EA status

[TAX4US]

I have deceided that to continue in this business I need an EA status. Suggestions on possible courses and lenght of time required to obtain. Have been preparing for 30 years. Mostly 1040's. How to prepare for study habit. Many thanks. I did do the RRTP test and passed, but this was an open book sort of thing. I understand this is a no book allowed. Seems strange to test without materials, when we have all the books, cheat sheets, software when preparing returns. Maybe I just don't get it.

[oceanlovin'ea]

You have access to Pub 17 when you take the test, I was told. But you have to be quick about looking things up I was also told.

Already an EA so I am not sure what others used to study. I think there are some threads that have discussed that. Maybe do a search.

Linda, EA

[appelman]

EA study

Things have changed a lot since when I took the exam. At that time it was two days and totally closed book. But the IRS also used to send you a packet of pubs to study. Local sections of the NAEA offer prep courses, as does (I think!) H & R Block. They both tend to be pricey, though the NAEA sections will sometimes offer ex post facto scholarships. There are numerous self-study prep courses offered. Quality varies. Prior year exams and answers used to be published by various organizations. If they still are, they are worth studying as a supplement to the tax law itself, not as a substitute. A practitioner used to be able to ace the 1040 section with minimal study. Business and entity issues were more difficult. It has been said that when you take the EA exam you know more about taxation than you ever did before or ever will again!

[ChEAr$]

Like Evan just said, the test used to a real B...... uh.. bear. Two days worth covering inidividual, partnership, corporate and some general type practice questions. The latter section are now heavy on ethics.

If I were going to review for it today, I would choose Gleim; see http://www.gleim.com/accounting/ea/?...information_id

Their reputation is excellent.

[Gary2]

H&R Block, at least for company-owned offices, no longer offers advanced level courses to non-employees.

[Roberts]

Like Evan just said, the test used to a real B...... uh.. bear. Two days worth covering inidividual, partnership, corporate and some general type practice questions. The latter section are now heavy on ethics.

The pressure of knowing you had to wait an entire year if you failed a section was massive.

Honestly, if I had failed anything that first try, not sure I could have gotten myself up to try again a year later.

[Gary]

Pubs

I also took the test when administered by the IRS. The Pubs were the best resource. Many of the questions were the examples in the Pubs. Don't know if that is true today, but you can't lose by reviewing the Pubs.

[geekgirldany]

Here are two threads from me in 2007/2008 when I took the exam. I can not believe it has been five years.

http://forum.thetaxbook.com/showthread.php?6137-My-EA-Exam&highlight=gleim

http://forum.thetaxbook.com/showthread.php?9324-Final-EA-Exam&highlight=gleim

[taxea]

I took the exam in '93. At that time you were not allowed to use any resource material, notes, calculator, or your own pencil/pen and I recall that any bags were not allowed in the testing room. I would imagine that they would not allow any electronic devices either. They provided pencils and scratch paper to do calculations. You needed to have all the information (calculations) in your head. It was a four part test-if you don't pass one part you can take just that part the following year. It includes much more that the RTPR test. i.e. Corp, S Corp, Partnerships, gift tax, retirement, capital gain/loss etc.

Find a prep course for EA Test it will help a great deal.

[S T]

Tax4Us, It is a right and wise choice for you. Good Luck with the studying and the Exam.

I received mine back in the 1980's so I am of no assistance on how to study for the EA exam now. But I do believe it is easier now than when I sat for the exam - 2 parts- 2 days, and I missed one Part by "1" and had the two year rule to complete. I was devastated, and stressed, etc., but managed.

My understanding now, from prior posts that you can research on TMI Board for postings, a lot of Ethics.

Wishing you good luck!

Sandy

[mactoolsix]

Test taking is nobody's favorite subject. With that in mind, and 30 years since your last test? the biggest problem might be getting prepared for the way the questions are asked. Gleim books are excellent, and Fast Forward Academy has a free test bank online.

Here is a link to a bank of questions that bear an unreal resemblance to the test: http://fastforwardacademy.com/index-page-login.htm You'll have to register, but the whole section is free, and will even track your progress. (Click on EA Test Bank, then chose a topic . . . )

Here is a link to the list of topics on each test: http://fastforwardacademy.com/index-...t-exam-see.htm

Mike

[DaveO]

I took and passed the exam in 1998. I used Gleim and highly reccomend their study guides and the computer based exam module. I don't know how they are set up now but would hope they are just as good now as then.

I blocked off time for study and shut myself up in my office, shut off the phone and put on some soft classical music. I started with 1 hour blocks nad moved to two hour shortly before the exam. It's well worth getting the EA designation. Good Luck!