Offer some benefits (e.g., gyms, cafeterias, and daycare) that smaller firms can’t reasonably fit into their budgets. Completing the AFSP is not nearly as comprehensive as receiving an Enrolled Agent designation, and you do not have as many rights as an EA. However, it is vastly cheaper than that of preparing and sitting for the EA exam, and takes much less time to complete.
As of 2024, over 86,000 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.
Enrolled Agent Salary vs. CPA Salary
In the Pacific Northwest, where tech and trees reign, Seattle Enrolled Agents earn anywhere from $49,275 and $68,692. However, San Francisco residents in Enrolled Agent positions earn a median income of $54,504, which is well above the national number. Of jobs posted in the city by the bay, nearly half pay above $125,000 annually. Moving down to Southern California reveals EA salary numbers that are as sunny as the beaches. Enrolled Agent salary numbers in Los Angeles show that about half of the jobs available pay in the six-figure range. And finally, salary numbers for enrolled agent jobs in San Diego range from $39,906 and $57,780.
Highest paying states for enrolled agents
- If you don’t currently have the IRS experience to become an Enrolled Agent, you’ll need to pass the EA exam.
- However, it is vastly cheaper than that of preparing and sitting for the EA exam, and takes much less time to complete.
- According to the BLS, the lowest earners for enrolled agents and related professions earned about $37,690 per year in 2023.
- Therefore, as with the lion’s share of the small accounting agencies out there, specialization is key.
- Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the highest earners made about $107,661 annually.
Compare enrolled agent salaries for individual cities or states with the national average. The most highly specialized Enrolled Agent probably isn’t going to be earning as much at a smaller organization as they could at a larger one. Some larger organizations pay their entry-level Enrolled Agents more than smaller organizations pay experienced Enrolled Agents. Office managers oversee several ongoing projects at once and work with staff to ensure that operations run smoothly. 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.
How much do Enrolled Agents make compared to the Average Tax Preparer?
At a median of over $53,000, the salary for an independent Enrolled Agent is not bad. 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. Well, according to Salary.com, the national average salary for an Enrolled Agent is just over $43,600. However, actual EA salaries may vary quite a bit (between $37,000 and almost $54,000) when you consider all the variables.
In New York City, the average salary for an Enrolled Agent is above the national average, with NY EAs making over $51,000 on average. Additionally, a cursory glance at Boston EA jobs reveals that salaries range anywhere from $41,653 and $60,309. Elsewhere in the region, such as Baltimore, the majority of the enrolled agent positions pay between $38,197 and $55,306 per year. Based on compensation data that was included in job postings for enrolled agents dating back to September 2020, advertised salaries for enrolled agents have increased 21%. During a review of 11,127 job postings related to enrolled agents, advertised salary was included in 4,502 of them, which was 40%.
Enrolled Agent salary by year
This job usually involves a busy season, with the highest workload occurring from December to mid-April. Another way to boost your salary and solidify your expertise is to become dual-certified. Master finance principles and develop all-inclusive corporate finance strategies for business firms and financial institutions. Enter into or advance within the rapidly growing accounting industry and prepare for professional certifications like the CPA. Tax managers handle all the tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws for an organization. While this position is commonly filled by a CPA, the Enrolled Agent designation is a great way to secure your tax specialization.
That works out to a 4% change in pay for enrolled agents over the last decade. Enrolled agent salaries typically range between $22,000 and $54,000 yearly. According to the 2024 Robert Half Salary Guide, hiring trends in accounting and finance continue to favor the job candidate. Firms are looking to fill entry-level positions, so recent accounting grads and young professionals are in a great position to get their first accounting job. Firms are especially interested in candidates with how much does an enrolled agent make technology skills that can be applied to growing areas like cloud systems and data analysis.
- A smaller step, but still one in the direction of earning more for your expertise, is completing the Annual Filing Season Program.
- The highest-paying cities for enrolled agents are Green Bay, WI, San Francisco, CA, and Southfield, MI.
- So, if you’re just starting out as an Enrolled Agent, you can expect to make somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 annually.
- 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.
- And, Enrolled Agent salaries are on the rise at larger firms and corporations, too.
The EA exam was designed to produce only the most qualified and competent enrolled agents. But fortunately, you can prepare to pass by utilizing an EA review course. And with affordable pricing, this investment in your future definitely pays off.
Annual Salary for Enrolled Agents
And while they say everything’s bigger in Texas, this statement doesn’t necessarily hold true for Dallas Enrolled Agent salaries. But the average EA salary in Dallas for jobs posted in the area pay between $36,674 and $53,100 annually. What’s more, when an Enrolled Agent runs a small agency or brokerage that offers complete, specialized tax solutions for its clients, she can expand her earning potential even more. And, Enrolled Agent salaries are on the rise at larger firms and corporations, too. So, if you’re just starting out as an Enrolled Agent, you can expect to make somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 annually.
The average Enrolled Agent Salary in The United States is $56,000 per year. Salaries range from $44,900 to $73,600.The average Enrolled Agent Hourly Wage is $20.00 per hour. Hourly wages range from $16.00 to $26.30.Salaries and wages depend on multiple factors including geographic location, experience, seniority, industry, education etc.
English 
Vietnamese