[Last Chance CPA]

Hello. I am ready to start studying for the EA exams since I cannot hold myself out as a CPA (I lack the work requirement). For reasons that I cannot recall now, it took me 5x to pass REG. And I think I know REG and BEC way better than FAR and AUD. The MBA helped me pass BEC easily.

I need to start my side hustle tax/accounting biz so need to get EA licensed ASAP.
1-Is the EA exam easy compared to REG? I know many have asked this question but I was looking for a couple of concrete reasons why EA is easier than REG.

2-I was thinking about going with PassKey. Should I go with the books or the software? $25 or $40 monthly subscription sounds really good for the software. And I am hearing there is one comprehensive book out there for all 3 parts? I am not seeing it on Amazon.

MBA, PMP, CPA, CISA -> EA…when will it stop 🙁

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Last Chance CPA]

$200K? What do I look like, a peasant 🙂 ?!?!?

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Jimmy Dugan]

I don't know how much value the EA is going to be for you, especially from a marketing standpoint. Nobody outside the tax world really knows what it is, and you can already do paid return prep without it.

[Last Chance CPA]

Well, in CA, I either need a CTEC or EA since I don't have a CPA license #. And it's good knowledge…

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[freecloud]

I have an EA, still working on CPA. I dont think it will be worth enough especially the people only know CPA since I have been asked for many times when talking to clients. You will feel reality especially when you are going to do your own business.

[belam3057]

Following this post. I'm also studying for the EA exam to hopefully pass by the middle of January to also start a part time tax business. I need all the tips and advice I can get!!

[Small4]

the book is all you need tbh.

Also, CPA is much more known than EA. I feel like those with EAs are the ones who actually become tax preparers for boutique firms that they create. CPA firms typically dont mind their staff having EAs only with the expectation of getting the CPA soon after. If i were you, have BOTH of them active.

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Future CPA]

I will say your posts are inspiring. I worked in tax at a small tax firm for a year. I passed all 3 parts of the EA exam and became licensed in 2017 but it is inactive right now. I’m currently studying for the CPA and will hopefully get through it sooner rather than later. I never thought about doing tax as a side hustle before but now it seems so tempting. I wish you luck on the EA exam.

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks Paige. I am still going back and forth with whether I will take the EA exams. I have enough exams/certs under my belt. At this point, I am going right into tax, bookkeeping/payroll, and small business accounting as a side hustle. Maybe I will get my CPA work requirements covered somehow in the future. But I will most likely remain in IT consulting as my primary career.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Skynet]

@ Last Chance CPA – You should just go for it. It doesn't cost much to take the 3 exams. Plus there is no experience requirement. Plus it costs very little to maintain the CPE requirements each year. I spend a little over $100 each year for the CPE through “ClientWhys”.

Plus there are also lots of networking opportunities with CSEA and CSTC chapter meetings which you can earn CPE for going to these meetings. You can land a seasonal job for the tax season if you find someone who needs help during the tax season and willing to take you on and train you.

I don't work in tax right now, but while i was interviewing, i would leverage the EA to the accounting positions i was applying for which helped me in the interview process because i had some tax experience.

[Author]

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