Is there a shortage of enrolled agents?

Yes, there is a growing demand and a de facto shortage of qualified tax professionals, including Enrolled Agents (EAs), driven by increasingly complex tax laws, IRS audit backlogs, and a general decline in new accountants, creating significant opportunities for EAs who specialize in taxation. Many seasoned CPAs are retiring, and fewer new accountants are entering the field, leaving gaps that EAs are perfectly positioned to fill, especially as technology creates more demand for specialized expertise.

Will AI replace enrolled agents?

It's teaching tax bills opinion that AI is not going to replace CPAs, enrolled agents, and other licensed tax professionals but tax professionals that use AI will eventually replace tax professionals that do not.

Is getting EA worth it?

One of the greatest benefits of earning an EA credential is working with more profitable clients. Business owners, high-net-worth individuals, and self-employed professionals prefer credentialed experts for their complex tax needs.

Is an EA better than a CPA?

Neither an EA (Enrolled Agent) nor a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is inherently "better"; they're better suited for different needs, with EAs specializing exclusively in taxation and IRS representation (offering deep tax expertise and audit help) and CPAs offering a broader scope including auditing, financial planning, and general accounting, though both can do tax work. Choose an EA for focused tax help and IRS issues; choose a CPA for comprehensive accounting, auditing, and broader business advisory services. 

How hard is getting an EA?

The EA Exam, also known as the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE Exam), is one of the easier tax professional credential exams, with about a 70% national pass rate. Compare that to the CPA and CMA Exams, which are both closer to 50% on average.

Is Becoming an EA Still Worth It?

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like partner at a large firm, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) in a major corporation, or owning a highly successful practice, often involving specialization, significant experience (20+ years), business development, and strategic leadership rather than just basic accounting tasks. It's a long, challenging journey involving high leverage and significant responsibility, not typical for entry-level or standard roles. 

Are enrolled agents in demand?

If you work in tax, and you want to build your career, consider earning your Enrolled Agent credential. Increased IRS audits, changes in tax law, and economic uncertainty have led to a growing demand for EAs and holding it broadens your opportunities and increases your earning potential.

What is the IRS 7 year rule?

The IRS 7-year rule generally refers to the extended time you need to keep tax records if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or a bad debt deduction, giving you up to 7 years from the due date of the return to claim a refund or credit for those specific issues. While the standard record retention is usually 3 years, this 7-year period ensures you have documentation for these specific, potentially complex, financial losses. 

What is the $600 rule in the IRS?

The IRS $600 rule refers to changes in reporting requirements for third-party payment apps (like Venmo, PayPal) under Form 1099-K, originally set by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to lower the threshold from $20,000/200+ transactions to just over $600 for any amount of transactions, but this was delayed for tax years 2022 and 2023, with a gradual phase-in planned, though recent legislation (like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025) aims to revert to the old $20,000/200 threshold, creating confusion, but generally, you must report income from goods/services regardless of the form. 

Is EA a dead-end job?

No, an executive assistant (EA) role is not inherently a dead-end job; it offers significant growth, learning, and potential to pivot into various fields like project management, HR, or even C-suite support, but its trajectory depends on individual goals, proactivity, and leveraging the unique insights gained into an organization's operations. While some use it as a stepping stone, high-level EAs can build lucrative, long-term careers, especially with evolving responsibilities in technology and strategic support. 

Why is EA laying off employees?

Electronic Arts

The layoffs were aimed at moving away from projects that did not contribute to EA's strategy, reviewing its real estate footprint, and restructuring some teams.

Are enrolled agents respected?

The terms “EA” (enrolled agent) and “CPA” (certified public accountant) often come up. Both are respected credentials, serve different purposes and carry unique benefits.

Is accounting dying out?

Accounting Today reported that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% decline in bookkeeping, accounting and auditing jobs by 2023 due to technological advancements. These factors make students question the long-term viability of accounting as a career.

Is CPA still worth it in 2025?

Yes, the CPA is still highly worth it in 2025, offering significant advantages like higher earning potential, enhanced job security due to industry shortages, and access to leadership roles, acting as a career catalyst even with AI, because it validates specialized expertise and ethical commitment, opening doors in public accounting, corporate finance, and advisory, though its primary value shifts slightly depending on your specific career path. 

Which 3 jobs will survive AI?

Which Jobs Are Safest from AI and Automation?

• Health Care: Nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors.
• Education: Teachers, instructors, and school administrators.
• Creative: Musicians, artists, writers, and journalists.
• Personal Services: Hairdressers, cosmetologists, personal trainers, and coaches.

Does IRS forgive after 10 years?

Yes, the IRS generally has 10 years from the tax assessment date to collect a debt, known as the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED), after which they lose the legal ability to collect, but this clock can be paused (tolled) or extended by actions like filing for bankruptcy, Offer in Compromise (OIC) requests, installment agreements, or extended time outside the U.S., meaning many debts last longer than 10 years. 

What is the 27 month rule for IRS?

In general, an organization must file its exemption application within 27 months from the end of the month in which it was formed. If it does so, it may be recognized as exempt back to the date of formation.

What are the red flags for IRS audits?

Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit. The IRS mostly audits tax returns of those earning more than $200,000 and corporations with more than $10 million in assets.

Why are bookkeepers declining?

Bookkeeping and accounting roles are declining primarily due to automation and AI handling routine tasks, combined with a shrinking talent pipeline caused by an aging workforce, fewer students choosing the major, and the profession's difficulty (like the 150-hour rule for CPAs) and perceived lack of innovation compared to tech fields, leading to lower appeal, burnout, and slower salary growth.
 

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Yes, a CPA can definitely make $300k, especially in senior leadership roles like Partner, CFO, or VP in Big Four firms or large corporations, or by owning a successful firm, though it typically requires significant experience (often 10+ years) and strategic career moves into high-demand areas like tax, consulting, or corporate finance. While not the norm for entry-level or mid-level roles, hitting $300k is achievable by focusing on specialized skills, experience, and high-impact positions.
 

Why would someone want to be an EA?

One of the most compelling aspects of being an EA is the opportunity for personal and professional growth. In this role, you're constantly challenged to adapt, problem-solve, and multitask in high-pressure environments.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are concentrated in medicine, finance, law, and high-level tech/executive roles, including specialist doctors (surgeons, anesthesiologists), C-suite executives, investment bankers, partners in big law firms, senior tech leaders (VPs/Directors of Engineering), management consultants (Partners), private equity executives, and top-tier sales directors, often involving significant bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing. Some roles, like senior airline pilots or successful entrepreneurs/tradespeople, can also reach this level without traditional degrees. 

Will accounting be replaced by AI?

Will AI replace accountants? Not entirely—but it will change accounting. Firms that embrace AI and technology will attract forward-thinking clients and top talent. Accountants who pair their expertise with AI tools will stay ahead of the curve.

What salary to afford a $1,000,000 house?

To afford a $1 million house, you generally need an annual salary between $200,000 and $300,000, depending heavily on your down payment, credit, and other debts, but experts suggest aiming for around $250,000+ for comfort with a 20% down payment. A common guideline (28% rule) suggests your total housing costs shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income, while some lenders look at a 36-45% debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, meaning a larger salary is needed for higher payments.