At a time when the demand for tax professionals continues to grow, it’s never been more important to introduce young people to the often-overlooked path of becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) and the wide range of opportunities available within the field.  

That’s exactly what Valaise Smith set out to do when she accepted an invitation to speak at Career Day at Fisher Magnet Academy in Detroit, Michigan. As the founder of Tried and True Financial Services, an Enrolled Agent, and a member of NAEA, Valaise is no stranger to entrepreneurship or community impact.   

This opportunity marked her first time stepping into a middle school classroom to talk about what it means to be an EA. Which, as you can imagine, meant getting crafty and creative with the message.   

Over the course of one school day, she spoke to eight classes of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, sharing her personal story, explaining everything there is to know about the EA credential, and planting seeds for the future. 

With the help of NAEA’s outreach materials and a presentation tailored to meet students where they are, Valaise brought the profession to life in a relatable, engaging way. She explained how EAs serve as “tax superheroes”—fighting for the taxpayer, helping them navigate the world of taxes, and protecting them from their “evil tax villains.” She talked about flexibility, the ability to be your own boss, and the doors the EA credential can open. 

What made her visit so impactful was the connection she created. Students saw someone who looked like them, who came from their community, and who had built a successful career on a path they may have never considered. Much like the superheroes she described, Valaise became one for these students. For many, it was the first time they realized a career in tax could be within reach. 

Valaise isn’t the only one advocating for Enrolled Agents.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Enrolled Agents

Across the country, Enrolled Agents are stepping into classrooms, auditoriums, and online spaces to raise awareness about the profession. Earlier this year, NAEA Education Foundation Trustee Koreen Jervis, NYSSEA President Dan Coccia, and Board Member Lisa Pelletier visited the Brockport School of Business and Management to speak with college students about the value of the EA credential.

Others are mentoring students, teaching classes, and leveraging digital platforms to reach even wider audiences. 

Take “America’s Favorite EA” Timalyn S. Bowens, who is building momentum through her YouTube channel and newly launched podcast. She’s reaching thousands of aspiring tax professionals and curious learners with clear, practical content that makes the EA path feel not just accessible, but a community people want to be part of.

Another standout in the EA community is Ruben Valdes, whose advocacy and educational content have made a meaningful impact in the Latin community. Ruben is a United States Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP), which means he has earned the right to represent taxpayers in U.S. Tax Court—an impressive example of the different paths and areas of expertise available to tax professionals. His social media channels are filled with gratitude and engagement from people he’s empowered to understand the tax profession in a whole new way. 

NAEA’s EA Journal is another platform helping amplify the profession as being subject experts and it’s being noticed. The Journal was recently honored with a Thirty-Seventh Annual APEX Award for Publication Excellence in the Magazines, Journals & Tabloids category. This publication features timely, relevant content written by EAs, CPAs, attorneys, PhDs, and other respected voices. One of the latest issues spotlighted the article “Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Authority in Tax Practice” by George Dandridge Jr., EA—someone helping bring the EA profession into the future.

The NAEA Education Foundation continues to play a major role in building the EA pipeline—supporting individuals as they work toward the credential and helping them grow once they’ve earned it. The Foundation offers a range of scholarships to support EAs at every stage of their journey, from college-level scholarships to assistance with the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE). It’s all part of their mission to invest in the future of the profession. 

The Foundation also provides access to the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI), which equips EAs with the skills and experience needed to represent clients before the IRS. This flagship program wouldn’t be what it is today without leaders like Clarice Landreth, EA, who helped shape and grow it with the next generation of tax professionals in mind. 

The culmination of all these efforts is helping to grow recognition of the Enrolled Agent credential as a respected and viable career path. 

 

The future of our profession depends on the conversations we start today.

Early exposure—whether in middle school, high school, or college—helps introduce the EA profession as something credible, rewarding, and attainable. And connecting with mid-career professionals who are looking for a meaningful career shift is just as important. Whether it’s through social media, YouTube, podcasts, classrooms, or conferences, these touchpoints spark curiosity, open doors, and create change.

Tax laws are becoming more complex, and the need for knowledgeable representation is rising. It starts with making the Enrolled Agent credential more visible. That’s why, at NAEA, we continue to invest not only in advocacy and education—but also in building awareness by empowering the Enrolled Agents within our community to share their stories and showcase the value of the EA path. 

If you’re passionate about the profession and want to help shape its future, we encourage you to get involved. Reach out to a local school. Partner with a college business program. Host a community info session. Share your story online. And always sign your name with the EA credential at the end of it. 

Just do it. You never know who you might inspire.