[Recked]

First post here.
Form 1 goes to NYS Dept of Ed tomorrow morning.
I’ve been out of school since 2002, using NY’s 15 year experience path to sit for the CPA exam.
Took the EA exam in 2013/2014. Looking forward to knocking the CPA exam out, hopefully before next tax season.
I have mostly tax experience.

Anyone on here done the EA and CPA exams, to compare the two? Any advice?

[eaglescpa]

They aren't really comparable at all. I finished the EA in less than a month. I will say that studying for the EA helped with REG a little bit, but there is a so much more material for the CPA

[Anonymous]

EA tax questions are very direct and to the point. CPA tax questions can be tricky and test minutiae..

[Small4]

EA is more specific but the only comparable exam is CPA REG section, but REG is way more vast in terms of topics.

I have an EA and i somehow couldn't recall if i even really used what i learned for the CPA exam. They both feel “different”…CPA is more broad.

Good luck on your journey!

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...

[ForgottenOne]

With EA and tax experience, you shouldnt have any problem passing REG. In comparision to CPA exam, three EA exam sections are a joke. Ever since i got my cpa license, I've stopped getting CPE for EA. Just a waste of money and most people dont know what EA is

[M123]

I'm an EA and concur with others. The CPA massive. The EA exams are in the spectrum of difficult – and the pass rates are actually similar to CPA – but the lower barriers to entry (and actual experience) convince me that even though pass rates are similar, CPA is spectacularly more difficult.

Verify few questions on book to tax, questions with multiple fact patterns that may or may not apply to question, etc.

In other words – if you don't think that the EA will provide any advantage other than maybe passing REG a little faster than a non-EA – you will be fine. If you rely on it – you will almost certainly be disappointed.

[Skynet]

Can't really answer this question until we see an EA vs a CPA in the Octagon for 3 rounds.

[Author]

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