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Registration Deadline is May 30 for ACAT Tax and Accounting Credentialing Exams

ABA and ATP credential holders are exempt from the IRS Annual Filing Season Program course and exam requirements and do not have to take an Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course or test to earn a Record of Completion.

May 30 is the registration deadline for the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation® (ACAT) summer exams to obtain ACAT Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA), Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) and Accredited Retirement Advisor (ARA) credentials. The summer exam testing window is June 1-July 15, 2018.

ABA and ATP credential holders are exempt from the IRS Annual Filing Season Program course and exam requirements and do not have to take an Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course or test to earn a Record of Completion.

ACAT credentials provide evidence to clients and other colleagues that designated accounting and tax professionals have achieved a high level of knowledge and skills and abilities needed to effectively serve their clients. According to the NSA Income & Fees Survey Report, ACAT credential holders’ collect fees higher than unlicensed preparers.

Earning the ABA Credential

To become an ABA, candidates must pass the Comprehensive Examination for Accreditation in Accountancy and have three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. In Minnesota and Iowa, achieving the ABA designation meets state regulatory requirements to practice public accountancy. The Comprehensive Examination for Accreditation in Accountancy is a two-part 200-question exam that tests the technical proficiency of candidates in financial accounting, financial reporting, financial statement preparation, taxation, business consulting services, business law and ethics.

Earning the ATP Credential

The ATP is a leading national credential for tax practitioners who have a thorough knowledge of the existing tax code and the preparation of individual tax returns with an expertise in comprehensive 1040 issues including supporting schedules, self-employed returns and ethics. To become an Accredited Tax Preparer, candidates must pass the 100-question ATP exam.

Earning the ATA Credential

The ATA is a premier national tax credential for practitioners who handle sophisticated tax planning issues, including planning for owners of closely held businesses, planning for the highly compensated, choosing qualified retirement plans and performing estate tax planning. Their expertise covers tax returns for individuals, business entities, fiduciaries, trusts and estates, as well as tax planning, tax consulting and ethics. To earn the ATA credential, candidates must pass the 100-question ATA examination and have three years of experience in tax preparation, compliance, tax planning and consulting, of which 40 percent must be in tax planning and consulting. 

Earning the ARA Credential

The ARA credential recognizes professionals who have a thorough knowledge of topics relevant to retirement planning and special issues of senior citizens including tax planning and tax preparation for decedents, estates, and trusts; and applying knowledge and skills in real-life situations when serving aging clients. To earn the ARA credential, candidates must pass the 100 multiple-choice question exam.

The ACAT exams can be taken at Castle Test Centers across the United States. For testing details, exam fees and to register, visit www.acatcredentials.org/examdetails. For more information about ACAT, visit www.acatcredentials.org or call 888-289-7763. Full Press release attached.