Universal CPA Review [2022]
Universal CPA Review is an online learning platform to prepare aspiring CPAs. It utilizes the innovative visual learning technique to maximize comprehension, retention, and recall of course content. Besides, it is one of the most affordable CPA Exam review courses.
Co-founded by CPAs Joey Reeve and Matt Reinhold, Universal CPA is a new entrant to the CPA Exam prep industry. Their competitive advantage lies in their visually appealing course material and unique teaching style. This is helping them catch up with other prominent players in the field.
Contents
Overview
Universal has curated its review course specifically for visual learners. This comes as a welcome change to the traditional teaching style that relied mainly on textbooks and long lectures.
The Universal CPA review course includes a slew of video lectures along with visually appealing study guides. This visual stimulus enriches the learning experience of students. As a result, they grasp complex topics quickly and remember them easily. The platform also offers plenty of practice questions using mental map methodology.
Unlike its competitors, Universal explains all its multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs) through videos. In addition, all study materials are mapped to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) CPA Exam Blueprints and updated regularly.
Besides, Universal has partnered with Bryan Kesler at the Ultimate CPA Exam Guide (UCEG) to offer CPA Exam mentoring. Universal also provides a 14-day free trial of the Universal CPA Review course. You can avail it to get an idea of its overall layout, features, and teaching method.
Besides, it has also launched a referral program for its students. They receive a referral reward (10% of referral purchase). In addition, the referred candidates also get a 25% discount on any Universal product.
Undoubtedly, the Universal review course is a visual and mental treat for visual learners. It replaces the traditional, boring accounting lectures with fun and engaging video sessions. So, let’s discuss some of its key features.
Features of Universal CPA Review
#1 – Video Lectures
Universal provides more than 75 hours of mini-lecture videos. These sessions make the most of the visual learning and retention techniques. Here is the breakdown of section-wise lecture videos.
It offers video lectures with section-specific study modules for quick and better comprehension. Take a look here.
These lectures feature enthusiastic instructors who walk you through the lessons in your study guide. In addition, you can see images and text on the screen with the lecturers in the background briefing the concerned topic.
They don’t utilize the boring PowerPoint slides but charts, graphs, blackboard animations, and other visual aids. Hence, you get to understand even the most complicated topics with absolute ease.
#2 – Study Guide
Universal CPA review offers visually enhanced study guides for each section. They are designed after a thorough CPA exam content review of the AICPA blueprints.
So, students can learn using the study guide and reinforce the concepts learned through video lectures. Here is the length of the study guide per section.
The Universal study guides are colorful and way more visually appealing than its competitors (different fonts, colors, and images). This series of e-books are self-explanatory, to-the-point, and easy to read.
A majority of prep course providers go with the eons-old technical and dry language in their study material. However, Universal utilizes plain English language in its guides with a pinch of humor.
As shown above, there is a study guide with each section-specific module.
The attached digital notepad lets you make notes as you study the document. Moreover, you can also download or print the study guide to have offline access to the material.
#3 – Practice Questions
Universal CPA Review course includes AICPA licensed MCQs and TBSs. It also provides you with text and video explanations for each question type. This helps you know why you got the specific question right or wrong.
Please note that Universal does not provide any authoritative research simulations for practice. However, its BEC simulations include written communications.
Here is the section-specific breakdown for MCQs and TBSs.
Each section consists of Progress Test to evaluate your progress. You can pick the number of units from each module to include in the test as you progress through the course. This way, you can produce an unlimited number of customized practice tests.
Universal’s effective and timed practice MCQs and simulations (sims) helps you complete all questions on the exam day without any undue stress.
Products Offered by Universal CPA
The online prep course provider offers three-course packages: Individual Test Bank, Individual Exam, and Complete Package. Applicants may access the course till they pass the exam.
Individual Test Bank, Individual Exam, & Complete Package
Pros & Cons
Pros
#1 – Visual-focused learning approach
Universal’s visual learning method helps you process the content 60,000 times quicker than text-based information. Moreover, it ensures better retention (42% higher) and higher motivation.
With their mini videos, you can comprehend even the most challenging topics with sheer ease. Undoubtedly, the video-based explanations for each question are its unique and exclusive features.
Also, the colorful infographics, eye-catchy images, and engaging videos make accounting lectures enjoyable.
#2 – Experienced team of Instructors
The team of well-trained CPAs at Universal know how to explain even the most boring accounting topics in a fun way. Precisely put, they are innovators with excellent storytelling skills.
Universal boasts of two experienced and quirky co-founders Joey Reeve and Matt Reinhold. They come with 5 and 9+ years of work experience, respectively. Being a relatively new company, you can get in touch with them directly for any of your queries.
