from every angle.

Why choose Surgent: Surgent is better for time-crunched professionals who already have some accounting background and need to optimize study hours. The adaptive tech works fast and helps you focus only on what matters for you personally—ideal for retakers or late starters.

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Gleim vs Lambers

Why choose Gleim: Gleim is a more complete solution for full exam prep. Its large question database, video lectures, and simulations support a long-term plan to pass all four sections.

Why choose Lambers: Lambers works best if you’re retaking a section or need to target a specific weak area. It’s lighter and more focused, which can be useful when you don’t want to re-enroll in a full program.

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Becker vs Lambers

Why choose Becker: Becker offers a more robust, guided experience. It’s a better investment if you’re starting from scratch or want end-to-end support, exam simulations, and structured progress tracking.

Why choose Lambers: If you only need to revisit one or two sections and want a simple, pay-as-you-go model, Lambers can be practical. But it lacks the depth and tech that Becker provides for full exam prep.

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Surgent vs UWorld

Why choose Surgent: Surgent is better for cutting study hours and fast-tracking review. If you want a lean, data-driven system and you’re already familiar with core accounting concepts, it’s efficient and strategic.

Why choose UWorld: UWorld (formerly Roger CPA Review) shines when it comes to keeping learners engaged. The energetic teaching style, spaced repetition flashcards, and SmartPath tools make it a good choice if you’re prone to burnout or zoning out during lectures.

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Surgent vs Lambers

Why choose Surgent: Surgent offers a more modern platform, adaptive tech, and full-course coverage. It’s a better option for those preparing across multiple sections or looking for time-efficient studying.

Why choose Lambers: If you’re solely focused on retaking a section and don’t want to commit to a full package, Lambers offers low-commitment, targeted materials with updated content.

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Gleim vs UWorld

Why choose Gleim: Choose Gleim if you’re looking for full-scope prep with deep coverage, rigorous practice, and no expiration. It’s best for learners who prefer thoroughness over flashiness.

Why choose UWorld: UWorld is more engaging and visually dynamic. It works better if video style matters to you or if you’re juggling studying with a busy life and need something that feels easier to absorb.

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Becker vs UWorld

Why choose Becker: Becker offers the most institutionally respected curriculum, with flexible formats and stronger simulation prep. It’s also the best fit if you’re looking for structure and support throughout the process.

Why choose UWorld: UWorld can be a better choice if you find traditional lectures boring or struggle to stay engaged. The pacing and mnemonic-heavy teaching style keep it fresh and memorable, especially for visual and auditory learners.

CPA Courses That Didn’t Make the Cut

These CPA prep programs didn’t make our main list—not because they have no value, but because they offer limited tools or lack the features most candidates need to succeed. That said, they may still be useful in specific circumstances:

Ninja CPA Review – Known for its affordability and audio content, but lacks a full platform experience. Best suited as a supplement, not a standalone course.

Kesler CPA Review – A smaller operation with a coaching-first model. While personal support is a plus, the content library and tech fall short of larger competitors.

AICPA CPA Exam Resources – Offers official blueprints, sample tests, and exam structure info, but this is not a full review course. Great for understanding the exam, not for studying.

Yaeger CPA Review – Once highly ranked on my list of CPA courses above, Yaeger discontinued its operations in 2025 and no longer offers its courses or support.

FAQ