Announcement

**Jesse** · 10-12-2006, 01:24 PM

No

Originally posted by Unregistered

So what. You think that not doing anything legally wrong will protect a person from being sued?

Good luck in life.

I did not say nor mean to imply that.

As I said in my earlier post, "I don’t know what you would sue for but if there is something to sue for the only ones that are likely to gain anything are probably the lawyers".

If you are the original Unregistered poster - sue away. And right back at you - Good luck in life!

**Bees Knees** · 10-12-2006, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by Jesse

But should you have to hide your identity as an EA? I identify myself to the public as an EA on my letter head and my business card. If the mortgage company wants to read more into the title the misunderstanding should not be my fault. I am not offering any opinions, just the fact that I did prepare the return.

You shouldn't have to hide your EA credential. But if a mortgage company wants your EA license number, say it is none of their business. The EA license number is between you and the U.S. Treasury. Nobody else.

Don't think just because it isn't your fault, the mortgage company isn't going to come back and try to sue you. At an accounting seminar I attended years ago, the speaker quoted from a magazine article written for attorneys. It said:

"When filing lawsuits, don't forget to name the accountants. They are the ones with deep pockets."

**dsi** · 10-12-2006, 06:27 PM

For the benefit of the "unregistered guest", I have a BS degree in accounting. However, I am not a CPA, rather I am an EA. I prepare tax returns for a handful of CPA's because they are not familiar with tax laws to prepare their own returns. I've always felt that CPA should stand for "Certified Public Auditor", because that is what they really are.

**veritas** · 10-12-2006, 06:32 PM

By the way, what is a license?

**Bird Legs** · 10-12-2006, 07:13 PM

What is a license?

A license is a piece of paper that gives you a legal right to do a certain thing.
Fishing, Hunting, flying a plane, driving a car etc.
Now don,t you see how smart I am? after all, if I was much smarter I would have
all my tax returns completed, instead this is what I am doing.
Am tired.

**veritas** · 10-12-2006, 08:15 PM

Sorry I meant "licence"?

**veritas** · 10-12-2006, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Bird Legs

A license is a piece of paper that gives you a legal right to do a certain thing.
Fishing, Hunting, flying a plane, driving a car etc.
Now don,t you see how smart I am? after all, if I was much smarter I would have
all my tax returns completed, instead this is what I am doing.
Am tired.

Soon to be done. Hang in.

**OldJack** · 10-12-2006, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by dsi

For the benefit of the "unregistered guest", I have a BS degree in accounting. However, I am not a CPA, rather I am an EA. I prepare tax returns for a handful of CPA's because they are not familiar with tax laws to prepare their own returns. I've always felt that CPA should stand for "Certified Public Auditor", because that is what they really are.

Well... could the CPA's you are working for simply find it cheaper to hire you. I'm a CPA and although I don't know everything about taxes I have been doing them for quite awhile. True, I make more money doing audits than taxes, but I refer to myself as an accountant because I know a lot about that which is why I also do audits. You have the degree.. why not take a chance on passing the CPA exam, then you can be a smart CPA?

PS: did you think only smart EA's were members on this forum?

**taxea** · 10-13-2006, 06:42 AM

Enrolled Agent License

Originally posted by Unregistered

You’re right about that. EA only have to have a high-school diploma, and pass a two-day test on taxes.
CPA in most states have to have a College degree, plus pass a examine in all areas of accounting, law and taxes.

On behalf of all Enrolled Agents please I am taking the opportunity to respond to this "Unregistered" comment about the difference between CPA and EA.

The fact of the matter is a CPA Certified Public Accountant is a recognized expert in ACCOUNTING!!!!

An Enrolled Agent is recognized by the IRS as a TAX expert! Big difference if you ask me.
An EA takes a 4 day test without benefit of any reference materal which includes no calculator, no crib notes, no publications, no tax forms, none of the calculations required to figure various deductions. They are not even allowed to take their own pencil or scratch paper into the testing area. All the various calculations necessary have to be in your head when you walk into the room.

We are required by the IRS to do continuing education in order to maintain our EA status.

How many CPA's do you know do their CPE hours in tax rather than accounting seminars?

You owe us a huge apology for your ignorance!!!!

I have amended numerous returns prepared by CPA's who "prepare returns beyond their tax knowledge".

When the apology is posted I'll be okay again
taxea

**Jiggers** · 10-13-2006, 09:22 AM

EA vs CPA

The EA takes a 2-day test, not a 4-day test.

I am an EA and proud of it. I do not want to be a CPA. I do not like auditing and they have stricter restrictions in regards to preparation of financial statements.

I have no complaints against CPA's. There are good ones and bad ones. I do a complicated tax return for a CPA because she is versed in accounting, not taxes.

I also do several complicated tax returns for IRS employees!

I specialize in income tax and only income tax. I do not want to specialize in accounting and GAAP. I tried that and didn't care for it.

I do have problems with CPA's who think they are mightier than EA's. I have problems with EA's who think they know more tax than CPA's.

I never knock competition, good or bad, because they might be knocking you, good or bad!

I don't worry about what competition, CPA's or EA's, charge. I set my fee on what I want to make. I lose more clients to the local funeral homes than to my competition!

**Unregistered** · 10-13-2006, 09:23 AM

taxea

An EA takes a 4 day test

I pass the test years ago--the test is a 2 day test.

You owe us a huge apology for your ignorance!!!!

My apologies for your ignorance--for getting so work up about such simple statement.

We are required by the IRS to do continuing education in order to maintain our EA status.

How many CPA's do you know do their CPE hours in tax rather than accounting seminars?

These hours aren't monitor, you can take correspondence courses, or sleep in seminars and get you hours--taking CPE hours every year to comply with Federal license doesn’t mean you learning anything.

I have amended numerous returns prepared by CPA's who "prepare returns beyond their tax knowledge".

I have amended returns prepared by CPA's, EA's and Attorney's, knowledge is more important then titles.

**outwest** · 10-13-2006, 09:27 AM

Excellent response..

exactly my attitude.

Doug

**OldJack** · 10-13-2006, 09:43 AM