Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) Without An Accounting Background?!
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- čas přidán 23. 10. 2020
- In this video, Alexander Efros, MBA, EA, CPA, CFP® from Efros Financial discusses the best way to obtain the Enrolled Agent (EA) credential for those without an accounting background.
IMPORTANT: The information presented in this video is not tax advice, tax analysis, or legal advice, and it should not be construed as either of these. Consult with a qualified tax and/or legal adviser prior to acting on any of the information presented in this video.
Efros Financial is a Los Angeles-based CPA firm providing financial planning and tax preparation/resolution services.
Visit Efros Financial online -- we're here to help! www.efrosfinancial.com/
Questions? Please feel free to reach out at (323) 531-3500 or info@efrosfinancial.com.
I have an MBA with a specialty in accounting and I sat for the CPA a few times. I switched to studying for the EA, because I realized that I don't want to go through the process of a CPA and I can maximize the use of the EA better than the CPA in terms of taxes over auditing. Not knocking out the CPA, but the fact that I have to do 1 year practice, then recertification continuing education, and the long hours.... and I don't care for public accounting as much as I care about small businesses and individuals. I switched over. This is a great video.
Thank you for spotlighting Enrolled Agents! As a clueless Bachelor of Music who just passed the 3rd of 3 SEE exams, I can attest that getting your EA is 100% possible without an extensive accounting background. :) TaxMama's EA Review Course was GOLDEN for my studying this exam.
Congratulations on passing the exam, Beau! Thanks for watching and for your feedback! :D
Job prospects after passing?
@@jblanla first entry level role is most likely staff accountant at a small (10-40 person) accounting firm, or as a seasonal preparer with a 1-10 person tax firm.
Same here, no accounting experience prior to taking the exam. but I do suggest taking some accounting courses after passing the exam, it help a lot when you have to look at clients financial statements when preping 1120
@@hmantc712 was there any course you took to help you pass the test?
Thank you , very informative and hear words of encouragement! I am leaning in to learn more about EA and getting certified. You have given me some hope :)
Oh my gosh! You answered all my questions. I'm pursuing my EA - thank you!
Glad I could help!
Great video! Good analysis!
Thanks for this video! Watching your videos helped me pass part 1 of the EA exam. I would watch them at the end of a day of studying as a passive study "activity". I currently have one left to go - Part 2 Business! Probably will be using more of your videos to study for this one. Thank you!
Hello Diana,
Thank you for watching and for your kind words! With regard to Part 2, I found that working through the sample questions in the EA review book that I highlighted, identifying the ones that I got wrong, and revisiting all of those incorrect questions (because I was already well-versed in the questions that I answered correctly) really helped me strengthen the areas which needed improvement. With that said, I congratulate you on your progress so far and wish you all the best with Part 2. Please keep me posted! :D
Thank you!!
Hi, and thank you for the video. Can you help me wit the following questions please. I think the book is now three separate parts. Looking the Amazon link that sells a workbook, and two study guides. I am assuming I will need all of them, but I am going to get the workbook, read it, understand it, and try the exam, and then get the study guides one at a time. Also the cycle that it covers has already passed; May 1, 2022 - Feb 28th, 2023. I wonder if I am looking at an outdated book.
Also, If I pass the individuals part, can I prepare taxes for the individuals?
Helpful tips for someone who wants to be an EA. Nice video!
Thanks, Tyler! I appreciate your feedback! :D
Great Video Alex! For those of us without an accounting background, what specific videos and or accounting concepts would you recommend watching / learning prior to diving into the business portion of the EA exam prep? Thanks!
I also am curious about this
not sure if annyone asl, but where did you purchased it the book. I found it on amazon just want to make sure its the correct one. thank you
I felt comfortable after rifling through part one and the question ls. I bought another book for questions and its completely stumped me. What should i do?
i'll be completing my MBA-Finance in 2023, and will be appearing for EA(SEE) exams simultaneously
will that be enough for variety or should i go for CPA too ?
I was looking to get the PassKey book you mentioned, however on Amazon they have several different ones and they mention it's for those that will take the test from certains, like July 2023 to Feb 2024. What's the difference in those books and let's say the COMPLETE book from 2016-2017? Should I be getting the most up to date book - basing it on the timeframe that I'm going to be taking the test? I'm a little confused on the books. Thanks.
tip; if you need basic accounting you can't beat starting with Color Accounting, look it up.
