If you’re considering becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA), get to know the benefits of an EA credential. Enrolled Agents enjoy a wider variety of career opportunities that aren’t available to other tax professionals.
Check out these top 5 reasons to earn your EA credential:
- You can offer more services.
- You have more career opportunities.
- You earn a higher income.
- You gain trust, reputation, and prestige.
- The EA credential is relatively accessible.
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1. You can offer more services.
When you become an Enrolled Agent, you’re authorized by the IRS to represent any customer on any tax matter before the agency. Not only this, but in order to pass the EA Exam, you must demonstrate detailed expertise on all tax topics.
This means that earning your EA credential empowers you with both the legal authority and the specialized knowledge to go way beyond just tax preparation. You can take on more complex cases and high-profile clients—filing taxes, auditing tax processes, ensuring compliance, representing clients before the IRS, and in general being your clients’ all-in-one resource for any tax services they need.
Enrolled Agent services vs. Non-credentialed tax preparers1 | ||
Service | No designation | Enrolled Agent |
| Provide tax information | YES | YES |
| Call about processing | YES | YES |
| Receive notices | YES | YES |
| Respond about errors and tax prep | YES | YES |
| Argue tax law | NO | YES |
| Disagree with IRS on behalf of a taxpayer | NO | YES |
| Communicate with IRS about audits | NO | YES |
| Speak with IRS collections office | NO | YES |
| Handle appeals | NO | YES |
2. You have more career opportunities.
Earning your EA credential and certifying your expertise as a tax specialist also gives your career limitless growth potential. This is true due to two critical characteristics of the EA credential:
- For tax professionals, the EA credential is the highest rank given by the IRS and there is no greater accolade.
- You have jurisdiction nationwide and can offer your services anywhere within the US.
Therefore, you now have the authority and autonomy to drive your career down any path that’s of most interest to you. You could:
- Open your own tax firm
- Take on clients on a consulting basis
- Gain more advanced positions within your current organization or firm
You likewise will enjoy fantastic job security as an Enrolled Agent. As long as the government collects taxes, your services will be in high demand!
3. You earn a higher income.
Enrolled Agents are specialized professionals, backed by the EA credential. Not only can you offer more services, you can charge more for them, and/or apply to higher-paying, senior positions within firms or companies.
The average annual salary of Enrolled Agents is $99,000-$185,000,2 while non-credentialed tax preparers earn on average just $44,000-$76,000 annually.3
Pass the EA Exam with Becker
4. You gain trust, reputation, and prestige.
It’s undeniable that earning certifications boosts your resume. The IRS has standardized the EA Exam, giving the agency’s stamp of approval to whoever demonstrates the expertise to pass.
You could be an extremely experienced tax professional with a depth of specialized knowledge; but without an EA credential, you won’t have the authority to provide certain tax services, and you won't carry the same reputation or position of authority as an Enrolled Agent.
5. The EA credential is relatively accessible.
When comparing the EA credential with a CPA license (the only other certification that allows you to represent clients before the IRS), an EA credential is typically much faster and easier to earn. A CPA license is more comprehensive, covering areas of audit, accounting, and tax. While this allows you to explore more opportunities in public accounting, it's a more difficult path. If you know that you want to practice tax exclusively, and you’re less interested in public accounting, becoming an Enrolled Agent is a great choice for you.
EA Exam
The Enrolled Agent Exam (also called the Special Enrollment Exam—or SEE) is a three-part exam, with each part focusing on a specific area of tax:
- Part 1: Individuals
- Part 2: Business
- Part 3: Representation, practices, and procedures
If you’re now asking, “Is the EA Exam difficult?”, it’s important to understand that it does require dedicated study and preparation. However, most find it much more accessible than the CPA Exam—especially if you already work in tax-related areas. Likewise, with only multiple-choice questions, you avoid the open-ended and task-based simulation questions found throughout the CPA Exam.
Also check out these 10 tips to pass the SEE.
Requirements
Unlike many other professional certifications or licenses, the EA credential has relatively few requirements. There are no specific education or experience requirements. You must get your PTIN number, pass all three sections of the EA Exam, and then apply.
Learn more about how to become an Enrolled Agent.
Timeline
Many EA candidates complete the entire testing process and application in under one year—some in as little as just three months! It’s entirely dependent upon your previous tax knowledge and preparation going into the exam. But, again compared with other professional certifications, earning your EA credential can happen much more quickly.
Take the next step toward earning your EA credential
There are several benefits to earning your EA credential! If you're ready to start your journey, Becker can help you achieve your goal. Our comprehensive EA Exam Review offers the comprehensive materials, including textbooks, concept videos, sample forms, and more as well as the support you need to get Exam Day ReadySM.
Start your Enrolled Agent journey today by preparing to excel with Becker EA Exam Review.START NOW |
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