TECEP Federal Income Taxation

[eyrobinson]

Got word today I passed! So happy! Now I don't have to take that course in my master's degree program. Saving a whopping $1773! I sweated for a whole month for my results to show up on TESC's web site.

The exam was pretty straightforward. I did not study and just brought Prentice Hall's Federal Taxation 2013 Individuals book with me to the exam and a calculator. The exam was definitely 3 hours long. I thought I wouldn't have enough time to finish, but I finished with 19 minutes to spare (not counting a bathroom break and a stretching break). I brought a Starbuck's mocha before the exam to keep me alert and cut down on my anxiety and I was good to go (I also hate coffee! Yuck!).

The study guide TESC gave was straight on with the number of questions involved and types of questions asked. I would say there is no reason to study because you have no idea what is on the test especially when it comes to the word problems. There is just too much information to consume. That is why it's called Tax Research! The test is nothing but researching the problem in the book and being able to comprehend and apply the tax principles. All in all the test was not difficult in my opinion, just time consuming, and tedious. Read, reread, and read again to make sure you comprehend the question and the possible answers. Make sure you are looking at the right tax principles in order to apply them to the questions.

I can say one thing though...I think I might love a career in tax. I love set rules and procedures along with research!

[sanantone]

Then you should read my thread on becoming an enrolled agent.
http://www.degreeforum.net/off-topic/208...egree.html

[eyrobinson]

Naw going all the way to CPA! Lol! I hope to be done with all my CPA requirements by March.

[corpsole2]

I'm a registered tax preparer, and like you, and I am looking at CPA licensing. What school are you doing? Do you need an M.S. in Accounting for CPA?

[eyrobinson]

I'm going to Southern New Hampshire University. I liked their program, they are very supportive, they have 12 week terms unlike most of the colleges I looked at, and they don't require the GMAT which saves $150. I knew someone who graduated from there and had nothing but good things to say about them. I also lived pretty close to them at one point and wanted a brick and mortar campus for my master's.

No, a Master's is not needed for a CPA (but check your state's requirements). I'm in California, and you just need 24 accounting credits, 24 business credits, and an ethics course. You can take those courses at your local community college usually, but I wanted a master's so to each it's own.