enrolled agent
If you’re exploring hiring a professional to do your taxes, you may come across the terms enrolled agent (EA) or certified public accountant (CPA). An enrolled agent is a tax practitioner who is licensed at the federal level by the Internal Revenue Service. …

Is CPA or EA better?

In general, CPAs earn more than EAs in all career levels. However, the CPA credential requires significantly more schooling, time, and upfront costs than the EA credential. The EA credential is also more client-focused than a CPA credential. These are both factors to weigh alongside salary numbers for each profession.

Are enrolled agents as good as CPAs?

Enrolled agents are not as well-known as CPAs, but they are as good if not better with income tax matters. The path to the CPA is long and arduous but more popular.

What does the suffix EA mean?

Enrolled Agent
What Is an Enrolled Agent? An enrolled agent (EA) is a tax professional authorized by the United States government to represent taxpayers in matters regarding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Is EA the same as CPA?

EAs and CPAs are both knowledgeable, experienced professionals who are required to maintain high ethical standards. The primary difference between an EA vs CPA is that EAs specialize in taxation, and CPAs can specialize in taxation and more.

Can an EA do an audit?

Although enrolled agents perform accounting tasks and certain kinds of audits, they’re limited in that they can’t express an “unqualified” type of opinion. Enrolled agents are specifically authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS at all administrative levels, up to but not including Tax Court.

What’s the difference between an EA and a CPA?

An enrolled agent, or EA, is a kind of tax professional who focuses narrowly on managing tax arrangements for business or private entities. EAs boast a wide range of knowledge in such tax-related subjects as income , estate, gift, payroll, levies, returns, inheritance, non-profit and retirement taxes.

What’s the difference between an Enrolled agent and a CPA?

When making your decision about whom to work with, you may wonder about the differences between an enrolled agent(EA) and a certified public accountant (CPA). Below we guide you through the EA vs. CPA comparison so you can make the best choice.

What kind of tax professional is an Enrolled Agent?

What Is an Enrolled Agent? An enrolled agent, or EA, is a kind of tax professional who focuses narrowly on managing tax arrangements for business or private entities. EAs boast a wide range of knowledge in such tax-related subjects as income, estate, gift, payroll, levies, returns, inheritance, non-profit and retirementtaxes.

What should I expect when I call a CPA?

A common complaint often heard from consumers about their CPAs is about long wait for returned phone calls. CPAs aren’t famous for their communication skills. It’s not unreasonable to ask how long you should expect to wait to have a call returned. Asking also lets your CPA know you do want your calls returned promptly.