How much does it cost for the EA exams? Why did you choose to go solo & not join a online group for training? Can you represent yourself as an EA?
Where can I get the conplete version of this book?
30 days?! Challenge accepted!
Thanks very much for helping me. How do I access the Prometric website to view the required topics or give me a link so that I study or watch CZcams videos on those topics
Hello Eric,
You're welcome! You may learn more about the IRS Special Enrollment Exam (SEE) here: www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/irs
Did you go to college , or for a person that didn’t go to college Can i still be successful with out the accounting back ground
I passed enrolled agent examination. Now working in KPMG since 3 years can i go to abroad with this experience??? I am from India
I became an RN two years ago, great timing right? Anyways, I've quit my nursing job for good and I'm going for my EA. I have been studying for two weeks for about 4 hours a day with Fast Forward Academy and it still feels like a foreign language. Any advice on where to get some fundamentals?
Hey! I'm a RN too looking to become an EA. I know its been a while since you've commented, but how is studying going? Have you taken the exams yet?
Can you represent a lawsuit in a tax court?
What do you think about volunteering for VITA as a way of starting ones resume in tax? Currently studying for the EA exam and think it’d be fun to help ppl with their 1040s 😊
VITA is great and practical use of using the tax knowledge you gain from your studies.
VITA was a great experience for me in college. I was able to get a taste of filing taxes. Only draw back is that all returns are fairly simple individual returns
any good courses to pass your EA, don't have time to read books.
Can a non resident be an EA?
Questions about PassKey textbook: Can I purchase a previous version of the textbook to study for the exams in May 2023?
I was wondering this too ...did you ever purchased any
Hello I am a canadian accountant. I am thinking of doing the EA programme. Will I be able to get the PTIN in light of the fact that I am not required to file a USA tax return?
Did u find out
I just found your channel because I googled "how to understand MACRS for idiots" and I just started clicking through some of your videos... I am where you described of "don't know how I'm gonna make it out of this tax class I'm in" but am hoping to reach the stage of trying to marry it all together ..LOL someone pray for me...
I am thinking of becoming an EA and following a CPA. Do you think it is a sound path to do considering that I have little tax and no public accounting experience? I am at the early stage of my accounting career.
Joanna, it will depend on what your current situation is and what you want your career to be like. EA is an affordable and doable credential, it will solidify your tax knowledge and open doors. On the other hand, CPA is highly coveted and more rounded accouting credential since it includes tax knowledge as well. I would say if you have the 150 credits and are working under a CPA go for your CPA first. If that is not the case, you can get your EA, the go to work for a CPA firm and get your hours there in order to qualify for the license. You can't go wrong. Just keep in mind that the CPA is harder to pass, you'll be spending a lot of time studying. The EA you can pass in 6 months.
go for it!
The best way it was explained to me is if you want to be busy and work 40-50 hours year round, get your cpa. If you want to be busy 40-70 hours 6 months of the year and 20-30 hours the rest of the year, become an EA. I became an EA first, even though I qualify to sit for the CPA, but I’m not sure I want the CPA unless I want to work in a full service accounting firm.
Great msg sir, can we get free online training website Vedio to learn can you help this. Thanks 👍🙏
Can I practice from India? What is the cost I have to bear for tax software? Kindly reply.
You don’t have to buy software. The test is a law based test. Although u don’t need accounting background, you still need accounting background if u want to move further in tax. The cost of CPE to keep license is no joke, unless your company pays for CPE, keeping license is expensive.
Why do you want to do taxes here if you live in India? Stay with What you can do there
Do I need an accounting degree if I'm studying to become an ea?
no
So EA doenst need a degree nessecarily?
No, you do not need a degree
Is the exam multiple choice or are they written ?
Hey Erika,
The Enrolled Agent (EA) exam is all multiple choice. :)
It only took 30 days to complete all 3 exams???
Yes, that is correct. But please keep in mind that I was already a CPA when I took the EA exam which provided a solid foundation in terms of the applicable accounting concepts.
@@EfrosFinancial got it! Thank you for the response!
Hi dear , i am from india . Can you help to find books free of enrolled agent please