[Anonymous]

Could anyone suggest me how to prepare for enrolled agent exam. Suggest me some good books.

[Roxwella]

CPA is what you need, EA title is completely unknown to the public at this point. CPA on the front door should drive business.

[kayakate24601]

Fast Forward Academy fastforwardacademy.com is what I used to do my EA…just bought the book and the online unlimited questions.

Such a breeze compared to CPAs but extremely in depth tax. must know details you did not need to know on REG and its three tests 100 question each and you know right then if pass or fail, but not the score you made if you pass. I took all three in a week, MWF, 123. SEE is the official name.

The IRS does care much about the EA vs CPA. IMHO. An EA is federally licensed with unlimited rights of representation. A CPA (to the IRS) is only licensed to complete returns of the state's residents and are limited to represent taxpayers from their state. (granted you can get the case heard in other states but) I agree the EA is unknown, but if the IRS can get this RTRP idea kicked but require the EA that'd be great!

B ~ 78 (04.02.12)
A ~ 70 (08.31.12) ~ 77 (10.05.12)
R ~ 81 (04.04.12)
F ~ 65 (11.12.12) ~ 73 (02.28.13) ~ 77 (04.01.13)

[kayakate24601]

Fast Forward Academy fastforwardacademy.com is what I used to do my EA…just bought the book and the online unlimited questions.

Such a breeze compared to CPAs but extremely in depth tax. must know details you did not need to know on REG and its three tests 100 question each and you know right then if pass or fail, but not the score you made if you pass. I took all three in a week, MWF, 123. SEE is the official name.

The IRS does care much about the EA vs CPA. IMHO. An EA is federally licensed with unlimited rights of representation. A CPA (to the IRS) is only licensed to complete returns of the state's residents and are limited to represent taxpayers from their state. (granted you can get the case heard in other states but) I agree the EA is unknown, but if the IRS can get this RTRP idea kicked but require the EA that'd be great!

B ~ 78 (04.02.12)
A ~ 70 (08.31.12) ~ 77 (10.05.12)
R ~ 81 (04.04.12)
F ~ 65 (11.12.12) ~ 73 (02.28.13) ~ 77 (04.01.13)

[JUTTERB]

If you have your CPA I see no reason to go after the EA. I'm a tax guy and don't see why you'd get both……seems like a waste of time and money IMHO. None of the Tax partners I've encountered throughout my career at 2 firms (both top 50 – one big 4) were enrolled agents for what its worth. We deal with clients all over the nation and have never had a problem with representation as a licensed CPA,

FAR - PASSED 11/2009 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
REG - PASSED 1/2011 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
AUD - PASSED 5/2011
BEC - PASSED 11/2011
ETHICS - PASSED 12/2012

Licensed Colorado CPA

[JUTTERB]

If you have your CPA I see no reason to go after the EA. I'm a tax guy and don't see why you'd get both……seems like a waste of time and money IMHO. None of the Tax partners I've encountered throughout my career at 2 firms (both top 50 – one big 4) were enrolled agents for what its worth. We deal with clients all over the nation and have never had a problem with representation as a licensed CPA,

FAR - PASSED 11/2009 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
REG - PASSED 1/2011 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
AUD - PASSED 5/2011
BEC - PASSED 11/2011
ETHICS - PASSED 12/2012

Licensed Colorado CPA

[Gerg, CPA]

i'm going to have to agree w/ some of the others in here. you have no need for EA designation if you are a CPA. waste of time & money. i know of 1 person that is even considering getting an EA – and that is because they have basically given up on getting their CPA. everything for EA is covered in CPA, and CPA is more expansive. Masters of tax is a good idea, but don't get EA. it's like the tax preparation examination that the IRS was trying to institute this year – not needed if you are a CPA, because CPA covers everything

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Gerg, CPA]

i'm going to have to agree w/ some of the others in here. you have no need for EA designation if you are a CPA. waste of time & money. i know of 1 person that is even considering getting an EA – and that is because they have basically given up on getting their CPA. everything for EA is covered in CPA, and CPA is more expansive. Masters of tax is a good idea, but don't get EA. it's like the tax preparation examination that the IRS was trying to institute this year – not needed if you are a CPA, because CPA covers everything

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Anonymous]

If you've passed REG, you'll easily be able to pass all three sections of the SEE w/ minimal studying. REG is more conceptual and tricky, while the SEE is straight forward – you either know it or you don't.

Old exam questions are posted on the IRS website, and they're very similar to the ones found on the current exams.

Becoming a CPA is undoubtedly way to go, but if you have some extra time and a few extra dollars, I don't see how passing the EA could hurt.

[Anonymous]

If you've passed REG, you'll easily be able to pass all three sections of the SEE w/ minimal studying. REG is more conceptual and tricky, while the SEE is straight forward – you either know it or you don't.

Old exam questions are posted on the IRS website, and they're very similar to the ones found on the current exams.

Becoming a CPA is undoubtedly way to go, but if you have some extra time and a few extra dollars, I don't see how passing the EA could hurt.

[kbbflo]

I am an enrolled agent now taking the cpa exam. I work for a representation firm and our clients come from all over the world. Since the EA license is granted at the federal level and covers all 50 states I know I can work for anyone that contacts me. I totally agree that the CPA designation is much more well known and gives potential clients a comfort level, but for the small cost of obtaining the license (I think the exams were around $100 per section) I think it is well worth it if you want to expand beyond your area….I used fast forward academy as well. I probably put in about 20 hours of studying for each section and passed each on the first try.

[kbbflo]

I am an enrolled agent now taking the cpa exam. I work for a representation firm and our clients come from all over the world. Since the EA license is granted at the federal level and covers all 50 states I know I can work for anyone that contacts me. I totally agree that the CPA designation is much more well known and gives potential clients a comfort level, but for the small cost of obtaining the license (I think the exams were around $100 per section) I think it is well worth it if you want to expand beyond your area….I used fast forward academy as well. I probably put in about 20 hours of studying for each section and passed each on the first try.

[MM_CPA]

Does anyone know how much is it to renew a EA license? Is it every year?

Trying to figure out how much it will cost to be maintain a EA license every year, even though I am already a CPA.

Passed all 4 parts exam.

[MM_CPA]

Does anyone know how much is it to renew a EA license? Is it every year?

Trying to figure out how much it will cost to be maintain a EA license every year, even though I am already a CPA.

Passed all 4 parts exam.

[Author]

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