Well, according to the payscale, the national average salary for an EA is just over $50,000, when you include bonuses and commission as well. However, the actual enrolled agent salaries may vary a little bit when you consider all these variables. It depends on your years of experience, the scope of your responsibilities, your previous company’s size, all these factors could affect your earnings. Because enrolled agents have authority to represent clients before the IRS, they can fulfill a more specialized niche than non-enrolled tax preparers and accountants. Therefore, while CPAs do earn more on average than enrolled agents in the short run, the potential for earnings over the span of a career can be higher for enrolled agents. Finding work with tax preparation firms is one of the most common career paths for Enrolled Agents. While much work in tax is done from January through April 15th each year, enrolled agents have the distinction of working year round.

It goes without saying that you should always put a client’s needs first, what better way to separate yourself from others than as a knowledgeable wealth and tax expert? Having the Enrolled Agent credential gives you the ability to more effectively speak about things important to your client.

How long does it take to become an IRS enrolled agent?

In many cases, clients call upon the expertise of enrolled agents in complex tax situations where audits are likely. So, as the tax preparer, an enrolled agent is the most qualified to explain and defend the choices made during preparation. Just like you would working in the private sector for tax clients, you’ll be tasked to educate, assist and counsel but on behalf of the IRS. As an Enrolled Agent you have opportunities to increase your salary by charging a fee for representation services, tax advice, or opinions on tax matters.

Part 1 of the exam is also challenging; approximately 75-80% of exam-takers have passed this part of the exam in the past three years. You will be required to pay this fee when you schedule your examinations. If you need to reschedule your exam, you can do so.

EA vs. CPA: What’s the Difference?

A master’s degree in accounting will not only raise your salary prospects, it will also increase your job stability and desirability as a candidate—even during challenging economic Enrolled Agent Salaries times. Larger firms will always have a demand for enrolled agents. But the fact that smaller firms have to specialize can be both a blessing and a curse for enrolled agents.

Becoming an enrolled agent still offers plenty of benefits. To become an enrolled agent, it is necessary to pass a three-part examination. This exam is comprehensive and covers every aspect of the tax code. Additionally, anyone who is interested in becoming an EA will need to pass a background check. This check is performed by the Internal Revenue Service. The background check will consist of researching the candidate’s personal tax history. This is quite important considering the importance of ethics in this job role.

Virtual Tax Expertise at H&R Block

The rest fall somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000. Therefore, the EA salary range in that city is significantly higher, starting at over $80,000. Enrolled agents in Charlotte also earn higher than the national average.

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Why become an enrolled agent?

With experience as a former Internal Revenue Service employee, you should work for at least 5 years in a position requiring experience in interpreting the tax code. Becoming an Enrolled Agent can take 3 to 8 months depending on your taxation knowledge. The EA exam consists of three different parts with 3.5 hours of testing time for each part.

EA salaries depend on a variety of factors, such as the number of years of experience, type of experience, and work location. There are three salary levels for enrolled agents. They are entry level, mid-level, and senior level.

Qualifying a three-part comprehensive IRS test called SEE along with passing a background check. Step 5 – Continue your education to maintain your EA credential. Click a salary below to compare with Enrolled Agent salaries. Elder Hanson & Company, Ltd. of Naperville, Illinois is looking to hire an organized, detail-oriented, and dependable remote seasonal Certified Public Accountant / Enrolled Agent / Tax … Innovative company means things are constantly changing.

• Generally speaking, CPA salaries tend to be higher than enrolled agent salaries.
• They could be specifically licensed as auditors, financial planners, corporate and executive accountants and tax consultants.
• The bigger the city, the higher the median EA salary.
• The first is by passing the Special Enrollment Examination , which has 3 parts.

By comparison, a CPA can have a number of opportunities for earning money. For instance, CPAs https://simple-accounting.org/ working for conglomerates or in a CPA firm could easily bring in six-figure salaries.

Some states also require a certain number of hours worked under the direct supervision of a CPA before taking the exam. The CPA exam has an extremely competitive pass rate and only a 18 month time span to take it. Our Enrolled Agent professional faculty provide end to end assistance in getting EA certification.