CPA Enrolled Agent Salary

The AFSP is a yearly 15 to 18 hour continuing education program governed by the IRS. Once completed, you are listed on the IRS’ RPO database as an official “Annual Filing Season Program Participant”. There are three sections to the exam, which cover individuals, businesses and representation, practices and procedures. There is also a continuing education component that entails taking 72 credits every three years.

Tips for Managing Your Taxes

This in turn makes you a more popular choice compared to your peers when it comes to a potential client looking for a tax professional. An enrolled agent’s salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile. Completing the AFSP is not nearly as comprehensive as receiving an Enrolled Agent designation, and you do not have as many rights as an EA. However, it is vastly cheaper than that of preparing and sitting for the EA exam, and takes much less time to complete. Another way to boost your salary and solidify your expertise is to become dual-certified.

• According to the 2024 Robert Half Salary Guide, hiring trends in accounting and finance continue to favor the job candidate.
• Start studying today with Surgent EA Review — the smartest way to pass the Enrolled Agent exam — start your free trial today.
• Compare enrolled agent salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
• There is no specific education or work experience requirement, although candidates should have well-established tax knowledge before taking the exam.
• This position does not exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers.
• Plus, the EA designation signals a high level of expertise that will cement your status as a valuable expert on tax topics.

High Paying Enrolled Agent Jobs

The lowest average enrolled agent salary states are Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. EAs are federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS and have unlimited representation rights. This means EAs can represent any taxpayer, regardless of whether they prepared their income tax return. EAs can also represent any tax matter, as well as appeal to any office of the IRS. SmartAsset Advisors, LLC (“SmartAsset”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S.

What’s the Difference Between EAs and CPAs?

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According to ZipRecruiter.com, the average annual salary for an Enrolled Agent as of December 2021 was $59,020. Enrolled agent salaries typically range between $22,000 and $54,000 yearly. If you’re looking to speed up your salary gains in tax preparation, the best thing you can do is earn a professional designation, like the Enrolled Agent designation awarded by the IRS. Earning an EA confirms to clients the tax knowledge that you have, and keeps you up to date every year on any changes in taxation. Entry-level tax preparers make less, but can expect their salary to increase after gaining several years of experience, and gathering more clients.

If you dislike the cold and aren’t comfortable in a big city, you don’t have to live in New York or Chicago to make a living as an Enrolled Agent. They prepare tax reports, ensure the accuracy of the company’s tax documents, and are responsible for handling any issues. They must stay up to date on relevant tax laws and often communicate across departments to ensure the entire firm is complying with accounting procedures. Tax managers handle all the tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws for an organization. While this position is commonly filled by a CPA, the Enrolled Agent designation is a great way to secure your tax specialization.

And because tax attorney fees can often climb well into the four figures, both CPAs and EAs are also affordable alternatives for those who need help figuring out tax obligations. Be sure that if you choose to consult with either type of professional you have a solid handle on your finances and measure your expectations. You may be able to find what you’re looking for with either type of professional as both types of professionals are equally qualified to perform similar tasks. What’s more, general population demand is greater for CPAs than EAs. CPAs help clients set and achieve financial goals through money management and financial planning.

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• In 2014, the average enrolled agent earned $31,983 annually, but today, they earn $35,171 a year.
• The average Enrolled Agent Salary in The United States is $56,000 per year.
• The average enrolled agent salary has risen by $3,188 over the last ten years.
• Additionally, the EA credential is more client-focused, with a variety of career paths.
• An enrolled agent’s salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.

An enrolled agent with 0-2 years of experience earns an average entry-level salary of $21,082. A mid-career enrolled agent with 3-6 years of experience enrolled agent salary makes $35,171 a year on average. A senior level enrolled agent with 7-12 years of experience enjoys an average annual salary of $41,077.

The Enrolled Agent (EA) credential is a nationally recognized certification offered by the IRS for tax professionals. There is no specific education or work experience requirement, although candidates should have well-established tax knowledge before taking the exam. When deciding between working with an EA or a CPA, you can rest assured that both types of professionals are well-trained. They must pass rigorous exams and can do difficult and demanding work for clients.

Best-Paying Cities for CPA Enrolled Agent

Learn how becoming a tax expert can help you excel at firms of all sizes on our Enrolled Agents at the Big 4 blog. The most highly specialized Enrolled Agent probably isn’t going to be earning as much at a smaller organization as they https://www.bookstime.com/law-firm-bookkeeping could at a larger one. Some larger organizations pay their entry-level Enrolled Agents more than smaller organizations pay experienced Enrolled Agents. Tax preparers work with taxpayers to complete federal and state tax returns.