Enrolled Agent Course Career Path: Salary & Fees Explained

The advanced certification landscape in finance and accounting is quite diverse. It has various internationally recognised courses, such as the ACCA courses, CPA US courses (Certified Public Accountant), and US CMA courses. After completing these courses, you can work in top accounting firms and increase your earning potential in India and globally.

But what if you wish to gain specialisation in global taxation? Is there any specific course to build a career in tax? The Enrolled Agent course is the right choice for you in this case. 

You must pursue the EA course to enter the group of credentialed Enrolled Agents to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service Board. But what is the career path for this course? Continue reading this blog if you are an EA certification aspirant. It will help you learn everything about the fees of the EA course, salary in India, and services you can offer after the tax practice. 

Enrolled Agent Career Path in India

Unlike other finance and accounting professionals, an Enrolled Agent focuses solely on the complex tax matters of a business or individual. The IRS recognises EAs as tax law, rule, and procedure experts. The career path for becoming an IRS Enrolled Agent in India is as follows.

• Ensure your Eligibility- The first step in your EA journey is to ensure you are eligible for the programme. The eligibility criteria for this course are not very demanding. To take the EA exam, you must pass Class 12 and have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).

• Pass the Enrolled Agent Exam- The EA examination, officially known as the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), consists of three parts, all of which must be passed to earn the certification. The SEE assesses knowledge of individual and business tax laws, IRS representation procedures, and the ability to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

• Apply for the EA Status- After clearing the SEE, you must apply for the Enrolled Agent status. This involves the IRS conducting a background check to ensure compliance with tax laws. 

• Securing an EA License- When the IRS approves your application, it will grant you the EA license. The credential will officially provide you with the accreditation of an IRS Enrolled Agent. This means you can now represent clients before the IRS.

Role of an Enrolled Agent in India

Enrolled Agents in India and every other nation are the tax experts that help individuals and businesses with their tax-related matters. An EA performs the following roles.

• EAs represent their clients before the IRS for tax-related matters. 

• The professionals maintain the confidentiality of the tax information and personal documents. 

• Some EAs also take up basic accounting tasks like reviewing bank statements and updating financial records. 

• EAs also perform tax audits to ensure compliance with the tax laws. These audits help highlight financial fraud. Also, EAs help businesses implement practices to avoid these frauds in the future. 

• Businesses and individuals rely on Enrolled Agents to learn about the applicable tax rules and regulations. 

• EAs help clients to adhere to the tax regulations. 

Job Opportunities for Enrolled Agents in Accounting

Top organisations worldwide offer varying lucrative EA job opportunities. The most appreciated ones are as follows

• Tax Associate

• Tax Consultant

• Tax Manager

• Senior Tax Analyst

• Enrolled Agent

Enrolled Agent Salary in INR

The average starting salary for an EA is INR 7 LPA. In India, EA salaries range from INR 6 to INR 8 LPA. However, you can increase your salary as you gain more experience. It goes up to INR 15 LPA or more. 

Factors Influencing Enrolled Agent Salary

Earning the EA designations is your key to securing international tax jobs. However, there are certain factors that influence the annual salary of an Enrolled Agent, as explained below. 

• Academic Qualifications- Your qualifications, in addition to the Enrolled Agent designation, might affect your salary. For example, you might get a better-paying opportunity if you hold a degree in finance or accounting. 

• Expertise- Your salary as an EA will gradually increase with your increasing experience. The higher the experience, the better your expertise in tax issues will be. This will eventually lead to a better pay scale. 

• Geographic Location- The city and country in which your organisation is located also influence your salary as an Enrolled Agent. Metropolitan areas offer better compensation. 

• Industry Demand- Industries like multinational corporations and financial services offer EA job opportunities with higher pay. 

Salaries and Career Growth for Enrolled Agents

The Enrolled Agent course allows you to apply for jobs in big four firms like Deloitte and top organisations all over the world. These jobs pay much more to EA professionals than to non-certified professionals. Also, you can work independently and provide tax services for various clients. In both cases, the career advancement of experienced EAs is impressive. 

Enrollment Process for Enrolled Agents

Follow the steps below to enrol as an Enrolled Agent and handle tax matters. 

• Obtain your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). 

• Schedule your test appointments on the Prometric’s Special Enrollment Examination webpage. 

• You can apply by paying the fee to the IRS. To do this, you must mail the enrollment form and a cheque to the IRS. 

• The IRS will conduct a background check on you to ensure your tax compliance. You will be granted the EA certification if you pass this check. 

Importance of PTIN for Enrolled Agents

The Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is granted by the IRS to tax preparers. It is essential for the Enrolled Agents as it ensures accountability and compliance with IRS regulations. EAs must renew this number annually to ensure the validity of their EA certification. 

Understanding the IRS and Becoming an Enrolled Agent

The Internal Revenue Service is a US government agency that enforces federal tax laws. The Enrolled Agent course by this agency is the best option for every student and professional aspiring to enter the global tax world and ensure career success. 

Skills and Continuing Education for Enrolled Agents

The Enrolled Agent course will equip you with the following skills. 

• Tax planning

• Problem-Solving Skills

• IRS Representation Skills

• Analytical Expertise

• Ethics and Professionalism

• Communication Proficiency

The tax laws keep changing. Hence, to ensure you stay updated with these changes, the IRS requires EAs to complete its Continuing Education (CE) requirements. This requires every EA to complete 72 hours of CE every three years. Each year, you must complete at least 16 hours, out of which 2 hours must be dedicated to Ethics CE. 

Career Opportunities for Enrolled Agents in India

India highly values Enrolled Agents for their expertise. As a result, you can find various career prospects in the country. In addition to the big 4 firms, you can also apply to other MNCs and top organisations. Also, you can work independently to provide high demand tax-related services to various individuals and businesses. 

Conclusion

EAs specialise in tax and work in various areas like tax planning, corporate tax auditing, and tax preparation. So, you must opt for the Enrolled Agent course to become an EA and achieve your career goals. NorthStar Academy can help you prepare for the EA exam with its Enrolled Agent courses and others like the CMA USA exam preparation. You can pass this examination smoothly and earn your certification under the guidance of expert mentors like M Irfat Sir. For more related articles, check our website!