CPA vs EA Breakdown
“An EA is a tax surgeon, laser-focused and IRS-licensed. A CPA is a general doctor, broad skillset, but not always tax-specialized.”
We often get asked if Skender is a CPA. Where he is actually is an EA, which is an enrolled agent that is licensed directly by the IRS. Below is a quick summary of the differences between the two.
✅ Enrolled Agent (EA)
What they are:
A tax professional licensed directly by the IRS.
Strengths:
* 100% tax-focused credential.
* Authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters (audits, collections, appeals).
* Often more available and less expensive than CPAs.
* Required to complete 72 hours of continuing education every 3 years (tax-specific).
Best for:
* Individuals or business owners needing tax filings, tax planning, or IRS representation.
* People who want a specialist whose *entire world is taxes*.
✅ Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
What they are:
A professional licensed by a state board who can work in all areas of accounting, not just taxes.
Strengths:
* Broad expertise: financial statements, audits, business accounting, taxes, advisory work.
* Often used by larger businesses that need audited financials.
* Viewed as a higher-level accounting credential (but not necessarily better for taxes).
Best for:
* Companies needing audits, attestation services, or complex accounting beyond just tax.
* Situations where a full-service accounting firm is needed.
🥊 CPA vs EA — Which is better for taxes?
For accounting + tax + financial reporting, a CPA is better.
For pure tax work (filings, strategy, planning, IRS representation), an EA is often the better fit because:
* They deal ONLY in taxes.
* They are licensed by the IRS itself.
* Their continuing education is entirely tax-focused.
At Tax Experts, if you need a CPA, we can put you in contact with them if it fits your situation. However for 99% of our clients Skender and his EA designation works perfectly with our client base.
Bennett Zamani
Partners at Tax Experts LLC
Call/Text (201) 681-5633
