Enrollment application

[Erica]

I am probably overlooking something obvious, but I can't find where to request an application for enrollment. I looked in the SOA & Joint Board Education Catelogs. Can anyone help me?

[monkey grass]

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5434.pdf

[Emily]

http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/actuaries/article/0,,id=97441,00.html

[Miss Congeniality]

Does anyone know how long does it take them to approve you? Do they have to have a meeting for that? If you know any details I’d appreciate it.

[Sandman]

I sent in my application at the end of January and received my approval in mid-April. I think that's a pretty typical turn around.

[paranoid]

The letter that they sent me with confirmation that they received my application said 4 months. It's only been 3, but I haven't heard anything yet.

[red]

Have you received a letter back from them saying they had gotten your application? If not, you need to follow up with them. There was someone in my office who had to re-file her application because they had lost it.

[Wigmeister General]

Have you received a letter back from them saying they had gotten your application? If not, you need to follow up with them. There was someone in my office who had to re-file her application because they had lost it.

Oh now, I feel comfortable knowing they "lost" her application.

[Miss Congeniality]

Thanks for all your help.

Now that I’ve actually pasted EA2-b I am trying to put application together.

I am hoping someone can help me with another question. What should I put into exam section if I have a waiver for EA-1 (via SOA c1 & 2)? Should I mention somewhere that I am attaching the letter saying that they have granted the waiver?

[Emily]

Thanks for all your help.

Now that I’ve actually pasted EA2-b I am trying to put application together.

I am hoping someone can help me with another question. What should I put into exam section if I have a waiver for EA-1 (via SOA c1 & 2)? Should I mention somewhere that I am attaching the letter saying that they have granted the waiver?
For line 11 (How do you satisfy section 901.13(c)) check "Organization basic examinations" and list them in line 13. (It's SOA 2 and 3, by the way)

[Traci]

Mailed my application today -- (actually my 5-year-old daughter mailed it for me - which I thought was appropriate)

OH! What a feeling!! :guitarwo:

Should make a nice Christmas present!

[slam]

I sent mine in last week. Since I cannibalized someone else's description of what I do at work, the whole thing took me less than an hour. I believe that they approve applications only twice a year. The next one is in September or October.

[Traci]

I wrote my own descriptions -- well, I wrote one for what I do now - then copied it to my former jobs and edited where necessary.

I wasn't sure how much info to put down -- I tend to be brief, but it said "IN DETAIL".

Mine still seemed pretty short.

[Il duce]

I I believe that they approve applications only twice a year. The next one is in September or October.

I'm not sure if they only do this twice a year or not. I passed the examination requirements in November 02. I got my actually passing score in January but did'nt get around to mailing in my application until late February. I received my enrollment in June. A month after my friends/coworkers got theirs. The date on my enrollment is late May, where I think the other Nov 02 "graduates" had a date of April.

So maybe its monthly? I don't know.

[slam]

Norman: Your information does suggest a monthly process. I was told about the twice a year process by our chief retirement actuary who suggested to me that I get my application in as quickly as possible to avoid a six month delay. I don't know for sure the true story, but since the application isn't that hard to fill out, I filed as quickly as possible. My other incentive was that I won't receive my EA bonus until I receive my EA #.

[kevinz]

I am in the process of filling out form 5434 and I'm unsure about how to handle the SOA transition stuff in line 13. I'm also unsure about how to handle having 2A and 2B satisify the "Joint Board pension examination" criteria. I know that Gloria Walker is the person to contact but she's out of the office for a week.

I have credit for course 2 via 110 & 140. Do I list Course 2 (with transition date) in line 13 or do I list 110 and 140?

Having satisfied line 12 with 2A & 2B, do I just check the Joint Board Pension examination and write 2003 or do I list 2A & 2B in line 13?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Kevin

P.S. I have already received my EA-1 Waiver.

[Emily]

Line 13 looks like it is just for listing exams other than EA exams. I would list the exams I actually passed, and when I passed them. Then they could verify it directly. You probably shouldn't say you "passed" an exam you never took.

[OneOverZero]

Has anyone gotten a confirmation that their application for enrollment was received? According to FedEx, my application arrived July 23, but now a month later I haven't gotten a confirmation from the IRS. Any idea how long that step usually takes?

[Traci]

I would list the exams I actually passed, and when I passed them. Then they could verify it directly.

Apparently you should also include each enrollment exam and when it was passed as well.

I thought this was covered in questions 11 and 12 - so I didn't complete line 13. I got a call from Gloria Walker asking for the information. :oops:

Which answers OneOverZero's question -- they are currently processing my app. which I mailed at the end of last month. But had I not made that mistake, I would not know that.

[slam]

OneOverZero: I sent my application out July 21st and received a confirmation which was sent out on July 29th.

Traci: That's good news that they actually look at the application for omissions like that. I had a small worry that if I did something mechanically wrong in filling out the application it wouldn't surface until the actual approval process. Then they would just defer my application for 6 months.

[Bob the Builder]

I sent my application on July 25th and received a confirmation letter dated August 4th.

Yeah, it's good to know that they look at the application for omissions.

[paranoid]

Approval for mine took right about 4 months. I submitted my information in April and received a response in early August.

