Built by Someone Who's Been There
After 15 years in the CPA review industry, Atlas was created to solve a simple problem: helping candidates find the course that's right for them—not just the one with the best marketing.
The CPA exam is hard enough without wasting months on a review course that doesn't fit how you learn.
Atlas was founded by someone who spent nearly 15 years in the CPA review space—first as a candidate researching courses at 2 AM, then as a user of multiple platforms (some worked, others didn't), and eventually as someone who built their own review course. Through it all, the same pattern kept emerging: people asking "what's the best CPA review course?" when they should be asking "what's the best CPA review course for me?"
That question is harder to answer. It depends on how you learn, what you can afford, how much time you have, and what kind of support keeps you accountable. No listicle can capture that.
That's why the LIFTS framework was created—a structured way to match your actual situation to the course features that matter most. Not the course with the highest commission. Not the one everyone recommends. The one that fits you.
What Guides Us
Experience Over Theory
We don't just aggregate specs from provider websites. With 15 years of industry experience and hands-on time with multiple platforms, we know what actually matters when you're studying for the exam.
Transparency First
Every affiliate relationship is disclosed. Every Meridian mention comes with an ownership badge. We include honest cons for every provider—including our own. Trust isn't built by hiding things.
Your Success, Your Terms
There's no universally "best" course—only the best course for your learning style, budget, timeline, and support needs. The LIFTS framework exists to find that match.
A Note on Transparency
Atlas CPA Index is owned and operated by the same team behind Meridian CPA Review. When Meridian appears in our recommendations or comparisons, this relationship is clearly disclosed with a visible badge.
We believe the only way to build lasting trust is through honesty—about our affiliations, our methodology, and our limitations. If you ever have questions about how we evaluate courses, our process is open.
Ready to Find Your Match?
Take the LIFTS assessment and discover which CPA review course aligns with your unique learning style, budget, and schedule.
Take the Assessment