Nissen and Associates is proud to announce that Michelle Long is a licensed Enrolled Agent (EA).
Having completed her exams earlier this year, Michelle received her EA certificate in April 2022 and we could not be happier for her! Congratulations Michelle!
Michelle’s responsibilities include business, individual and non-profit tax return preparation, auditing, and bookkeeping. She is passionate about horses, youth and the PNW. Michelle also volunteers extensively with Whatcom County’s Youth as the High School Equestrian Coach (6 years) and 4H Horse Leader (15 years).
Michelle enjoys supporting her son as he competes in Rodeo. In her “free time”, she goes trail riding with friends and family, walks the trails with her dog Cheyenne (and family too), and kayaks. If she’s not outside playing, you will find her in a recliner knitting and watching a good show.
Michelle came into the accounting and tax preparation world through a weird twist in fate. Prior to her life in taxes, Michelle worked over twenty years in the veterinary world as a Vet Assistant. As shown through her passion for horses, active volunteerism and love for the collective “office dogs”, animals continue to be an integral part of her everyday life. Earning her EA license proves dedication and a commitment to providing the most knowledgeable service possible for her clients. She is thrilled to support her clients in their tax situations in this new chapter along her journey.
What is a Licensed Enrolled Agent?
A licensed enrolled agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation. They are empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to taxpayer representation, enrolled agents often provide tax consultation services and prepare a wide range of federal and state tax returns.
Licensed Enrolled Agents are America’s Tax Experts.
Enrolled Agents (EAs) are federally licensed tax practitioners who may represent taxpayers before the IRS in any state. EAs are authorized to advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for a variety of entities including:
- individuals
- partnerships
- corporations
- estates
- trusts
- and any entities with tax-reporting requirements.
Enrolled agents are the only federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation. This means they have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS when it comes to collections, audits, and appeals.
Like a CPA, an EA has to pass a set of exams and do CPE to maintain their license. However, there are three main differences:
- The EA exam is 100% taxes. The EA Exam includes the following:
- The Special Enrollment Exam, deals with individuals
- Part 2: encompasses everything businesses,
- Part 3: dives into everything having to do with rules and regulations.
- EA’s Continuing Professional Education includes 72 hours every 3 years and must be tax-related. The exception is 2 hours a year must be spent in ethics. This works out to be 24 hours a year spent on education.
- EAs aren’t required to know GAAP. Many do, anyway, because the obvious synergy between bookkeeping and taxes is really hard to ignore.
Again, we are so proud of Michelle for her accomplishment. And we are delighted to be able to offer EA level professionals to serve our clients here at Nissen & Associates.
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