The larger the company, the higher the pay for a given role, and the better defined your career path will be. Bookkeepers ensure that a business makes the most economically viable and safe decisions to keep finances tight and under control. This position does not exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers. A smaller step, but still one in the direction enrolled agent salary of earning more for your expertise, is completing the Annual Filing Season Program.

• This is actually why my dad originally forced me, or persuaded me to get my own EA.
• You should also continuously study and stay updated on tax laws and regulations to provide the best service.
• Moreover, whatever the state of the economy may be, people will always need help preparing their taxes or dealing with the IRS.
• Best of all, you can set your own schedule, work across the United States, and take on as many clients as you can keep.
• The other way to become an Enrolled Agent is by having enough IRS experience.
• The main service that distinguishes an Enrolled Agent from others is the ability to represent taxpayers.
• Many EAs chose to work for large agencies, accounting or otherwise.

Steps to Earn the IRS Enrolled Agent Salary

• And, with the increased convenience and reliability of telecommuting technology, a small firm can serve clients nationwide.
• Another way to boost your salary and solidify your expertise is to become dual-certified.
• 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.
• Working as an Enrolled Agent at one of the larger national tax firms won’t necessarily earn you as much as you might make at a more specialized regional or local brokerage.
• Some larger organizations pay their entry-level Enrolled Agents more than smaller organizations pay experienced Enrolled Agents.

It’s essential to take into account the cost of living expenses in your deliberations as well. Therefore, you should compare the average EA salaries across the United States to better understand how much you can make as an EA. EAs in metropolitan areas or states with higher costs of living, such as New York or California, often command higher salaries than those in more rural areas or lower cost-of-living states. 📈Marketing and sales skills are Certified Public Accountant essential for Enrolled Agents who want to attract and serve clients.

Who should earn the EA?

Nevertheless, you can pursue additional credentials, such as CPA licensure for instance. Staff accountants handle various financial duties such as ensuring financial statements are prepared correctly and that companies follow the laws and regulations for financial practices. They handle balancing the budget and must use budgeting and auditing software programs. 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.

Navigating the World of Tax Professionals and Certified Public Accountants

EAs who specialize in niche areas, like international taxation or complex corporate structures, can often charge higher rates for their expertise. These companies often have a demand for skilled EAs to provide administrative support to executives and assist with tax-related matters. —To stand out as an Enrolled Agent, you can niche down your services and target specific markets. By focusing on a specialized area, you can differentiate yourself from the competition. —The average salary for an Enrolled Agent working for someone is around $57,000 per year. Review a breakdown of entry level salary expectations by state here.

• Take into consideration not just the EA vs CPA salary, but also the educational qualifications, continuing education requirements, and the kind of work-life balance each profession offers.
• There’s just this huge rise in self-employment going on, which is creating more and more tax debtors every single day.
• The biggest distinction is the that scope of a CPA is much broader than that of an EA, as an EA only really handles tax matters, while CPAs can do general accounting and finance related tasks.
• Then that person becomes a client for you, and they’re not as price-sensitive as they were before because they see the value of having that backup that the EA license gives you the ability to do.
• Average fees for helping someone with an offer in compromise can go from $5,000 to $15,000 and up.
• And finally, salary numbers for enrolled agent jobs in San Diego range from $39,906 and $57,780.
• All right, thirdly, and last but not least, there are over 14 million taxpayers in collections with the IRS right now.

Therefore, the EA salary range in that city is a little lower, with the average salary about $38,197  to $55,306. Enrolled Agents in Charlotte also earn less than the national average at about $42,295. The premier solution for fixing tax problems is the offer in compromise. Average fees for helping someone Budgeting for Nonprofits with an offer in compromise can go from $5,000 to $15,000 and up. Minimum starting fees for tax problem resolution engagements often start at $2,500 or $3,000 just to start working with somebody that has a tax problem that needs to be resolved.

They must stay up to date on a wide variety of projects and report directly to higher-level executives. Especially in organizations that employ many tax experts, having an office manager with tax expertise is incredibly valuable. Download Becker’s FREE EA Exam Guide ebook to learn more about being an EA, career insights, and everything you need to know about the EA Exam and how to pass.

Timestamped Summary

This compensation can vary significantly based on location and experience level. For instance, Enrolled Agents with several years of experience may see higher salaries, reflecting their expertise and ability to handle complex tax matters. Unlike other non-enrolled tax professionals, an Enrolled Agent has special permission to perform legal services that other tax professionals cannot. The main service that distinguishes an Enrolled Agent from others is the ability to represent taxpayers. In addition to preparing taxes and providing advice, Enrolled Agents have permission to act on behalf of their clients in any dealings with the IRS. Number two, increased opportunity to serve self-employed/entrepreneur/small business clients.

• Considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, but curious about the salary prospects?
• Regular tax preparers, especially seasonal tax preparers, may have a part-time job in addition to what they’re already doing, or maybe they’re semi-retired.
• Many states require CPAs to complete up to 40 hours of continuing education each year.
• While that number is large, most of those firms are small agencies that handle relatively few clients compared to the big competition.
• Please be aware, the privacy policy may differ on the third-party website.
• Compare enrolled agent salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.

Hourly Rate for Certification: Enrolled Agent (EA)

For example, a small agency that specializes in escrow accounting may not need an Enrolled Agent. On the other hand, a small company that specializes in complex tax situations would really benefit from having one or two EAs on staff. One reason Enrolled Agent salaries across America are so widespread is that Enrolled Agents can hold various positions. Your education and experience level, as well as any other certifications you hold, also affect the size of your Enrolled Agent salary.