They also travel to client sites to meet with them face-to-face. Both big and small accounting firms will have EAs on staff, although many eventually branch off to start their own tax preparation businesses. You can apply for EA enrollment directly through the IRS website. Alternatively, you can choose to mail in your application form and fee. On top of the initial college credits, exam, and experience conditions for CPA licensure, each state has specific rules for maintaining it. CPAs typically need a minimum of 40 hours per year of continuing professional education with four hours in ethics. Once you have some studying under your belt, it’s time to register for one or more parts of the exam.

Annual Filing Season Program Participants – This voluntary program recognizes the efforts of return preparers who are generally not attorneys, certified public accountants, or enrolled agents. It was designed to encourage education and filing season readiness. The IRS issues an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion to return preparers who obtain a certain number of continuing education hours in preparation for a specific tax year. They have more flexible and broad opportunities to work. They can involve various topics in the world of taxes so that you can count on them on different issues. States usually confirm CPAs, while the federal government is more into EAs.

Specific Duties and Role Requirements

Note that if you’re a current or former IRS employee with a certain degree of technical experience, you may be exempt from taking the SEE. There is no particular educational requirement or work experience necessary to become an EA. However, any candidate who applies should have established tax knowledge.

Businesses with no need for a CPA may save money by choosing an EA. For more information on the exams, check out our free EA Exam Guide and our CPA Exam Guide. While there could be exceptions to the rule, CPA licensure generally has a much higher barrier of entry than the enrolled agent credential. The steps to becoming an EA or a CPA are quite similar.

No matter how you file, Block has your back

Please check with your employer or benefits provider as they may not offer direct deposit or partial direct deposit. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies for check deposits versus electronic direct deposit. H&R Block tax software and online prices are ultimately determined at the time of print or e-file. Go through your life events checklist and see how each can affect your tax return with the experts at H&R Block. If you need help handling an estate, we’re here to help. Learn how to file taxes for a deceased loved one with H&R Block. Small Business Small business tax prep File yourself or with a small business certified tax professional.

Where you go to school to complete your 150 credit hour requirement will be one cost. And then you will need a CPA review course, which could add more to the total costs of becoming a CPA. There is nothing easy about deciding Enrolled Agents Vs Cpas to sell the company you have poured much of your time and money into over the years. According to the IRS, the average cost of tax preparation for a Tax Form is $218. The average cost for preparing an 1120 Tax Form is $806.

The EA Advantage

Section is filled with valuable tips, insider knowledge, and a review of some of the best study materials on the market. The duration of each exam is 4 hours with Multiple Choice Questions and Task-Based Simulations .

They may or may not have a specialized degree in taxation or be individually licensed in your particular state. You’ll notice that both enrolled agents and CPAs have tax expertise. However, https://turbo-tax.org/ each role has different credentials to establish this expertise. These credentials come into play in several ways when choosing an enrolled agent vs. CPA for your business.

Becker CPA: 0% Interest Payment Plan

Entrepreneurship comes with many responsibilities—including filing business taxes. Here’s what you need to know about tax filing for your small business. Other specialties, such as accounting, remain outside the scope of the designation. An EA can provide some of those services legally but lacks any special qualifications to do so. Former IRS employees who dealt with tax issues for at least five years need not take the SEE.

Typically, in fact, they will earn around $15,000 – $20,000 more each year as they represent taxpayers before various tax agencies. Here’s a look at the differences and benefits of enrolled agents vs CPAs. CPA Vs CMAThe full form of CPA is Certified Public Accountants and is pursued by students interested in auditing, management accounting, accounts handling, taxation, etc. In comparison, the full form of CMA is Certified Management Accountant and pursued by students keen on learning budgeting and management accounting. Becoming a CPA entails stricter requirements than earning an EA credential.

What is the difference between a CPA and an Enrolled Agent (EA?)

They help ensure that their clients are getting treated fairly by the IRS, and work out payment plans on the best possible terms. CPAs provide more financial services than enrolled agents, like reviewed, audited financial statements if needed.

• They could be specifically licensed as auditors, financial planners, corporate and executive accountants and tax consultants.
• In fact, the amount of shared content can help candidates earn both certifications at the same time.
• They’re also a great option if you need tax preparation and planning advice for an individual or business.
• Known as an “unenrolled preparer,” accountants can prepare your taxes, but they cannot represent you before the IRS.
• However, tax professionals have differing levels of skills, education and expertise.
• You can register for the SEE via Prometric’s Special Enrollment Examination webpage; be sure to schedule early as slots can sometimes fill up.

Real experts can help, or even do your taxes for you with TurboTax Live. Get unlimited advice as you do your taxes, or have everything done for you—start to finish. Complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years. Certified public accountants, or CPAs, have a more flexible and expansive repertoire than EAs. They deal in all sorts of realms within the tax world, making them a great choice if your questions involve multiple topics. In addition, states approve CPAs, while the federal government approves EAs. Payroll, unemployment, government benefits and other direct deposit funds are available on effective date of settlement with provider.

Enrolled Agent vs. CPA: What Are They?

This is very useful because this specialized knowledge can be utilized by them, for their clients. Knowing how the IRS operates is a massive benefit. Basically, on top of just offering tax-related services, CPAs can also provide a wide range of other services. Exam ParticularsMust pass all four sections within 18 months. A minimum score of 75 on each part is required.Section test scores normally stay valid for two years giving sufficient time to pass other sections. Due to Covid-19, the number has been extended to three.

Business advice – Finally, despite them specializing in finances and accounting, CPAs can also offer expert knowledge and guidance for business owners. They’ve been in the business a long time and have worked with plenty of businesses over the years and as a result they’re in the perfect position to offer you useful business advice. CPAs possess the necessary skills, training, and expertise to handle all manner of business-related issues such as complied, reviewed, audit financial statements. They can offer expert knowledge and guidance to business owners on how to correctly utilize and protect business assets and keep them safe. EAs however, are required to pass a rigorous three-part series of tests which are known as the Special Enrolment Examination. This series of tests covers business and individual tax laws and representation matters.