Benefits of Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA)

Are you a finance and accounting student or professional attracted to the auditing and taxation industry? Do you know the path to a successful career in this industry? If not, do not worry, as several globally recognized certifications can help you swiftly achieve your taxation career goals. Although the certification world in this realm is quite diverse, one course stands out among all others. Yes, you guessed it right; it is the Enrolled Agent Certification. Several benefits of Enrolled Agent certification attract numerous taxation aspirants to achieve this certification and stand out among others. The value that recognized certifications add to your qualifications can never be underestimated. 

From allowing you to access global jobs to helping you stand out among other candidates and enhancing the pace for career advancement, the list of benefits offered by these accreditations is a long one. Are these benefits available for the EA certification, too? Continue reading this post to know the answer. In addition to the benefits of Enrolled Agent certification, it will also introduce you to what EA certification is, how you can pursue it, and what the top jobs an EA gets are. 

Key Takeaways

• Enrolled Agent (EA)

• What is EA Certification?

• Benefits of Enrolled Agent

• Top Enrolled Agent Jobs

What is EA Certification?

You must know that EA receives the highest recognition for taxation and auditing globally from the Internal Revenue Service. On being conferred with the certification, you will serve as a licensed tax professional to represent taxpayers before the IRS concerning taxation matters. However, this shall not be the sole purpose of your designation. This implies that you will need to handle all tax concerns in your company, like taxation auditing, making any tax-connected files, minimizing the risk of tax, and following the tax law.

The Internal Revenue Service administers the Special Enrollment Exam, which is necessary to obtain EA Certification. The EA Exam measures your knowledge of taxes and auditing in three parts. These three parts of the SEE are:

• Individual Level
• Business Level
• Representation, Practices, and Procedures

Benefits of Enrolled Agent Designation

After a brief introduction to what an EA credential is, continue reading below to learn all the benefits of becoming an Enrolled Agent.

Certified tax experts

The Internal Revenue Service Board will not just award you the EA status when you ask for it. The board conducts a thorough examination that tests your profound knowledge and skills in the world of taxation and auditing. To pass this extensively competitive examination, you must prepare thoroughly for this industry's varying subjects.

While preparing for the Special Enrollment Examination, you will gain expert knowledge in the taxation and auditing industries. The course materials will help you learn the taxation concepts in depth that you would not be able to learn in any of the other certifications. As a result, achieving an EA designation is the best way to acquire unparalleled expertise in the tax matters.

Unlimited Representation Power Before the IRS

Next on the list of benefits of EA certification is the ability to represent clients before the IRS. Also, your tax-specific expertise will keep you in preference for these matters over other professionals.

With an unlimited allowance for representation before the IRS, it does not mean that once you achieve certification, you can access this power for a lifetime. You will be enrolled in the IRS National Database as long as you meet the EA requirements for the continuation of your certification. You must always have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and maintain the Continuing Education (CE) as required. You will be in the IRS National Database if you fulfill these requirements.

Low Cost

Another advantage of getting certified as an EA is that this certification can be acquired and maintained at a comparatively lower overall cost. Unlike other certification exams, you will need to pay quite a reasonable cost for EA. It includes USD 70 for acquiring or renewing PTIN and USD 200 per exam, summing to USD 600 for all three parts of the SEE. The coaching for this examination will also be comparatively less expensive.

In addition to the monetary aspect, the cost of EA exam prep is also lower with respect to the time you spend acquiring it. You can pass the Enrolled Agent exam within just nine months with NorthStar Academy. Obtain this accreditation, and all you will be required to do is attend continuing education for 72 hours every three years.

No Demanding Requirements

If you find the eligibility criteria of other certifications like US CPA and CMA quite extensive, you might be attracted to earning the EA qualification as it has comparatively less demanding criteria. The EA requirements set for the EA exam do not mandate work experience or high education qualifications. It does not require you to have a specific degree in the finance and accounting stream. All you need is a 10+2 qualification and a valid PTIN.

You can sit in the EA exam to acquire the certification by fulfilling just two EA requirements. Also, this certification can be obtained through another path. Through this path, you can acquire the EA accreditation without needing to pass the EA exam if you have work experience with the IRS. For this route, you will need around 5 years of work experience with the IRS. This route is usually available for seven positions in the IRS, including special agent, tax specialist, appeals officer, revenue officer, settlement officer, revenue agent, and tax law specialist.

Attractive Earning Potential

The EA review course will be your key to unlocking the most rewarding and high-paying career in the global taxation world. The unlimited rights to representation before the IRS will allow you to always use your tax expertise to enhance your income.

Being EA accredited will open a lot of doors, including global job opportunities with top companies and the Big 4 in finance and accounting. There are many rewarding opportunities that you can access in different industries, such as investment firms, accounting firms, corporate accounting departments, banks, law firms, state revenue departments, and private practices. The top employers will always choose you over other candidates for high-designation positions with high salaries if you have the EA designation.

Job Security

Another crucial point in this list of benefits of EA certification is that it comes with recession-proof job security. Once you achieve this certification, you only need to worry about doing your best at your work. Becoming an enrolled agent will offer you the utmost job security that cannot be affected by any recession. The EAs will be in demand as long as people continue to pay taxes, and you must know that it is never going to stop.

Even if the entire country is facing a challenging economic period, the demand for EAs will always be on the rise, and so will their salaries. From individuals to the Big 4, every taxpayer needs an expert like an EA to ensure their compliance with the tax codes. So, EAs are in high demand and have a rewarding career path. This certification will only take you ahead of the curve.

Top Enrolled Agent Jobs

One of the most significant benefits of EA certification is exposure to the most rewarding audit and appeal jobs in the U.S. or international job market. Earning the EA designation can get you some of the most valued positions, like: 

• Tax Consultant
• Tax Preparer
• IRS Representative
• Corporate Tax Advisor
• Estate and Trust Tax Specialist
• Small Business Tax Specialist
• Tax Compliance Officer
• Forensic Accountant

Conclusion

So, these benefits and job opportunities await you once you are qualified as an EA. Earning this highest credential in the realm of taxation requires you to study with full determination and to have the right partner by your side to support you throughout the journey. This is where NorthStar Academy comes in. Our comprehensive EA course is designed with industry standards and students' needs in mind. Our qualified and experienced mentors are available to provide you with end-to-end support, ensuring assured success. So, what are you waiting for?