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1
Enrolled Agent vs CPA Which is Better?
2
The Biggest Difference Between a CPA and an EA

• The EA and CPA are both credentialed however,
  one is regulated on the state level and the other
  on the federal level.
• You must complete a minimum of 120 undergraduate
  hours and pass the AICPA administered CPA exam,
  consisting of four parts Auditing and
  Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts,
  Financial Accounting and Reporting, and
  Regulation, to become a CPA.
• An EA is a federally-licensed tax practitioner
  with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers
  before the IRS. In order for you to become an EA,
  you have to pass a three-part comprehensive
  examination (Individuals, Businesses and
  Representation, Practice, and Procedure),
  covering all aspects of the tax code or you must
  have worked at the IRS for five years in a
  position where it was required of you as part of
  your job to interpret and apply the tax code on
  an ongoing basis

3
CPA vs. EA Time Requirement Differences

• It will take about 8-9 years for you to become a
  CPA keeping in mind the requirement of college
  credit hours before you can sit for the CPA exam,
  the requirement of having worked under the direct
  supervision of a CPA before the exam, and the
  extremely low pass rates.
• It takes way less time to become an EA. Pass the
  three-part exam administered by the IRS then
  apply for the license. You could also be exempt
  from taking the exam if you have a certain
  employment history with the IRS.

4

CPA vs EA Estimated costs

• The cost of sitting for the exam depends entirely
  on the state in which you plan to be licensed.
  There is typically a registration fee and a
  separate fee for each section of the exam. If you
  must, you can also subscribe to a review course
  to help you prepare which will incur additional
  costs.
• The license itself will amount to about 150, and
  to maintain the license, you will have to take
  ongoing continuing education (CE) courses. CE
  requirements differ from state to state and are
  cyclical. If you are lucky, your employers will
  pay for the cost of CPE or licensure.
• The process for EA candidates is different and a
  lot simpler. First, they must obtain a PTIN
  (Personal Tax Identification Number) from the
  IRS, which costs 50. The cost of each exam
  section is 111.94. There is a 30 enrollment fee
  after youve passed the exam, therefore, bringing
  the total cost to 415.82. Enrolled agents must
  also take CE courses periodically.

5
CPA vs EA Career Path Differences

• You will specialize in tax issues as an enrolled
  agent. This will include preparation of taxes for
  individuals and business entities, as well as
  advising clients. You will find plentiful job
  opportunities at tax preparation franchises or
  work for a CPA.
• CPAs, on the other hand, have way more job
  opportunities at hand. CPAs can work in the
  private-sector, for the government, for
  individuals, for non-profits or be self employed

6
CPA vs EA Salary Differences

• On an average, CPAs earn more than EAs. But
  salaries vary depending on where you are on the
  career continuum.