In 2024, the IRS collected $4.92 trillion in tax revenue. Enrolled agents have the opportunity to earn their own slice of that impressive pie, with the top 10% of earners making six-figure salaries and beyond.
Want to give it a go? Then you already know your next step is to pass the EA exam and nab the best prep course for your needs to get the job done. But with so many options, which do you pick?
I’ve personally explored both Gleim and Fast Forward Academy. In this guide, I’ll break down their features, strengths, and drawbacks so you can make an informed choice based on your learning style and goals.
Gleim and Fast Forward Academy EA Course Comparisons
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 to $799 | $549 to $699 |
| Discounts | Save $349 | No Discounts |
| Access | 12 Months to Unlimited Access | Access and Updates Until You Pass |
| Guarantees | Money-Back Guarantee (Premium Only) | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Video Lectures | 30+ Hours | 15+ Hours |
| Practice Questions | 3,500+ MCQs | 3,000+ MCQs |
| Support | Email, Phone, Chat, Personal Coaching, Accounting Experts | Phone, Online Community,Instructor Support |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now |
Choosing Between Gleim vs. Fast Forward Academy
- If you want the best question bank, Gleim’s 3,500+ practice questions stand out for depth and quality, perfect for mastering the EA exam.
- If expert help is a priority, Gleim’s personal coaching and unlimited Q&A with accounting professionals have you covered every step of the way.
- If video lectures keep you engaged, Gleim’s 30+ hours of content taught by top instructors make complex topics easier to understand.
- If you value thorough practice, Gleim’s six full-length mock exams and detailed performance tracking are unmatched for building confidence.
- If community motivates you, Fast Forward Academy’s active online forums and peer collaboration provide extra support during your studies.
- If flexibility matters, Fast Forward Academy’s unlimited access and updates promise ensures you’ll never lose access to materials, no matter how long it takes.
Gleim EA: Practice Makes Perfect
Gleim is an exam prep behemoth, serving exam candidates studying for the CPA, CMA, CIA, and, naturally, the EA exams. Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, Gleim has a lasting, reliable history of helping students succeed.
In fact, Gleim states that “More Enrolled Agents have passed with Gleim than any other review provider.” The National Association of Tax Professionals named Gleim their preferred provider, likely due, in part, to Gleim’s passion for practice. They’re known for not only having the highest-quality practice questions on the market but also the most extensive test banks. Throw in unlimited practice exams and up to six mock exams, and you’ll see why Gleim has left such an impact on the industry.
“I followed the Gleim recommended study guide pretty closely; I did the assessments blind, read the chapters, did the book questions, took the quizzes until satisfied, and then moved on. It worked wonders and is a great program!”
u/gagethesage
Gleim EA
Fast Forward Academy: Courses With Community
Fast Forward Academy isn’t as well-known, but that doesn’t mean they’re not well-liked. On their website, FFA asserts, “You deserve the highest quality instruction, the most advanced technology, and the absolute best support until you pass all three parts of the EA exam.”
They’re comparable to Surgent due to their focus on technology and efficiency, but where they really shine is in their online community. Students can interact with their peers and instructors to get their questions answered, find a sense of camaraderie, and get motivated to stay the course (literally) when study sessions get stale.
“I used FFA, and I passed 3/3 on the first try. Their quizzes at the end of each section have good explanations, and the majority of them have discussion (among students and faculties), which are very helpful.”
u/totoro-1988
Fast Forward Academy
Course Content and Structure
What You’re Getting with Gleim
Gleim Learning Materials: SmartAdapt™ course, digital and printed books, 30+ video hours, audio lectures, performance reports
Gleim Practice Materials: 3,500+ practice questions, unlimited practice exams, up to six mock exams, digital flashcards, final review mode
Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ technology is the epicenter of their EA Exam review courses. SmartAdapt™ is adaptive learning technology, a fancy way of saying that the program can monitor your progress and differentiate your stronger or weaker subjects, then offer dynamic recommendations to help you improve. It’s brilliant if you struggle to find the links between the questions you do poorly on. As a result, you can cut yourself loose from all of that tedious, wasteful guesswork and spend your time where it belongs: increasing your chances of passing.
What You’re Getting with Fast Forward Academy
FFA Learning Materials: eBook and print study guides, 15+ video hours
FFA Practice Materials: 3,000+ practice questions, unlimited practice exams, digital flashcards
With Fast Forward Academy EA Review, you’re not getting nearly as many materials, but the brand feels very forward-facing; I wouldn’t be surprised if getting fewer materials was a conscious decision made to reduce student overwhelm and keep your focus on the primary materials. However, getting half the number of video hours and 500 fewer practice questions may be detrimental for audio/visual and kinesthetic learners.
The Winner: Where FFA keeps it simple, Gleim goes above and beyond, overdelivering to provide an effective, enjoyable learning experience.
