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Currently, the only nationally recognized accounting credential for accountants other than the CPA designation is the Accreditation in Accountancy designation (Accredited Business Accountant). Since 1973, the organization date of the Accreditation Council, thousands of individuals have obtained accreditation by examination. Likewise, many more tax professionals have earned the Accredited Tax Advisor and/or the Accredited Tax Preparer designation either through coursework and examination or during a limited "grandfathering" process for those professionals who have already had their tax education and skills tested.
The problem or confusion seems to be in the correct use of these important credentials. One of the most common mistakes in the usage is "I'm a member of ACAT" or "I'm accredited in taxation." These statements are misleading and incorrect. The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) is not a membership organization. Rather, it is an independent testing, accrediting, and monitoring organization. Its educational mission is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors consisting of two fulltime accounting professors, a President and CEO of an educational institution, two attorneys specializing in the field of...