[Anonymous]

Hey guys, I am planning on taking the Special Enrollment Exams to get my EA while I prepare and work towards taking REG……..my question is this. Would it be a bad idea to study and take the EA exams leading up to the REG exam? Kind of like a preparation and further study and practice before I sit for the REG exam?

I was thinking of taking the EA exams the 23rd & 24th, and then sitting for REG on October 1st.

What are your guys thoughts?

[y_u_no_pass]

I took REG in July and my boyfriend is currently taking the EA Exam. I think it is a great preparation for REG as pretty much every tax item on REG is covered on the EA, but in more detail. Will you be taking both parts 1 & 2 before your REG exam. If so, I say go for it. Tax is 60% of REG and you will just be over prepared for it. Be sure to spend your remaining time reviewing business law and ethics.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Anonymous]

@y_u_no_pass That's kind of what I thought. I was gong to take parts 1 & 3 definitely before REG, but not sure about part 2 yet, it depends on whether or not I will have time.

[Anonymous]

Bumpidy bump

[Anonymous]

Anyone else have any thoughts on this plan? If I just rock through MCQ's at this point should i focus on a EA test bank or just keep using the NINJA MCQ's? Or should I try to mix and go back and forth?

[Anonymous]

If you don't have an EA test bank, don't get one. I read a review book a few days before and passed with no problems. But I'm not a studier. If you want to do REG questions, I'm sure you'll be covered.

[Anonymous]

I took and passed the EA exam, and think it would be excellent preparation for the tax part. Also, after I get my CPA license in October, I'll still use my EA license to deal with the IRS. I really feel that they are a lot more helpful to me than the CPAs in the office.

[Skynet]

@MattFoley – You don't have to worry about the EA exams too much. It is nothing compare to REG. The hardest section is the the first part which is Individuals. There is a lot of concepts but if you know how to prepare a return, then you are OK. The business section is much easier. There aren't much calculations. The most calculations you'll do is determining Basis, Depreciation, or Estate and Trust taxes. It probably count at least 10-15% of the exam. The last one is Representation which is the easiest. Don't be surprised if there are a few questions from the First and Second sections in the Representation section but they are minimal.

[mla1169]

I'm currently studying for the EA exam only because the online course I'm doing covers 75% of my CPE units to renew my license and I figured I may as well take the EA. Skynet I thought the 2nd section on corporations was going to be harder, that's not true?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[y_u_no_pass]

The second section has a lower pass rate, but I'm sure it is like the CPA different sections are harder for different people.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Skynet]

@mla1169 – I thought the Business Section was going to be harder myself too, but it actually wasn't. It was actually more concepts than calculations. Basis, Depreciation, and Trust and Estate taxes were all I really had for calculations. I was actually done sooner than I did with the Individual section.

[Anonymous]

So it sounds like now is a pretty good time to try for the EA as I work towards the REG exam…..do you think taking 1 or 2 EA exams on the 30th woukd be a bad idea if I am scheduled for the REG exam on the 1st?

[Tux]

Glad to see several people going for the EA, as well as the CPA.

I've been considering whether or not to go for the EA once I complete the CPA exams. I'm very undecided.

The feedback I've received is that you don't need the EA with a CPA. No one can tell me what type of benefit it would give me. I was advised to focus more on work experience.

So, I don't know what to do.

I definitely plan to specialize in tax.

Anyone have advice to help me decide ????

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

[Author]

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