Audio and Video Lectures
What You’re Getting with Gleim
Gleim features over 30 hours of video content and corresponding audio lecture versions. Notably, University of Central Florida lecturer Nate Wadlinger teaches much of the content, infusing entertainment and humor in a subject that doesn’t always make for scintillating conversation. Further, his past students on Rate My Professors give him an average of 4.8 of 5 stars, offering feedback like this review:
“One of the best teachers I’ve had at UCF. You can tell he really loves what he does and cares about his students. […] Overall amazing guy and teacher. Wish I could take him again.”
What You’re Getting with Fast Forward Academy
Fast Forward Academy’s EA review video lectures offer a good chunk of material to study with, though you’re only getting 15 video hours compared to Gleim’s 30 hours. Nevertheless, the videos do their job, even if they lack the same engaging presentation as Gleim’s. Further, you’re not getting access to audio lectures. Fast Forward Academy is a solid EA course, but their audio and video lectures certainly aren’t the main selling point.
The Winner: With over 30 hours of entertaining, engaging, and enjoyable audio and video lectures, Gleim takes the crown over Fast Forward Academy.
Technology
What You’re Getting with Gleim
SmartAdapt™ is Gleim’s most notable technological tool. It just so happens to also be at the center of every Gleim EA prep package to help students study their weaknesses more than their strengths. This technology is embedded within multiple resources in the course, making for a comprehensive assessment of your abilities and then making recommendations for the best study materials to access next. As the cherry on top, Gleim features detailed performance reports that allow you to see how far you’ve come and how far you have left to go to pass your exams.
What You’re Getting with Fast Forward Academy
Like Gleim, Fast Forward Academy takes advantage of adaptive learning technology to help EA candidates study more efficiently. Also, like Gleim, FFA utilizes progress tracking and performance monitoring so you can get an idea of where you’re at in relation to points A and B.
The Winner: Both Gleim and FFA offer similar tech tools. As a result, I’m marking this section as a tie.
Pricing, Access, and Guarantees
What You’re Getting with Gleim
With a price range of $499 to $799, between 12 months and unlimited access periods, and a 100% money-back guarantee on the Premium EA Review package, Gleim offers a well-rounded package to inspire confidence in their customers. But to know the true value here, let’s compare.
What You’re Getting with Fast Forward Academy
Alternatively, FFA features courses priced between $549 and $699. One of the best features of FFA’s courses is a universal promise for access and updates until you pass your exams. Finally, though Fast Forward Academy doesn’t feature a 100% money-back guarantee if you fail your exam, they do offer 30 days of risk-free study, within which you can return the course for a full refund.
The Winner: Though Gleim’s 100% money-back guarantee is incredible, it’s only for the Premium review course. However, FFA guarantees access and updates until you pass, regardless of the package, giving them a win.
Student Support
What You’re Getting with Gleim
Gleim knows how to support their students. You can contact customer support through email, phone, and chat. More importantly, students can unlock personal coaching to help them get motivated and into an effective routine through their study journey. Even more, if you ever get stuck on a tricky topic during your study sessions, you get to ask tax and accounting professionals to help you out.
What You’re Getting with Fast Forward Academy
Fast Forward Academy offers email, phone, and chat support, just like their competitor. Uniquely, however, one of FFA’s best features is its online community, which features support from both your peers and instructors. Peer collaboration isn’t available for Gleim students; conversely, personal coaching isn’t available for Fast Forward Academy.
The Winner: Gleim’s access to both personal coaching and expert Q&A support gives them a giant advantage in the face-off against FFA.
EA Course Coupons
Gleim EA Discount Code
Save $349 on your Gleim EA Review course with our exclusive coupon code! Gleim’s comprehensive question bank, adaptive SmartAdapt™ technology, and expert-backed support make it the best choice for passing the EA exam. Start your enrolled agent exam preparation today!
Fast Forward Academy Discount Code
No Discounts off Fast Forward Academy EA Review with our exclusive code! With its interactive tools, customizable study plans, and user-friendly platform, Fast Forward Academy provides everything you need to succeed. Don’t wait—start studying smarter today!
Final Verdict
Fast Forward Academy provides unlimited access and updates until you pass, 3,000+ multiple-choice questions, adaptive technology, and a supportive student-instructor community, making it a good fit for those who prefer flexibility and peer collaboration.
Gleim, however, offers 3,500+ practice questions, 30+ hours of video and audio lectures, six full-length mock exams, and personal coaching with accounting professionals, providing a more structured and in-depth learning experience. For students who want extensive practice materials, expert guidance, and a more comprehensive approach, Gleim may offer an advantage.
Ultimately, both courses can help you pass the EA exam—it just comes down to what works best for you. Good luck!
FAQs
Becker, Gleim, Surgent, and Lambers’ EA review courses are some of the best on the market, but the best for you depends on your budget, goals, and learning style.
Yes, Fast Forward Academy is a solid choice with 3,000+ MCQs, unlimited practice exams, adaptive learning, and a supportive online community.
Absolutely, Gleim EA Review is known for its comprehensive resources, deep question bank, engaging instructors, and unmatched support features.
Part 2 (Businesses) is often considered the hardest due to its focus on complex business tax law, deductions, credits, and entity taxation.
Gleim is better for its larger question bank, in-depth study tools, and unlimited expert support, while Surgent is ideal for shorter study times.
