Enrolled Agent Salary Guide in 2025-26

Generally, the amount of experience you have is the single most important factor when determining your salary. Enrolled agents are typically employed by businesses specializing in handling income tax resolutions or preparing tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service, in an effort to satisfy legal requirements, confers the status of enrolled agent to qualified candidates. At the mid-level, you will be preparing and https://www.ehdf.com/direct-labor-efficiency-variance/ reviewing tax returns, following up with tax invoices, preparing bank reconciliations, providing information to external auditors, and much more.

When do people hire an EA vs. a CPA?

However, generally speaking, CPAs must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as accounting, finance, or business, and 150 semester hours of college coursework. While CPAs can handle many of the same tax-related tasks as an EA, they also possess expertise in other areas of finance and business. 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. You don’t need to fulfill any education or experience requirements, but you must pass the 3-part EA Exam that covers all things tax law and regulation. Enrolled Agents (EAs) earn an average annual salary of just over $72,000 in the US, with some sources citing earnings as high as $174,000 per year.

Under existing statutes, EAs are able to provide advisory services and prepare tax returns for anything that is required to report under the IRS. A federally authorized tax specialist that provides advisory services to American taxpayers Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if you prefer to have a specialized focus on tax or if you want broader accounting expertise with a CPA. This wider skill set allows CPAs to work in various fields, including tax, audit, and advisory services.

On the other hand, if you are interested in receiving broader financial services alongside  tax assistance, then a CPA may be the way to go. Once EAs have passed their qualifying exam, the federal government recognizes them as tax specialists. While both credentials signify a high level of expertise and can open doors to various opportunities, they differ in their scope, requirements and areas of specialization.

Start studying today with Surgent EA Review — the smartest way to pass the Enrolled Agent exam — start your free trial today. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the average annual salary for an Enrolled Agent as of December 2021 was $59,020. They work in accounting firms of all types and sizes, and many EAs start their own businesses. EAs can also represent any tax matter, as well as appeal to any office of the IRS. This means EAs can represent any taxpayer, regardless of whether they prepared their income tax return.

I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites. If you would like to specialize in income tax and desire the flexibility of working at home with your own clients, I encourage you to explore the EA path! The job of an enrolled agent is not as well-known as that of a CPA.

In order to become an enrolled agent, you must take the EA exam or have at least 5 years of IRS https://iesvalledelebro.educacion.navarra.es/web1/blog/2025/08/21/what-are-overhead-costs-types-how-to-calculate/ work experience under your belt. For these reasons, EAs are in high demand and often earn a higher salary than tax return preparers who are unable to offer these services. Self-employed enrolled agents who operate their own accounting agencies can expect more earnings than their counterparts at large brokerages and corporations.

• Learn more about the benefits of the designation, including the Enrolled Agent salary and the opportunities you gain as an EA.
• The exam has three parts, and the testing fee is $267, which comes to a total of $801.
• Earning an Enrolled Agent status may be difficult since the pass rates are from 57 percent to 70 percent.
• Generally speaking though, if you are a CPA, your income will quickly outpace that of an EA.
• If you’re the type that thrives as your own boss and has big plans to build your own business, you can use your Enrolled Agent credential to jump into entrepreneurship.
• Two of the most recognized in the finance world are enrolled agents (EAs) and certified public accountants (CPAs).

What is an Enrolled Agent (EA)?

To become a CPA you must first complete the education requirements of the state in which you plan to practice. When deciding whether to work with an EA or a CPA, you can rest assured that both types of professionals can offer a high level of tax-related expertise. While CPAs commonly represent clients in federal tax matters, their broader authority depends on maintaining an active state license and meeting state-specific requirements. CPAs, however, are more adept at meeting financial planning and accounting needs. Their expertise can be particularly beneficial for individuals and businesses seeking specialized tax advice. In general, CPAs can provide a much wider scope of tax services than an EA can.

This means there is a far greater need for EAs today than in the past. EA candidates are not allowed to have any outstanding tax liabilities. However, the salary of a CPA will quickly exceed the salary pace of an EA. This could depend on where the individual is on the career ladder. Additionally, anyone who is interested in becoming an EA will need to pass a background check.

Costs and Processes of Becoming an EA and CPA

The length of time required to become an enrolled agent is much less than the amount of time required to become a CPA. The background check will consist of researching the candidate’s personal tax history. This exam is comprehensive and covers every aspect of the tax code. Among the differences between these two careers is that certified public accountants are regulated at the state level. Agents with more than 20 years of experience may see a pay raise up to $60,000 per year. EA salaries depend on a variety of factors, such as the number of years of experience, type of experience, and work location.

