How to pass CPA CFE 2025 Day 1/ Capstone 1
I found that many students are finding difficulty in passing CPA CFE Day 1 exam. Even in 2024, well qualified CA from India and other countries could not get success in passing day 1 exam. Some have approach me to put one course exclusively for Day 1. I provide below in brief some important strategies & tips to pass this exam at first attempt.
Day 1 – Evaluating your soft / professional skills (4 hours)
The first day of the CFE is a Pass/Fail mark treated separately and distinctly from Day 2 or 3. You can pass or fail Day 1 regardless of how you do on Day 2 and Day 3. Similarly, if you fail Day 1, you need to re-do, and successfully complete Day 1 regardless of how you did in Day 2 or 3. Day 1 is linked to the Capstone 1 module with the case being directly tied to your Capstone 1 case. You are provided with the original Capstone 1 case (not your solution) and the updated information on your CFE case. Day 1 tests your soft/professional skills, at a senior management level discussion. You are not expected to discuss accounting or other technical competencies in any great detail but focus on the ‘enabling competencies’.
Capstone 1 case is mainly focusing enabling competencies. Therefore report will focus enabling competencies in depth and technical up to level 1. Enabling competencies are, problems solving and professional judgement, leadership, ethical, communication and etc. Capstone one case is mainly related with problem solving issue.
- Know your Capstone 1 case inside and out ahead of time
- Broad thinking and integration of case facts
- Assess the situation and what needs to be done (situation analysis)
- Analyze the major issues
- Conclude and provide useful advice (solution)
- Ensure your communication is clear
In situation analysis, provide present environment, assess the situation with tools like, Portal Five forces, PESTAL analysis and SWOT analysis, key success factors, financial ratios and etc. Detail information is provided in background of the case in first 20 pages. Write briefly in 30 to 40 minutes.
In the second part identify all strategic issues (mostly 4) and operating issues.
For strategic issues, perform both quantitative and qualitative analysis, use appropriate tools for quantitative analysis, and provide your answer looking into internal and external environment of the company, taxation and your information in situation analysis.
Students are required to prepare a report. See the format of report in detail.
Students who need training /coaching for CPA CFE 2025, please visit www.beyond.coach






