Discussion:CTP designation - what's the deal?

And yet I don't know anyone who has it. Is this worthwhile? If it is, I would rather have a privately managed designation than subject myself to further control and scrutiny of the Supreme Soviet in DC.

already posessing your CPA designation, experience and continuing education would mean more than an additional designation

I would guess it's a couple of shady characters who've drummed up some idea to hustle some greenhorns, and they spent the money for a flashy website to dupe the unwary.

People's Income Tax runs The Income Tax School, which is their version of the H&R Block course. I suspect that the materials used in the CTP program are extremely close to that which you could get through The Income Tax School (including their advanced classes) for a fraction of the cost.

Ahhhh, marketing!

"As a CTP® you will have the tax knowledge and experience to prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam if you wish to add the coveted EA credential to your professional designation as a CTP®." What does that even mean?

22. What makes your course different from your competitors?

While many tax courses available focus mostly on theory, our courses are written and taught by veteran tax professionals that work year-round preparing taxes for the general public with Peoples Income Tax, Inc. Because our courses are written by tax professionals working in the tax industry every day, the material incorporates many real-life examples and truly enables the student to prepare taxes for the general public.

"You will be awarded a CTP® Certificate

Upon completion, you will be awarded a certificate and the designation of Chartered Tax Professional — CTP®. Acceptable experience completed prior to enrolling in the CTP® program by tax preparers who have tested out of the first two courses will satisfy the experience requirement. Peoples Income Tax School trading as The Income Tax School is certified to operate as a private career school by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

After completing this comprehensive certificate program, you will be well prepared to handle almost any individual and small business income tax situation you encounter. You will also be ready to take the next step in your career as a tax professional by preparing for and taking the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam. The EA designation is the most significant credential in the income tax preparation industry; even more relevant than the CPA designation."

For someone already possessing the CPA or EA designation, just taking good quality CPE (in excess of the minimum annual standards, and in various topics including representation, estates and trusts, corporations and partnerships and advanced individual topics) should serve you well. Most of us know which areas we are weak in and therefore which areas we should bone-up on our CPE. Heck, just reading a day or two of TaxAlmanac's discussion threads will point out which areas you should bone-up on. If you can't answer the question, you're not confident in that area.