• EAs are generally tax preparers, but they can also wear an advisory hat by providing tax compliance counseling to clients or providing written advice to third parties regarding business transactions.
• Similarities among various accounting jobs makes distinguishing accounting job titles even more difficult.
• Considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, but curious about the salary prospects?
• As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well.
• The average Enrolled Agent salary in the US is just over $72,000 annually,1 although this number ranges from about to $54,000 to $82,000,2 with some sources citing as high as $174,000 per year.3
• But while the EA certification doesn’t sound quite as prestigious as the CPA license, don’t fret; people recognize and greatly respect enrolled agents.

To take the enrolled agent exam, you must pay a testing fee for each exam part. If your path to the IRS enrolled agent credential runs through the EA exam, you don’t need to meet an experience requirement. If you start with the CPA Exam and struggle with the REG section, you can temporarily change course by passing the EA exam and earning the EA designation. To become an enrolled agent, you must either take the EA exam, also known as the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE), or have previous work experience at the IRS. But while the EA certification doesn’t sound quite as prestigious as the CPA license, don’t fret; people recognize and greatly respect enrolled agents. EAs, or enrolled agents, are tax preparers authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Create your account and connect with a world of communities. CPAs, on the other hand, are integral to businesses and also work in the public sector in more traditional capacity. Depending on your state, you may also have to complete a work experience requirement. The third part of the exam covers Representation, Practice and Procedures. The EA exam, also known as the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), is a 3-part exam. They have a vast knowledge of anything that pertains to income tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, estate, payroll, retirement, and non-profit taxation.

Many accountants want to become certified public accountants (CPAs) while others have their sights set on becoming enrolled agents (EAs). While the initial years might see more modest earnings, with dedication and strategic career moves, EAs can enjoy a rewarding career. As such, the prospects for salary growth and increased demand for EAs remain promising. With the ever-evolving landscape of taxation in the U.S. and increasing IRS scrutiny, the demand for knowledgeable tax experts is unlikely to wane. Being affiliated with well-established firms or having partnerships with attorneys or financial consultants can lead to more client referrals and, consequently, higher earnings. EAs who own their practice or firm have the potential to earn significantly more than those employed by a company, especially as their business scales.

When considering a career move, understanding earning potential is crucial. To become an enrolled agent you should focus your studies on taxation and take the SEE. If you are deciding between becoming an enrolled agent or a CPA, you should weigh the pros and cons for each job. CPAs have a broad range of knowledge on all topics related to accounting, including auditing, taxes, business law, finance and more. Once you have passed the EA exam, you are federally recognized as a tax specialist.

Comparing EAs Vs. CPAs

Overall, it usually takes at least eight years to become a certified public accountant due to the necessary requirements. This means you will be working to gather financial documents, work to process and save them for future review. This increased demand for Enrolled Agents is reflected inrising Enrolled Agent salaries.Additional fees, terms and conditions apply; consult your Cardholder Agreement for details. The average person doesn’t understand the complex processes of taxes and all the detailed regulations. If the idea of protecting the rights of others appeals to you, this could be a great career option. Based on recent job openings, salary ranges in private practice between $35,000 – $100,000 a https://asbab-pack.com/adp-check-paper-multi-purpose-bottom-format-checks/ year.

What Is an Enrolled Agent? What Is a CPA?

Already have a Self-Study or Full-Immersion membership? They include entities such as individual taxpayers, corporations, trusts, and estates. Thank you for taking the time to read & answer. My honest question is, what is your average salaries & duties? I am continuing my education to Master in ea accountant salary Accounting.

How to Become a Tax Preparer in New Jersey

According to PayScale, EAs make between $34,000 and $80,000 a year, while CPAs make between $50,000 and $116,000 a year. The responsibilities for a mid-level position exceed that of an entry-level agent, which explains the difference in pay. There is no national certification for CPAs, so they must be certified in each state in which they intend to work.

In some states, candidates must also work a certain number of hours under the direction of a CPA prior to being allowed to sit for the exam. The hearings that an EA will often take part in usually occur via telephone. Before delving too deeply into this field as a career option, it’s important to understand EA salaries to determine if this is the right career choice for you.

Based on recent job openings, salary ranges for Foreign Tax Advisors range between $50,000 – $120,000 a year. I’m going to get my enrolled agent some time during grad school. Small Business Small business tax prep File yourself or with a small business certified tax professional. Most personal state programs available in January; release dates vary by state. We don’t blame you – take a look at our Enrolled Agent Salary Guide below, to get an idea of what salary range you could be looking at before diving in.