[Shanti]

I’d like to get some opinions. I have been doing bookkeeping and taxes on my own (can’t find a job with a CPA firm), but a couple of the CPA’s that I do their clients’ books keep asking me about getting my EA.

I haven’t passed or taken any sections of the CPA exam, that’s coming in this next window. Because I haven’t found a job where I can be supervised by a CPA, I don’t have the qualifying work experience needed. I don’t have an accounting degree, but went back to school and got the classes I needed to sit for the exam.

What my question is is whether or not I should take the SEE exam and be more marketable, not only in my business but so that I might be able to get a job. I have one CPA that has said he wants me as his seasonal tax help (nothing in writing), but that’s the closest I’ve come to a job or an interview for that matter.

So, tell me what you think. EA or not?

[mla1169]

I am just starting to look into the EA, I've always done friends taxes for them when I've done my own but now that I am getting my CPA, I will not touch anybody's taxes without the EA too, somehow I feel like I'd be jeopardizing myself by taking the chance.

What state are you in? I have no desire at all to go into auditing….so I am getting a non reporting license (MA) and because of that I don't need the supervised experience. The only reason I'd ever even have to point out the difference in my license is if I were requested to sign off on financial statements. Maybe someday I'll go for the experience so that I have a full license but I'm so old I think I'll be retired before that LOL!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I think getting the EA while taking the CPA exam is great for anyone interested in picking up some contract work on the side. Once you are a CPA, the EA is kind of meaningless because from I understand you dont need that certification if u have a CPA license.

Also, in california I think you still have to have a CTEC cert in addition to passing the SEE exam. And from what i understand, the SEE exam is new this year.

Im going to be doing this in sept while Im waiting for my scores. 🙂

@mla, do you happen to know if a “non reporting” license in MA is similiar to a “non-attest” license in CA? I thought the non-attest license just means you cant sign audit opinions, but you can still sign off on financial statements? (like if you are a CFO or something).

[mla1169]

oh Cal I misunderstood your post the other day and thought you were saying one would need BOTH the EA and the CPA to do taxes on their own. This is the direct quote regarding the MA non reporting license

* a non-reporting license allows you to perform all accounting services except issuing reports on financial statements “

So I may have misunderstood that point too thanks for clearing it up!

My brain, is MUSH. Not only from this, but have a final exam for school this week too EEK!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Ok, i think i figured it out…In California you can be a “CRTP” California Registered Tax Preparer. That means you took a 60 hr qualifying course, bonded, received a PTIN from the IRS, and registered with CTEC California Tax Education Council.

If you are a CPA, Attorney, EA, or Actuary, then you DONT need to obtain the CTEC certification or register with CTEC.

To become an EA, the requirements are different than becoming a CRTP. (3 part SEE exam and qualifying education) Also, EA's can practice in any state and represent any tax payer, while CRTPs can only represent CA tax preparers.

[Anonymous]

@mla,

a final exam and you are taking audit this week? WOW! Go get 'em! Good luck!

[mla1169]

I certainly didn't plan it this way LOL! Was hoping to do AUD next week but its month end at work and if I even get to leave the building to go home it will be a small miracle 🙂

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I am an EA. I took the SEE after I passed REG in 2009. It is my back-up plan since I still haven't passed the CPA and I have no work experience under a CPA.

Maybe I should have applied in MA or CA to avoid the work experience??? I am self-employed. Do I really want to spend time working for someone else for 1,000 hours?

I am in SC and I am an Accounting Practioner, which means I have an accounting degree and passed REG and FAR within the 18 month period.

[Anonymous]

I've passed the first part of the EA and plan on sitting for the second part in October. Why I'm studying for two exams, I'm not sure, but I wanted to be done with “something” before the start of next tax season! I think the EA is great to have if your focus is in tax, like mine. I don't plan on auditing, but have almost the required hours, so the CPA for me was really just to be the next in line after my boss. Not quite sure on where I'm going to get the rest of my hours, but that's not something I'm thinking about yet.

Allyson – I'm curious as to where you're going to get your hours in?! I'm at a small firm with one CPA owner and so I'm kind of in the same spot….just not self employed. P.S. Hope you did great today!!

[Anonymous]

I have no idea what I will do. I just keep telling myself to pass the exam first and see what my options are.

[Anonymous]

@Allyson

For the EA, aren't there two pathways? One with work experience but no SEE exam, and a second option with the SEE exam and qualifying education?

How does the SEE exam compare to REG? Are there review courses available? How much is it?

Accounting Practitioner? Thats cool, i dont think we have an equivalent to that in CA.

I was hoping to become a CRTP or an EA (probably a CRTP since its easier and cheaper and Im getting the CPA at some point anyway), and i was thinking of approaching local CPA firms and offering to pick up contract work to do from home during the tax season.

[Anonymous]

I found an old thread you may find helpful and bumped it up.

[HazeEastwood]

What is an EA?

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[Minimorty]

Enrolled Agent. Its a designation for tax return preparation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrolled_agent

https://www.irs.gov/taxpros/agents/article/0,,id=100710,00.html

[Shanti]

Thanks for the opinions. I am in CA and already registered with CTEC.

What I understood as to how you can become an EA is either work for the IRS or pass the test. I've seen review courses for the SEE but I would hope that after you study for REG, it wouldn't take much more studying to pass the SEE.

@Allyson… in CA you still need work experience, even if you don't get the full license that lets sign off on Audit reports. That's my sticking point, it's 1 year full time if you have 150 units.

@Cal… the class and test for the CRTP, is an open book type thing you can download and get done really quickly. Getting the PTIN, is just a matter of registering. The test that they are talking about hasn't been created yet and will be required in 2013 or 2014.

[Anonymous]

@ Allyson

Thanks for bumping up that older thread!

@Shantik

Thanks for the clarification about the CRTP. So if you are already a CRTP, why do you want to be an EA? Do you find that most employers prefer that you be a EA? Have you been able to use the CRTP designation to pick up any contract work during tax season?

[Author]

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