GAITHERSBURG, MD -- December 1, 2003

Larry D. Giles, EA of Chapel Hill, North Carolina  has completed the three levels of study in taxpayer representation at the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI) and as a graduate, is recognized as a Fellow of NTPI.  Mr. Giles completed his study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Since becoming a  Fellow in 1993,  Mr. Giles has completed a term  as Chairman of the Board of the Graduate Fellows Assocation of the National Tax Practice Institute.

The National Tax Practice Institute is the nation's premier tax representation training program and is sponsored by the National Association of Enrolled Agents. NTPI's mission is to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills needed to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. It is open only to U.S. Treasury Circular 230 practitioners -- Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, and attorneys.

Taught in three levels over three years, NTPI training is led by the finest experts in the field of taxpayer representation. It is the only program in the country where taxpayer representatives gather to enhance their representation skills. Topics covered include contemporary representation practice issues and ethical considerations of representation practice.

Established in 1884 by legislation signed into law by President Chester Arthur, Enrolled Agents are private tax practitioners who are licensed by the federal government to practice before all administrative levels of the IRS. This includes all representation matters relating to clients' rights, privileges and liabilities under laws or regulations administered by the Internal Revenue Service. They are required to abide by the provisions of U.S. Treasury Department Circular 230 in their practice and, if found in violation, may be suspended or disbarred.

Today, Enrolled Agents advise, represent and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any entities with tax-reporting requirements. Each year they work with more than 5 million individual and small business taxpayers.

Enrolled Agents receive their designation in one of two ways:

1. By successful completion of a rigorous two-day examination administered by the Internal Revenue Service and a comprehensive background check, also conducted by the IRS, like Mr. Giles, or
   
2. Through five years of continuous employment with the IRS where the individual was regularly engaged in applying and interpreting the Internal Revenue Code and regulations.