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CPAs, for example, must first earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field before they’re able to sit for the four-part certified public accountant examination. Enrolled agents also need a bachelor’s degree, but the course of study can be accounting, economics or a related field.

Clients are able to upload documents and the documents are saved their portal which as a result, keeps us better organized. The task feature https://www.bookstime.com/ keeps us organized and we know exactly the status of each client. Find more information about becoming an enrolled agent in this blog post.

What is an Enrolled Agent’s Salary?

Please allow 60 days for processing ( days if you are a former IRS employee). Each exam part may be taken 4 times per testing window, which runs from May 1 to the end of February. There is a $203 fee per part paid at the time of appointment scheduling. Go through Exam content outlines– Review all the details and full-detailed exam specifications to become familiar with the rules of each part of SEE. When compared to EAs CPAs make more money like closer to $70,000 annually. But in the long run, geographical constraints and corporate salary caps often limit CPAs salaries. Each part is taken as a separate 100 question EA exam and you will have 3.5 hours to answer all questions for that part.

You will also fill out financial forms , and cross reference this information with pertinent financial documents per IRS guidelines and substantiation. Much of your work will require meticulous records keeping as you prepare and draft IRS correspondences. Aid in the relief of responsibility for paying tax, interest, and penalties a.k.a innocent spouse relief. Please enable Javascript to view this website correctly, our platform requires Javascript to function.

Enrollment Agent Job Description

The test is not offered during the annual blackout period in March and April. All references on the examination are to the Internal Revenue Code, forms and publications, as amended through December 31, 2021. Also, unless otherwise stated, all questions relate to the calendar year 2021.

Enrolled agent status has a long history that dates back to the end of the Civil War. Since then, it has become a bona fide career with the benefits of technical experience, federal oversight of the practice, governmental oversight, and even their own publications. In fact, enrolled agent certification is the highest credential the Internal Revenue Service offers.

Enrolled Agent Salary Details

Becoming an enrolled agent takes much less time than becoming a CPA. Unlike the CPA exam, which requires you to have completed certain educational prerequisites, there are no educational requirements to sit for the Special Enrollment Exam . CPAs, on the other hand, are public accountants who file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission . There is no national certification for CPAs, so they must be certified in each state in which they intend to work.

• Much of your work will require meticulous records keeping as you prepare and draft IRS correspondences.
• Failure to properly inform your client may result in negative consequences for both you and your client.
• EAs specialize in tax issues of all kinds ranging from businesses to individuals.

So, an enrolled agent in the right region who builds up a great interstate reputation and client base can certainly out-earn CPAs in the same area. Therefore, because the CPA is a state certification, not a federal one, a CPA may want to earn an enrolled agent designation as well to expand her credentials and her earning potential. 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. EA’s are more than just expert tax preparers, you will manage client relationships, prepare and review corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary and other tax returns.

Employment Opportunities for Enrolled Agents

This is quite important considering the importance of ethics in this job role. The length of time required to become an enrolled agent is much less than the amount of time required to become a CPA. A senior-level enrolled agent salary enrolled agent with between 10 and 20 years of experience can typically expect to earn an average salary of $55,000. Agents with more than 20 years of experience may see a pay raise up to $60,000 per year.

This position earns a competitive starting wage of $31-$36 an hour with opportunities for advancement. I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites.