Promoting the Enrolled Agent Career Path

Recruit leaders & develop a plan Network with your local educational institutions Get your members involved through see prep, job fairs, internships and other outreach programs

Taking the time to develop a plan for implementation and support will ensure the long-term success for the relationships you create

what are your resources? Does your Affiliate have paid staff? What is your volunteer pool like? What level of a program can your affiliate support? Is your local membership excited about this?

Establishing the connections needed to provide education opportunities

Establishing a contact Who do you know that might have a connection with an institution of interest? ▫Client list ▫Family ▫Friends ▫Colleagues ▫You never know who may be able to make a helpful introduction. Check the School’s website and find the most likely contact Associate Dean Head of the Continuing Education Department Business/accounting department Chairperson

Introducing yourself Pick up the Phone - Call rather than sending an introductory If applicable, emphasize any teaching you do, even if it is not at the school in question Ask for a face to face meeting Follow up the call with an introductory information packet (NAEA provides pamphlets and other materials for your use)

First Meeting Agenda Discuss what an Enrolled Agent is Discuss why this is an excellent career path ▫Many EA firms will only hire EAs ▫Many CPA firms seek EAs to hire for tax work ▫EAs are certified Federally, rather than state by state Discuss how one becomes an Enrolled Agent Discuss the benefits to the college

SEE Prep through Colleges Greater visibility to the EA career path Gives more professional traction to the designation Provides classroom experience and networking opportunity to prospective EAs Offers an alternative to an Accounting degree or certification Opportunity to specialize early in their career

Career Appeal Year-round profession (contrary to popular belief) A four-year degree is not required for tax preparation and representation, so lower education costs Enrolled Agents are still relatively under-recognized, so the designation continues to be elite. Competitive Salary Career PathAverage Salary Accountant$58,000 Certified Public Accountant$80,000 Enrolled Agent$81,000

Benefits to the college Financial: Popular to non-college enrollees, Worker-retraining programs and those seeking a second career. Once student is associated with the college, they may wish to transfer to a college program. Course Materials: NAEA has many great educators and partnerships with Gleim and Fast Forward Academy. Assess which SEE PREP course offering is the better fit for the college Discuss how this course offering could be delivered at the college (e.g., semester long) and what the students would need to do to work towards their EA license.

Local Enrolled Agent Participation Emphasize that your local EAs are a valuable resource: They can be available to teach the actual course (Be sure to research the school’s requirements before you offer someone to teach) Act in an advisory role to the college faculty. speak with the students at the beginning of the semester to discuss the EA career path. Speak to the students on the first day of their class: Financial Accounting Taxation Bookkeeping Local EAs can participate in area Job and College Fairs

Contact Maintenance After the program is established, continue to check in and see how you can help. If this is problematic because of resources, NAEA staff may be available to assist (check with NAEA office). Keep records of all contact to insure continuity of the relationship as new volunteers get involved. Put together a short success story to encourage other affiliates to create programs of their own.

Benefits to Affiliates Increased recognition of Enrolled Agents and NAEA Creates connections within the local community Increased membership of your affiliate (e.g. Academic Associate and New EA’s) Increased in non-dues revenue from delivering SEE courses Creates the member benefit of an excellent internship & employee pool of new professionals who want to be our field

Getting your local Enrolled Agents involved in the education process

Benefits of having an intern Some to help you who has a genuine interest in tax work and the EA career Receive support from the intern’s college internship program Improve your own knowledge by teaching Having short-term help to offset a large workload Giving back to the community and promoting your profession Networking with next generation of EA’s & local educational institutions

Gauging your intern fit What duties do you need performed? How many hours per week do you need? Would a paid or unpaid internship better fit your office needs? ▫Unpaid interns will not put a strain on your budget, but generally have more limitations ▫Paid interns are free to take on a wider range of duties Be prepared to set aside some time for your intern

Unpaid Internships Are required to follow stringent guidelines by the US Department of Labor. 1.The internship is similar to that which would be given in an educational environment; 2.The internship is for the benefit of the intern; 3.The internship does not displace a regular employee and works under close observation; 4.The internship provider derives no immediate benefit from the intern; in fact, its operations may be impeded; 5.The intern is not entitled to a job at the completion of the internship; and 6.The employer and the trainee understand that the trainee is not entitled to wages; however, a stipend may be permitted.

Unpaid Internships continued Unpaid internships are often offered through a college internship or job placement program ▫Internal guidelines and support for complying to federal regulations and for ▫General intern management support VERY important to know your states guidelines for unpaid internships: ▫Some states say NO home offices ▫Some states have rules about an intern being transported by the employer

paid Internships Not governed by the same stringent regulations Gives you and your intern more freedom in establishing the hours and duties that will help your practice the most Subject to the same state and federal employment regulations as any other employees Can be a stepping stone for students who do not qualify under the unpaid internship guidelines Depending on your state, may be your best option

Establishing Intern Qualifications What experience should your intern have before they start? Bookkeeping? A tax course? Decide whether or not you want to do formal testing (of skills, personality, IQ, etc.). While this testing often involves a fee, it may be worth it to you. What sort of hours and availability are you looking for? Be sure to conduct thorough interviews.

AffiliateCollege CaliforniaSan Mateo Community College, Golden Gate University Florida Indiana New York

Getting involved in the colleges is a great way to: Enhance recognition of EA’s Generate revenue for your affiliate Provide your membership with opportunities to meet/hire the next generation of the Enrolled Agent.