You already know the long, competitive road you must travel to get there. Not only do you have to work for a firm for two years, you still have to pass the exam in order to have any chance at good income and a future.

What's your option?
No one probably ever told you about Enrolled Agents. When I was in college, I'd never even heard the term. In fact, it wasn't until after I completed my master's degree that I ever heard of this profession.

So, I'm going to tell you about the best kept secret in accounting -- the Enrolled Agent. EAs are very special tax professionals. We get our license from the U.S. Treasury Department. So, unlike CPAs, we can practice nationally, without re-certifying or re-testing state-by-state. Like CPAs and attorneys, we are governed by U.S. Treasury Department Circular 230, the ethical bible of tax representation.

Recently, through the efforts of Enrolled Agents throughout the country, we obtained permission for accountants to be able to keep their EA status when they became CPAs. Due to the national representation capability, many CPAs are becoming EAs. (In fact, after a seminar I just held, I got a 'thank you' from someone at KPMG saying that she was inspired to take the EA exam this fall.)

What do EAs do?
We prepare and sign tax returns, represent the client at tax audits, intercede for our clients on collections issues, set up installment agreements and offers in compromise. In fact, EAs may take the Tax Court exam and represent taxpayers before the court, without having gone to law school or sitting for the Bar Exam. Although, I will admit, I know some Enrolled Agents whose reputations are so strong that some Tax Court judges will allow them to represent clients even though they have not taken the Exam. In short, in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, we are the nation's tax specialists.

How can you become an EA?
It's much less work than getting your CPA. And you can do it while you're still in school. You're already good at taking exams, right?

All you have to is pass a really intense, two-day exam offered each fall by the IRS. No sweat. Pass the test and you're certified. No degree necessary. Even college students can become Enrolled Agents.

First file an application to take the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). Select Form 2587 from the forms at www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/forms.html.

Oh, the exam? Actually, it's not a piece of cake. There are four parts, over two days. They cover: individuals, sole proprietorships and partnerships, corporations, fiduciaries, estate and gift tax and trust ethics, record-keeping, procedures, appeal procedures, and exempt organizations.

It is offered only once each year. This is the time to get the application, order the materials in the booklet and start studying.

Study tools
Gleim Publishing They used to offer a really good book with tax questions and explanations of the answers from all the exams that covered taxes (CPA, Bar, EA, etc.) Now, though, they have come out with a set of books that are focused just on the EA exam. Good tools. Good value.

Jim Bank's FasTax study disk Jim put together an excellent study tool in his disk. It covers about 5 years worth of exams, with a testing feature to help you gauge your progress.

Now do you understand why the CPA community doesn't want you to know about this career option? If you pass the exam, you'll be able to start earning a decent living while you're still in college. In fact, by the time you graduate, you could have a sizable tax practice of your own. Then, you'll be in a better bargaining position come recruiting time. In fact, you may decide to skip that route altogether - and become your town's expert in taxation.

(Note, some of my best friends are CPAs)

EVA ROSENBERG, MBA, EA, known as the TaxMama, has an extensive portfolio of books and articles about taxes, networking and promotion. Her tax and business experience spans 25 years. She writes a free weekly newsletter for her tax clients and other folks interested in reducing their tax burden. Ask TaxMama.