Tax Practitioner Earns Elite Designation Contact: Gigi Thompson Jarvis 202.822.6232, x 119 gjarvis@naea.org For Immediate Release Tax Practitioner Earn Elite Designation Fellows Program Admits Francis J. Cellini EA, ABA, ATA, ATP Washington, DC. – (August 18, 2010) The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) announced today that Francis J. Cellini EA, earned the prestigious Fellow designation from the National Tax Practice Institute® (NTPI™), held at the 2010 NAEA National Conference in Las Vegas. This accomplishment is a clear demonstration that each Fellow is dedicated to remaining on the cutting edge in the ever-changing professional specialty area of representation of taxpayers before the IRS and signifies a true commitment to protecting the rights of their clients. Eligibility to participate in this challenging educational program is limited to enrolled agents, certified public accountants and tax attorneys who are currently licensed. Fellows of NTPI complete a demanding three-year curriculum which uniquely prepares them to effectively represent their clients before all administrative levels of the IRS. Having successfully completed coursework covering the nuances of examinations, audits, collections and appeals, and having studied best practices and role-playing, Fellows know the entire process from both the client and IRS perspectives. While earning the EA license denotes competence and the right to represent taxpayers, Fellows have made the commitment to attain a higher level of knowledge and excellence that distinguishes them in their field. The program, developed to prepare licensed representatives to protect their clients' rights, incorporates the most recent information about IRS laws and procedures critical to representation, as well as best practices and a practical hand's on approach. Enrolled agents (EAs) are a diverse group of independent, federally-licensed tax practitioners who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in taxation and are the only taxpayer representatives licensed to practice by the federal government. EAs advise and represent taxpayers before the IRS, including taxpayers who are being examined, are unable to pay or are trying to avoid or recover penalties. EAs also prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any other entities with tax-reporting requirements. Unlike tax attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxation, all EAs specialize in taxation and are required by the federal government to maintain their professional skills with continuing professional education and ethics courses. About NAEA The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is a professional society whose members are dedicated to honest, intelligent and ethical representation of the financial position of taxpayers before the IRS. Its efforts are supported nationwide through a network of affiliated state and local chapters. Members of NAEA must fulfill continuing professional education requirements that exceed the IRS' requirements. NAEA membership also entails stringent adherence to a Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as compliance with the Treasury Department's Circular 230 regulations. NAEA members are experienced, well-trained tax professionals who effectively represent their clients and work to ensure the tax code is fairly applied and reasonably enforced.