EA

An Enrolled Agent is an individual who has been federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Generally, EAs are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before.

EAs are generally tax preparers, but they can also wear an advisory hat by providing tax compliance counselling to clients or providing written advice to third parties regarding business transactions. In general, the EA’s job is to help their clients with a variety of tax matters, from tax preparation, to representation during hearings or conferences, to helping them through audits. EAs can be seen in an office, in front of the IRS, or sitting down with clients. They work in accounting firms of all types and sizes, with many EAs starting their own businesses.

It’s definitely recommended! Many CPAs have chosen to obtain sit for the Enrolled Agent Exam and earn the credential because it provides the same IRS representation rights as a CPA. But, unlike the CPA, an EA is recognized in all 50 states. This eliminates the applying to each individual state board of accountancy each time you move. It also allows you to effectively provide services to clients in any state. This is a great benefit for accountants approaching retirement and want the flexibility of travel. Enrolled Agents may not provide an opinion on a financial statement like a CPA, so if your practice is both assurance and tax, you will need your CPA license for any state where you do assurance work. However, if your practice is focused on tax and you want to be able to have tax clients from anywhere in the US, the EA option is a very effective option that is also very economical.

Unlike the most other professional designations, you can become an Enrolled Agent (EA) without earning a college degree. Plus, once you become an EA, your credential is valid in all 50 states. Whether you have decades of experience in tax or recently decided to make a career change from something completely unrelated, you are eligible to take the Enrolled Agent Examination (referred to as the Special Enrolment Examination, or SEE, by the Internal Revenue Service). A background in taxation helps make the process easier, but there have been students with zero tax experience who studied and passed the Enrolled Agent Exam – on their FIRST attempt! Here’s are the requirements to become an EA:

1. You must be at least 18 years old
2. You must have an active Personal Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS
3. You must pass all three parts of the Enrolled Agent Exam
4. You must be in compliance with U.S. Tax laws

The examinations are closed book. You are also not allowed to access any notes, books, reference materials, or electronic devices at any time during the examination or during breaks. Taking a look at any notes, books, reference materials or electronic devices can result in your test results being nullified by the IRS - so, it isn't worth it!

The Enrolled Agent Exam is taken at Prometric

No, you don't. Currently, there are no citizen or residency requirements. But, during PTIN renewal, you will be required to provide your social security number. If you don't have one, you will need to apply for your PTIN using Form 8946. Plus, Prometric centers are all over the world, so you can take the test anywhere.

A PTIN is an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number. This is a number issued by the IRS to a professional tax preparer, like Enrolled Agents (EAs). A PTIN is only required for professional tax preparers that accept payment to prepare tax returns.

Nope - you do not have to take all three parts in one sitting. As long as you schedule one section within 1 year from your date of registration, you have two years to complete and pass all three sections.

You can absolutely take the Enrolled Agent Exam in any order, there's no requirement for the order you sit them.

To pass the Enrolled Agent Exam, a score of 105 is the minimum required. This score is developed using a scaled score system - where your EA test results are ranked against others taking the examination, on a scale ranging between 40 and 130.

The EA Exam is quite unique, in that you can register to retake a failed EA exam part in just 24 hours. You can actually take the Exam four times within one testing window, but if you fail each time, you do have to wait for the next testing window. But if you fail four times in a row - it might be a good idea to take some time to study some more, don't you think?

You will be required to earn 72 hours of CE during your 3-year enrolment cycle. Enrolment cycles are determined by the last digit of your social security number.