The rest of the team also include experienced professionals. Their contribution to Universal focuses on the sole objective to make the exam prep as quick and efficient as possible.
#3 – Unlimited Course Access
Universal offers unlimited course access to the students till they crack the exam. Moreover, you don’t have to pay for the constant study material updates.
This is especially beneficial in case you fail the exam. You can continue to enjoy access to all updated study materials without paying any extra bucks.
It is also mobile-friendly, so you can easily navigate through it on the go. Therefore, don’t feel rushed to study, as your access won’t expire anytime soon!
#4 – Outstanding Student Support
Universal CPA Review course is newer and much smaller in terms of headcount than its competitors. Hence, their responses are more personalized and come directly from the instructors rather than a customer support staff.
Besides, you can e-mail your general queries at [email protected] Also, you can contact [email protected] to clarify other issues. Moreover, you can also indulge in a live chat session and discuss your doubts.
Furthermore, Universal students can avail exam mentoring from Bryan Kesler at the UCEG. As a Universal student, you may start by taking a study personality quiz. As soon as you finish it, Bryan will get in touch with you. You get valuable exam tips and information to help you qualify the exam.
Cons
#1 – No Pass Rate
Universal is a relatively new prep course provider in the market. Hence, it does not have any published pass rate data for the students. However, before the online expansion, it tutored more than 200 New York students. They had a 95% pass rate.
Also, you can assess its effectiveness through several student testimonials published on its website.
#2 – No Timed Mock Tests
Taking up the timed practice CPA exams is essential for students. It aids them to set the right speed to finish the test within four hours. Unfortunately, Universal doesn’t provide timed mock exams, which fails to create an exam-like experience.
However, you can set up a timer yourself and start the test. This will give you an idea of the required speed to complete the exam within the stipulated period. Also, it will boost your mental stamina.
#4 – Not Enough Sims
Universal does not provide authoritative research sims (yet). However, it is relatively a new course, so that we can expect more updates with time. Also, the number of sims is way too less for satisfactory CPA exam preparation. Hence, the Universal CPA Review course needs to gear up in that department.
#5 – No Mobile App
With their busy schedules, students usually look forward to studying on the go. However, Universal doesn’t have a separate app. This poses some issues for such students. But note that the course is mobile friendly.
Free Trial: A Walkthrough for Students!
Click here to get your Universal CPA Review Free Trial. To begin the review course, follow the steps below:
#1 – Enter your log-in credentials on the website.
Your online dashboard is displayed. It consists of all four exam sections, each with study time and average scores of practice tests. Besides, it also presents the total number of correct and answered questions in each section.
- Click CONTINUE under any section to start studying. Each exam section content is divided into chapters that are further sub-divided into modules.
Each module consists of video lectures, study guides and notes, and MCQs and TBSs.
Pick up any module and go through its video lectures and study guide. Also, you may start practicing MCQs and TBSs. Each module specifies the number of available MCQs and TBSs.
Click LAUNCH for MCQs or TBSs. Then, select the duration (number of questions) and question type (all, last seen, incorrect, or flagged as difficult).
Click BEGIN SESSION to start your test. The following images display the MCQ and TBS sessions.
Each MCQ and TBS has a video explanation of the answer. If you have any doubts about the question, you can clarify it under the “Ask Joey a Question” section.
View your progress report in each section on the dashboard.
Click SCORE DISTRIBUTION to see your average scores.
Click PROGRESS TEST for MCQs and Simulations.
You can decide the number of units to be included in each Progress test.
What do the customers say?
Let’s see what the Universal CPA Review students have to say about the course.
A – Universal created MCQ and sim explanation videos to break the traditional tedious learning process. It helps students to master practical application of theoretical concepts quickly and efficiently.
A – Universal CPA Review course offers three packages: Individual Test Bank ($150), Individual Exam ($500), and Complete Package ($1850). You can choose the one as per your budget and learning needs.
A – The Universal CPA Review course comes with unlimited access. It means that students can keep utilizing its study materials until they crack the CPA exam. So, you don’t have to pay any additional charges.
Final Verdict
Universal CPA Review is the right choice for individuals who wish to take a fresh CPA exam prep approach. Its bite-sized video lectures, short and straightforward answer explanations, and compelling study guides are worth a shot.
Yes, it might not have as many features and practice questions as its more famous and established counterparts. However, its detailed explanations of each answer go above and beyond the other providers.
Moreover, you can use this review course as a stand-alone or supplement it with another prep course. Either way, Universal won’t let you down and will give you excellent results.
