As you’ll see, each employment option for enrolled agents has its pros and cons. One reason enrolled agent salaries across America are so widespread is that enrolled agents can hold various positions. Your education and experience level, as well as any other certifications you hold, also affect the size of your enrolled agent salary. And another factor that makes a significant difference is the type of employer for whom you choose to work. According to Indeed.com, over half of the enrolled agent jobs in Atlanta pay more than 6 figures. Therefore, the EA salary range in that city is a little lower, with the average salary about $51,560.
Consequently, building a reputation as the tax expert in town (and the tax law expert) can really help your career. As of 2023, over 46,000 public accounting firms existed in the United States. While that number is large, most of those firms are small agencies that handle relatively few clients compared to the big competition. The largest firms in the country pull in billions of dollars in revenue annually and employ tens of thousands of people. On the other hand, the smallest successful brokers and agents typically see less than a million dollars come through their doors each year. What’s more, enrolled agents often fill the role of both tax accountant and tax attorney.
In many cases, clients call upon the expertise of enrolled agents in complex tax situations where audits are likely. So, as the tax preparer, an enrolled agent is the most qualified to explain and defend the choices made during preparation. In general, CPAs earn more than EAs in all career levels; however, the CPA credential requires significantly more schooling, time and up-front costs than the EA credential. Additionally, the EA credential is more client-focused, with a variety of career paths. Be sure to consider additional factors alongside salary when planning your professional path. CPAs can also be found in a variety of environments from large public accounting firms to local firms.
Furthermore, when you consider the lack of an upper limit on your earning potential, the idea of self-employment becomes very attractive. In the right area, and with the right book of business, an enrolled agent can do quite well working in self-employment. Best of all, you can set your own schedule, work across the United States, and take on as many clients as you can keep. Of course, the more experience you have, the more an employer will be willing to pay you. Consequently, entry-level positions start on the low end of these ranges, while senior positions claim how much does an enrolled agent make the highest salaries.
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. Yet, both paths to the EA also involve extensive background investigations. And, in addition to the standard background check, the IRS also investigates your personal tax history. It’s essential to take into account the cost of living expenses in your deliberations as well.
For example, in Phoenix, a senior tax consultant with an enrolled agent designation and over 5 years of relevant experience can earn over 6 figures at a regional firm. Unlike other non-enrolled tax professionals, an enrolled agent has special permission to perform legal services that other tax professionals cannot. The main service that distinguishes an enrolled agent from others is the ability to represent taxpayers. In addition to preparing taxes and providing advice, enrolled agents have permission to act on behalf of their clients in any and all dealings with the IRS.
They must stay up to date on a wide variety of projects and report directly to higher-level executives. Especially in organizations that employ many tax experts, having an office manager with tax expertise is incredibly valuable. Tax preparers work with taxpayers to complete federal and state tax returns. This job usually involves a busy season, with the highest workload occurring from December to mid-April. A smaller step, but still one in the direction of earning more for your expertise, is completing the Annual Filing Season Program. The AFSP is a yearly 15 to 18 hour continuing education program governed by the IRS.
The size of the company and the scope of your responsibilities also affect your earnings. If you’re considering a career in accounting or finance, you may be curious about how much money enrolled agents make. They also work for some of the most well-respected corporations in the country. So, to determine how lucrative a career as an enrolled agent can be, use this information to learn more about the enrolled agent salary. If you’re planning to start your own book of business, then earning the enrolled agent designation is a great way to differentiate yourself from the bulk of your competitors.
Another factor to consider as you choose your career path is the earning potential for both the EA credential and CPA license. While both the CPA and EA credential require tax knowledge, the EA is much more niche within the industry and geared more toward tax practitioners. The Enrolled Agent credential requires more in-depth tax knowledge than the CPA credential, meaning EAs are valuable to clients looking specifically for advice on advanced tax issues.
