SUBJECT: CPA Essay Writing Formula
TO: Alexander Luther, CPA candidate
FROM: Azim Jivani, CPA
DATE: February 18, 2011
It has been brought to my attention that the current CPA exam has gone through some changes primarily in the writing section. “To earn points for a written communications question, candidates must read a description of a situation or scenario, and must write a document that relates or responds to that scenario” (CPA). There is almost a formula that which CPA candidates can use in order to successfully pass the written portion of the CPA exam. There are also a couple of helpful tips for what and what not to do in your writing responses on the exam. One of the most important principals on preparing for the essay questions on the CPA exam is that an “accomplished writing style is not as important as an ability to package and communicate the key words and phrases looked for by the graders” (Dauber). In this memorandum, I will give you almost a formula in which to begin writing your responses for the written portion of the CPA exam. Please contact me again if you want me to send a couple sample questions pertaining to the written portion of the exam.
Pre-Exam
Before you can even think about essay questions on the CPA exam, you need to know the exact reason for such questions and what the grader is trying to get out of the candidate. “Skill communication…requires organization, clarity, and a sense of the audience. The main objective is to convey to the grader as effectively as possible your response to the question requirements. In so doing, you are expected to observe the conventions of standard written English and generally to write with the competence of a learned professional” (Dauber). You don’t necessarily have to be a great writer; you can be a moderate writer and pass with flying colors as long as you write as you’re told. “The first and most important stage in developing a good answer to an essay