its always better to take classes,bcoz without a sound conceptual knowledge one cant do accounts,so in my opinion its better to shell out 16000 rather than to waste hours on a single topic while doing self study,one can always combine other books wid classes bt only books widout classes is not a good option according to me,bcoz as in classes v r taught the way v got to present in exams,by self study one cant know what all presentation institution needs,so an expert guidance is always reqd.