Lambers CPA Review: Go For The iPod Format

Lambers CPA Review has been teaching the CPA Exam review course since 1966 (that’s going to be 45 years!) and has grown to become the largest review course in the competitive New England area.

They pride themselves in developing the teaching method based on years of classroom experience, and that they are able to pick only the topics that matter to the exam — so candidates spend their valuable time on “possible, but not probable” subjects.

Lambers CPA Review Product Range

1. Video Lectures

Lambers’ complete video lecture series is a great choice for those to prefer to study at the comfort of their home:

• 134 hours of studio-quality video filmed on location in the classroom.
• Video of their best instructors using the Lambers instructional technique of lecture, case examples, and illustrations.
• Lectures can be replayed over and over, or stopped so that the candidate may work a problem or refer to the textbooks.

Here is a YouTube video clip from Lambers via YouTube on FAR:

2. Books

The Lambers textbook for CPA exams are comprehensive and at the same time written for the sole purpose of passing the exam. The questions for each section are also well selected and useful for candidates to reinforce key concepts and principles.  The package also includes an introduction to the CPA Exam Introduction, Simulation DVD and accompanying workbook.

3. Software

The Lambers PASSWARE™ runs on all Windows operating systems and is a powerful sofware with the following capabilities:

• 3700 questions taken from prior exams
• simulations based upon the new CBT exam
• instant text for reference to difficult areas
• diagnostic exams to identify weak areas

4. Audio

You can get a feel of what it is like below. Please note that this is an AUDIO course so it is normal that no graphics or video is shown.

So What’s The Strengths and Weaknesses of Lambers CPA Review?

Pros

• They Have It On iPod! The most exciting product that Lambers offer is the guided review course on ipod. Imagine taking the classes anywhere — on your commute train, in the gym, between meetings or children’s naps… all those “dead time” can now be fully utilized. For busy CPA candidate juggling with a full-time job, family and study, this is a must-have.
• A Well-Balanced Product. You can’t really find a lot of raving reviews on Lambers, because they have a traditional, low-key style and that there isn’t much that make Lambers stand out (e.g. the entertaining aspect at Roger, the unrivaled customer service at Yaeger)… but the bottom line is, they are good enough for people to pass the exam. Afterall, more than 200,000 people have chosen Lambers throughout these years for their CPA review course.
• Lambers Free Repeat Guarantee is good for one year (with free updates) and there is no software purchase requirement or homework requirements. It isn’t the best deal out there, but better than Becker for sure.

Cons

• Don’t get the “refurbished ipod”. There is an option that you can buy an ipod that comes with the Lambers review installation. This is not recommended by a few forum members because of questionable quality (e.g. video doesn’t work well). So, get the ipod from your favorite electronics store and only the ipod course from Lambers.
• Typos. There are also past users who complain about the typos in the workbooks. While this could be annoying I have to say similar comments exist for big publishers like Wiley. I personally don’t mind typos as long as the content is good; but if you are very particular about this (all the lawyers out there?), Becker has the best quality control.
• FAR module not good? There is one person writing a “hated” comment on the FAR module (but he likes the other 3). Please note that so far no one has seconded his opinion, with a few gently suggested the contrary.

My Recommendation

Get The iPod Format. If you like Lambers, then go for the iPod format!

Many  CPA candidates do not get enough time to study, Lambers review on ipod may very well be the solution to this problem. Please go to Lambers CPA Review site to find out more.