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You Don’t Have to Take an Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course and Exam Each Year

Earn Prestigious Credentials You Can Use Every Year & Stand Out From the Crowd

Registration for ACAT’s Tax & Accounting Credentials June Exams is Now Open

Registration is now open for the fall 2015 ACAT Tax and Accounting Accreditation Exams, held between November 1^st and 30^th, nationwide.  

Accountants, tax preparers, and students, seeking to earn the Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) and Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) credentials can take the exams and earn these credentials in time for the 2016 tax season.

These credentials are more important than ever. ATP and ABA credential holders automatically qualify for the IRS Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion and exempt the certified professional from the Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course and exam that are part of the new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) voluntary Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP).

Also, beginning January 1, 2016, rules about who may represent clients before the IRS will change. ATPs and ABAs, who are AFSP Record of Completion Holders, will now have limited representation rights, meaning they can represent clients whose returns they prepared and signed before examination, customer service representatives, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

ACAT credentials show clients that accounting and tax professionals have achieved a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively serve their needs.

The Comprehensive Examination for Accreditation in Accountancy (ABA), the Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) exam and the Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) exam can be taken November 1-30, 2015, at PSI test sites across the United States.

The ABA exam is a high-level credential that tests the technical proficiency of accounting and tax professionals in financial accounting, financial reporting, financial statement preparation, taxation, business consulting services, business law and ethics. The test emphasizes a practical approach to public accounting.

The exam is divided into two parts: Practice 1, and Practice 2. Practice 1 covers financial accounting, financial statement preparation, presentation and reporting. Practice 2 covers taxation, business law, business accounting and ethics.

The ABA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an independent resource recognized as the authority on accreditation standards for professional certification organizations and programs. Achieving the ABA designation DE, IA, and MN meets state regulatory requirements to practice public accountancy.

The ATA exam tests for sophisticated tax planning issues, including planning for owners of closely held businesses, tax planning for the highly compensated, choosing qualified retirement plans, and performing estate tax planning.

The ATA is a leading national credential for tax practitioners who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the existing tax code, the preparation of tax returns with an expertise in comprehensive 1040 issues including supporting schedules, self-employed returns, and ethics.

ABA, ATA, and ATP candidates must pass the exams, and meet experience requirements, to earn the credentials. A blueprint for each exam with more information on topic areas is available at www.acatcredentials.org.

The exam fee for both Practice 1 and Practice 2 of the ABA exam is $285 or $200 for either part, plus a $50 registration fee. The ATA and ATP exam fees are $200 plus a $50 registration fee.

Click on the links below to test your knowledge with ACAT exam quizzes. 

Deductions for AGI

Ethics & Professional Conduct

Income Tax Credits

Itemized Deductions

Corporate Taxation

Worksheet Preparation

For more information about ACAT credentials go to 

or call 888-289-7763.