EA for Manager??

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  • #199562
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello guys!

    i was wondering, in a big4 firm, usually you cannot be promoted to Manager (sometimes even Senior) without being a CPA or JD. My understanding is, you need to have an appropriate certification to be able to be a manager/senior. My question is, does being an EA (Enrolled Agent) count? Can I have an EA and be promoted to manager/senior?

    Any advice would help! Thanks!

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #754995
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I probably should have mentioned that this is for the TAX department in a big4 firm- NOT Audit!

    #754996
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Well if they say EA qualifies, EA is not as strict and educationally equal to CPA or JD, but EA is tax specific. So unless they say EA qualifies CPA or JD is it.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #754997
    Dave71
    Participant

    just throwing my two cents in there. I worked for a big 4 for two years. My tax manager was an EA and not a CPA, but traditionally you need your CPA.

    REG - 10/12/2015 77
    AUD - 01/06/2016 75
    BEC - 01/16/2016 75
    FAR - 02/27/2016 68 Retake 05/13/16 70 Retake TBD

    #754998
    Son
    Participant

    akcpa22, EA is an option IF you're not eligible to sit for the CPA or get licensed as an attorney. Usually this happens when Big4 tax recruits people who don't have an accounting/law background and can't meet educational requirements to become a CPA. This is rare, but happens if someone with specialized skills (e.g., technology background) joins the firm.

    I know people who took the EA test to get promoted to managers because they didn't meet work or educational requirements for CPA at the time and their partner didn't want them to miss that year's promotion cycle. But, both of them passed the CPA/met the requirements and got licensed afterwards.

    Don't know what your motivation for taking EA instead of CPA is, but keep in mind that asking your boss to let you off the hook because you can't pass the CPA is not going to help you build a case to become a manager.

    AUD - passed
    REG - passed
    BEC - passed
    FAR - passed

    #754999
    PublicGuy
    Participant

    As a general rule, no. But exceptions have been made in my office. I can't say I know all the details, but it certainly seems that if you are highly rated and very good in your role that the firm is more likely to bend the rules.

    #755000
    taxsage
    Member

    At the Big 4 firm I work at you don't even get a congratulations for getting your EA. Company policy is you NEED a CPA license to be a manager in the US.

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