CPA and EA: Is Having Both Worth It?

Yes—having both a CPA and an EA can be worth it, especially if you want a tax-focused career with broader credibility. But for many professionals, one credential is enough depending on the work they want to do.

CPA vs EA: What’s the real difference?

A CPA is a state-issued license with a broader scope. CPAs are commonly associated with tax, accounting, audit, financial reporting, and advisory work. If you want maximum flexibility across accounting and finance, the CPA usually carries wider recognition.

An EA is a federal credential issued by the IRS. It is specifically centered on taxation and gives you unlimited practice rights before the IRS. That means EAs can represent taxpayers before the IRS on matters such as audits, collections, and appeals.

So the short version is:

• CPA = broader accounting credential
• EA = tax-specialist credential

If you already know you want to stay in tax, the EA can be highly relevant even if you are also pursuing the CPA.

When having both CPA and EA makes sense

Holding both can be useful if you want to build a career around tax preparation, planning, and representation while also benefiting from the broader market recognition of the CPA.

Having both may help when you:

• work in a tax-heavy public accounting role
• want to signal deep tax specialization
• expect to handle IRS representation matters
• may serve individuals, small businesses, and entities with complex tax issues
• want an extra credential that clearly reinforces your tax niche

For someone already pursuing the CPA and planning to go into tax, the EA can complement that path well. The CPA shows broad professional capability; the EA highlights focused tax expertise.

When it may be redundant

In some cases, adding the EA may not change much.

It may be less necessary if you:

• do little or no tax work
• mainly want the CPA for audit, reporting, controllership, or corporate accounting
• already have a strong tax role where the CPA alone covers your professional goals

The key question is not “Is one better?” but “Will the second credential help me do the work I actually want?”

If your future is clearly tax, both can make sense. If your path is broader accounting with limited tax exposure, the EA may offer less return.

Practical takeaway

If you love tax, there is a real benefit to having both a CPA and an EA—especially if you want to deepen your tax identity and work more directly with IRS matters. If your goals are outside tax, the CPA may be enough on its own.

If you’re considering the EA after the CPA, practicing exam-style tax questions can help you decide whether the content fits your career direction. Enrolled Angel at enrld.com has EA practice questions across all three exam parts, including Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.