CPA vs EA Is there any difference between a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an Enrolled Agent(EA)? Yes, the two are different in many aspects, but some people find it hard to distinguish between a CPA and an EA. A CPA has a wider role when compared to an EA. A Certified Public Accountant should have a vast knowledge of accounting, auditing, business law, personal finance and taxes. On the contrary, an Enrolled Agent has to be knowledgeable about taxes, as this is the specialty area of an EA. Another difference that can be seen between a CPA and an EA, is that the former has the right to prepare and sign financial statements, whereas an EA does not enjoy this right. Unlike an EA, a Certified Public Accountant can do financial statement audits. In regards to the jurisdiction, a CPA falls under the state jurisdiction. A CPA may act only for tax payers in the states specified by the jurisdiction. On the other hand, an EA can practise in any state. Well, another difference that can be seen between a Certified Public Accountant and an Enrolled Agent, is their education and exams. An individual should posses a degree to complete a CPA examination. The CPA examination includes four papers: Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulation. An individual can become an EA in two ways. An individual can become an EA if he has worked for the IRS for five years, or if he has taken the Special Enrolment Examination, which consists of three parts. The first part consists of questions on tax codes for individuals, the second part on tax codes for business entities, and the last part on Circular 230 and the Treasury Department guide. Summary: 1. A Certified Public Accountant should have a vast knowledge of accounting, auditing, business law, personal finance and taxes. On the contrary, an Enrolled Agent has to be knowledgeable about taxes. 2. Unlike an EA, a Certified Public Accountant can handle financial statement audits. 3. A CPA has the right to prepare and sign financial statements, whereas an EA does not enjoy this right. 4. A CPA can act only for tax payers in the states specified by the jurisdiction. On the other hand, an EA can practise in any state. 5. An individual can complete a CPA examination, which consists of four papers. An individual can become an EA if he has worked for the IRS for five years, or by taking the Special Enrolment Examination, which consists of three parts. Read more: Difference Between CPA and EA | Difference Between | CPA vs EA differencebetween.net/business/finance-business-2/difference-between-cpa-and-ea/#ixzz37SHZ15jA
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:10:00 +0000
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