Exam ace.

• Position: Final entry - Interview - Cover story

Member Daniel Rakad apparently has a bright future ahead of him--if his performance on the Uniform CPA Examination is any indication. Rakad, an assurance associate at EY, earned the 2015 CalCPA Forbes Award for being the highest scorer on the Exam in California. And he was a recipient of the AICPA Elijah Watt Sells Award, given to CPA candidates who have obtained a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the Exam, passed all four sections of the Exam on their first attempt and completed testing in 2015. We spoke with Rakad about how he propped for the Exam and where he's looking to take his career.

What led you to wanting to become a CPA?

I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in business. It was when I took my first accounting class in college that I knew this was the career path for me. Everything I learned just made so much sense to me and I truly enjoyed it.

Are you looking to focus on any particular practice area?

I'm still learning about and exploring various areas and aspects of a career as a CPA. I'm definitely planning on focusing on a specific area in the future once I determine which specialization is the best fit for me.

Were you always a good test taker growing up?

I did perform well on tests when growing up. I attended high school in the Czech Republic where tests tended to be quite difficult, which also taught me how to study effectively and efficiently, and how to be prepared for each test or assignment. These skills then became crucial in college and during my CPA preparation.

How many study hours do you think you put in to studying for the Uniform CPA Examination?

It's difficult to estimate the total time commitment. I started studying in early June 2015 and took my last exam in the beginning of September of the same year. My study period was approximately two months. However, I also took summer classes and worked part time. I usually studied for five to six hours a day on weekdays and for 12-plus hours a day on weekends.

Describe your typical study routine.

I would read the book and sometimes watch the lectures. However, the vast majority of my study time was spent taking practice tests and going through hundreds of released sample questions from prior exams. I found out that it was the best way to fully understand the CPA test and to master the kind of problems I would encounter on the actual tests.

What was the most challenging exam area for you and why?

Financial Accounting and Reporting. I...