[Traci]

I just realized - I DID receive a confirmation letter - it came to our office, and since I work from home I didn't see it right away.

I'm guessing late Nov./early Dec. we should all hear something.

[anywho]

Have any of you received your EA numbers yet? I was a little late and didn't send in my application until the first week in September, but my boss confirmed that he sent in his qualification of my experience a while ago. If you did receive confirmation of your EA, when did you get it and when did you send in your app?

[slam]

I sent my original application in July 21st. I received a letter dated September 16th which contained my EA number. There was a meeting to approve applications a few days before that. The reason that I know is that I talked to Gloria Walker because my sponsor hadn't filled out his form yet and I wanted to know the timing. You might have just missed this meeting and might have to wait until the next one (whenever it happens to be).

[Traci]

I mailed mine at the end of July -- but have not received numbers yet either.

Don't worry -- they're coming! :D

[Traci]

I just got a call this morning from the IRS -- was told that my application had been approved and that a letter was on its way out today.


I know it was just a formality -- but still -- :party:

[anywho]

I got the same phone call! It's just nice to know for sure. I even asked her to tell me my EA number. That just made it seem all the more real!

[Traci]

I even asked her to tell me my EA number

I thought of asking that -- but didn't -- decided to be patient and see them for myself. :)

[WWSituation]

slightly off topic question -

is there a place you can look up somebody's enrollment number? Or at least confirm their enrollment?

[Traci]

A good question though.

I have no idea.

It would also be interesting to have available some statistics about erollment numbers -- such as how many schedule B's have been signed and when the last one was. I can think of a few occassions when this would be good info to have on a fellow EA.

[asa23]

For those that got the call from the IRS regarding their enrollment, has anyone actually received the information in the mail?

[anywho]

I just got my letter today. It says that the certificate will be sent separately, but the letter includes the enrollment number and date of enrollment.

[OneOverZero]

I called them and had them fax me my letter when I got the call last Monday. I still haven't gotten the letter or the certificate in the mail, but I do have my number.

It's so good to be done with the whole EA thing. See you all at the next EA meeting.

[Dora-the-Explorer]

:P

Any quesses on when EA applications will be approved and numbers sent out? I sent my app on the 27th of Jan. What is the average weight time?

[Dora-the-Explorer]

:oops: :oops: :oops:

I mean wait time.

[OneOverZero]

:P

Any quesses on when EA applications will be approved and numbers sent out? I sent my app on the 27th of Jan. What is the average weight time?

The first thing you'll get is a letter saying that they got your application, and that it will take about 4 months to process.

I sent my application July 20-somethingth, right after receiving the passing score for my exam in May. At the end of November, I received notification that I was approved, along with my number. The certificates for my cycle will be along in March or April. I don't think the certificates are necessary, but the fact that it is almost a year between sitting your last exam and getting the certificate kind of makes you wonder.

Just sit tight, there's nothing you can do. Make sure your boss is on the lookout for their letter asking for verification of your experience, and responds. Even that is probably a month or two away, though.

[no]

Let me ask you expert a few dumb questions?

What is the registration number?
You need that to sign valuation related to ERISA?
Once you get your number you could call yourself EA?
How often do you (an EA) have to attend Continuing education seminars?
EA exams are given by ASPA?
Continuing education seminars are sponsored by CCA?

Did I get my facts right?

Thank you!

[Dora-the-Explorer]

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I just got my number!

mailed app on 1/27/04

[Emily]

You need that to sign valuation related to ERISA?
You need it to sign a Schedule B of the 5500, which contains results from the valuation.
Once you get your number you could call yourself EA?
Upon enrollment you are given an enrollment number. Once you are enrolled you may call yourself an enrolled actuary.
EA exams are given by ASPA?
The Joint Board writes them and determines the pass mark, but the SOA administers them.
Continuing education seminars are sponsored by CCA?
There are many ways to get CE credits. The annual EA meeting is jointly sponsored by the CCA and the AAA.

[LI Jet]

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I just got my number!

mailed app on 1/27/04

Is this an April fools joke? I am still awaiting my number/approval and I sent in my application on 1/26/04.

[Emily]

I got my letter the day after Dora. Still no certificate. Has anyone gotten that yet?

[Traci]

I got mine 2-3 weeks after the letter and all -- might have even been 4, I don't remember for sure.

[Dora-the-Explorer]

I got my certificate today. Gotta say, not as fancy as they used to be.

[Emily]

WTF? Why's it so small? Oh well.

[Lane Meyers]

No offense ladies, but I don't think you are going to find too many people feeling sorry for you because the certificate is smaller than it used to be. Especially those of us studying for 2B. Of course, I'm hoping this time next year I'll be able to complain about my certificate being too small.

[Traci]

I thought mine was just beautiful! :D

[Emily]

I have to keep reminding myself, size doesn't matter. If I say it enough I might start to believe it.

Now about the certificate, it doesn't look all that different from the older ones. The "Joint Board" lettering used to be kind of 3-D, but I wouldn't call it fancy. It just needs a nice frame with a mat. It's only 8x10.5 instead of 8.5x11, so a standard mat might not cover it.

Now for those of you studying for 2B, quit reading threads about enrollment applications and get back to studying.