Bruh, I have told you about this misinformation. the cpa exam is 4 test btw
Whatever you're trying to do will not make you more knowledgeable about taxes than a cpa
For 1, a cpa can work as a tax advisor at a public firm where they will be doing taxes for Fortune 500 companies, hedge funds and individual taxes for the very rich.
Where would you get comparable experience from?
Only thing u right about is the 4 parts to the CPA exam. I meant to say 4. Ok so look up what an enrolled agent is, what they do, and what you have to do to become one and maintain it, then come talk to me.
Let's say both of us started out at the same time. U pursued your CPA and I went for the enrolled agent, certified bookkeeper and quick books pro advisor designations. Bye the tile you finished your freshman year in college I will have been finished and making money doing taxes and freelance bookkeeping. By the time you start your senior year, hopefully you're interning while already 2 years in the game. By the time you're starting grad school I already have my own book of business and regular clients during the tax season. While you're studying for exams I'm making money.
By the time you get your cpa I will have already started my own practice breh, and fukk it if I needed to I could just partner with a CPA if I needed to to handle audits and shyt.
Why would I want to be 10's of thousands of dollars in debt before I even start working when I can do it for cheaper and in less time?
You use to be able to take the bar exam without a law degree, now you can't. Now you have to go in debt for close to 100k just to be a lawyer.
Enrolled Agents have the advantage. They are not restricted by state laws, they have the crediblility of being federally licensed with the department of treasury and most of all they can compete with CPA's for clients. EA's are cheaper, everything else depends on your hustle and your grind.
And I'm not trying to work for a firm. Taxes and bookkeeping is a profession one can easlily freelance if that person is committed to perfecting their skills.