NINJA CPA Review Review: CPA Exam Prep Courses

Ninja CPA Review describes itself as a "too good to be true" CPA review course, which rather than creating confidence, raised some eyebrows during our review. Known for its pay-as-you-pass program, which started out as a supplement offering a study guide and planner back in 2010, Ninja has grown over the years. Their materials, or "study weapons," have evolved into a full-fledged CPA review course. With over 7,377 students using the program to pass the CPA exam in the past year alone, Ninja CPA Review has clearly made an impact in the test prep industry.

Extremely frustrating ads

Before you can jump into Ninja's program, you'll have to get through the series of pop-up ads that come through when you land on the site. The "Get your free CPA notes" pop-up appeared around every 20 seconds and made it highly frustrating to browse the Ninja site. What we did find during our search was that Ninja CPA Review offers two options for using their program: as a primary review course or as a supplement with other courses. Students who feel like they're not getting enough help from their primary course or have recently failed a section may find Ninja's program to be a valuable supplement. On the other hand, students who want to use it as their primary course can do so without any issues.

Need more transparency on course details

As far as our research shows, Ninja CPA Review doesn't provide nearly enough detailed information about its features and materials. While they mention that you'll get 3+ hours of audio material, a study book, over 300 flashcards, over 7,000 multiple-choice practice questions, notes, access to a cram session, and live teleconferences, it's unclear what these materials look like or how they're organized, or how they vet their tutors for the teleconferences. A more detailed explanation of their platform would help give potential customers a better sense of what they're getting themselves into.

Ninja helps you structure your time

One of the key features of Ninja's methodology is its three core components: Study method, Study planner, and Study scheduler. The study method is designed to help CPA candidates recognize essential facts and remember information more effectively. While this may seem vague, Ninja claims that this approach has been successful in helping students pass the CPA exam. The study planner helps you see what to study and in what order to approach the material. The scheduler, also known as ELL (early, lunch, late), helps you find time in your busy schedule to fit in your studying. This structured approach can be particularly helpful for students who struggle with staying organized.

Prices from $67 per month

Ninja CPA Review's pay-as-you-pass program offers flexibility and affordability, with each section available for $67 per month ($268 for all four sections or $3,216 per year). While this may seem like a good deal upfront, it's essential to consider that you may need to purchase multiple sections depending on your needs. Luckily, there is no long-term contract, so you can cancel at any time if you're not satisfied with the program.

30-day money-back guarantee

Despite its claims of being the best option on the market, Ninja CPA Review's website spends too much time comparing itself to other companies and not enough time explaining its own features and benefits. We would appreciate more transparency and concrete information about their program rather than relying on hype and marketing tactics. While we did find that Ninja offers a 30-day guarantee that allows you to use all their materials and get your money back if you're not satisfied, we're still confused about what those materials really are.

No buzz for Ninja

Talking about reputation, Ninja has very little information out there in terms of reviews. While the website itself points to social media posts praising the program, actual third-party review sites have almost nothing to say. We did find a page for Ninja on the Better Business Bureau with an "A+" rating, but there are no reviews or details to cover why the rating is so high. A few professional blogs have covered Ninja, but they note that while the program is affordable, it's missing some key requirements to make it a successful CPA test prep program.

Needs a little work to be competitive

Until we see more concrete evidence of their effectiveness and value, we recommend considering other CPA test prep options in the market that offer more transparency and better value for money. For now, Ninja stands out for its affordability more than anything, but it may not be ideal for those looking for a complete course of study. For this reason, along with the almost total lack of reviews, Ninja earns a lower rating in our review.

On the NINJA CPA Review website