[Anonymous]

Should I study and pass the CPA exam before the EA (Enrolled Agent) exam?

[Lidis]

Hi,

You should pass the CPA exam first. Passing the CPA exam is free pass to become EA. Besides the CPA exam requires more preparation time and effort.

Lidis

[leglock]

What is the benefit of being an EA?

[M.O.D.]

Study for the EA at the same time you study for REG (if you have time).

EA is good preparation for REG. Hit two birds with one stone.

I did not take REG yet, but a friend with an EA did and found it easy after passing the EA.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

Finish the CPA first then do the EA exam. From what I heard it's REG on steroids so it may actually help a bit to study REG and some of the EA close together to enhance your tax knowledge.

[005]

Why take the EA if you will have the CPA?

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[leglock]

Im curious about that too. What advatafes are there to being an EA if u r a CPA

[Skynet]

@ 005 & leglock – It is actually a great conversation starter since very few people know about the designation.

During networking events, I tell people I'm an EA and they are like “What exactly is that?”

It's also fairly easy and inexpensive to maintain too.

[leglock]

Thanks skynet for the answer on this thread and the other. Was there a specific review course you utilized to prepare for the EA test, or did you just use your CPA review course materials.

Also, about how much time did you allocate to preparing for the exam?

Thank you.

[Skynet]

As for the course i used, which I don't recommend, was the Passkey EA materials on Amazon.

As for study time, it will vary. I had some tax experience before and was studying for the CPA exams so it was easier for me. For someone who is new to taxes may have a more difficult time. The upside is that it is mostly basic tax materials which is practically the minimum knowledge required. There aren't heavy calculations either so there is really no need to stress out. The order of difficulty of the three sections are Individuals, Business, Representation.

[Tux]

To Skynet – Really? The individual section is harder than the business section?

I was planning to take business first to get it over with, thinking it's the hardest.

One of the EA review materials – TaxMama.com – shows that preparing for the business section takes about 2 months through the live courses and individual section takes one month, so it seems that there's more info there.

I have not purchased the Tax Mama study course, but would consider it.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Tux]

To leglock – re: advantage of EA and CPA

I've been trying to figure this out too, so that I could decide whether I should pursue the EA after my CPA exams or not.

Then, I spoke to a business owner in FL who is both CPA and EA. I asked her opinion and advice…..

She said that it's a competitive market out there and any additional certifications may help you stand out above the competition to get work.

Since not all CPA's specialize in tax, the EA shows that tax is your area of expertise.

Her advice is the reason I decided to stop deliberating over the decision and to go for it.

I gotta pass REG first…..then, I'll dive into the EA preparation.

But, after studying REG, I'm assuming I'll be 50-75% of the way there already, so just another small leap and I'll have another certification.

Not a bad investment of time.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Skynet]

@Tux – The Individual section is harder due to the amount of different rules for adjustments and deductions. A lot of those are pure memorization which makes it more difficult. I didn't have that difficulty on the Business section because a lot of it was straight forward.

[Skynet]

FYI, I currently know a few people in SoCal who holds the CTEC license, EA, and CPA. It's a litlle overkill but they keep and maintain them anyways.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't bother with EA after your CPA.

It's like getting your GED after you received your bachelors.

There are plenty of other certs you can get that will strike a better conversation and add more value to your brand than the EA.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Billbrasskey. I passed the EA exam only because I knew it would be easier and it would increase my earning potential until I passed the CPA. If you are taking the CPA exam, then I don't think an EA would benefit you. Everybody knows what a CPA is, but the public is not too familiar what an EA is.

[Author]

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