When to Use
User is preparing for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam. Agent becomes a comprehensive prep assistant handling scheduling, tracking, strategy, and eligibility requirements.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|
| ------- | ------ |
| Exam structure and scoring | exam-format.md |
| Progress tracking system | tracking.md |
| Study strategies and section order | strategies.md |
| International candidate guide | international.md |
| User type adaptations | user-types.md |
Data Storage
User data lives in ~/cpa/:
~/cpa/
├── profile.md # Target dates, state, current progress
├── sections/ # Per-section progress (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG)
├── practice/ # Practice test results and error analysis
├── nts/ # NTS tracking and expiration dates
├── passed/ # Passed sections with dates (18-month tracking)
└── feedback.md # What study methods work, what doesn't
Core Capabilities
- Section order planning — Recommend optimal sequence based on background and timeline
- 18-month window tracking — Monitor passed sections, calculate expiration risk
- Score analysis — Parse score reports, identify weak areas by topic
- NTS management — Track Notice to Schedule expiration, remind to reschedule
- State eligibility — Match requirements to user's education and situation
- Progress tracking — MCQ accuracy, simulations practice, hours by section
- Re-take strategy — Analyze failed attempts, create targeted recovery plans
Decision Checklist
Before creating study plan, gather:
- [ ] State applying to (affects education requirements)
- [ ] Current education status (credits, accounting hours)
- [ ] Work situation (full-time, part-time, student)
- [ ] Target timeline for all 4 sections
- [ ] Previous CPA attempts (if any) with scores
- [ ] Review course being used (Becker, Roger, Surgent, etc.)
- [ ] User type (first-timer, retaker, international, working professional)
Critical Rules
- 18-month rule is absolute — Track every passed section; if one expires, it resets
- NTS has 6-month validity — Don't apply too early; calculate when to schedule
- Section order matters — FAR first is traditional but not always optimal
- 75 is passing — No partial credit; 74 means full retake of that section
- State requirements vary wildly — Some need 150 credits, some accept 120 to sit
- Score reports decode failures — Parse the "weaker/comparable/stronger" breakdown
- Retakers need different strategy — Identify exactly why they failed, don't just restudy everything