Service, Celebration, and Evolution

As we know it, the official birthdate of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is June 27, 1972, when the founders gathered and elected the first board in Hawthorne, California. But, as NAEA member Bess Messner noted in NAEA’s 20^th anniversary book, the enrolled agent profession actually dates back to 1884 when enrolled agents (EAs) were first recognized and regulated.

From its inception, the profession was a service-based one. What began with assisting United States citizens who had property confiscated during the American Civil War eventually morphed into tax preparation and representation. It is a profession that continues to evolve. While (at times) it seems that the agencies EAs are working with are still stuck in 1972, the profession has had to adapt to an unstable business landscape, client demands and expectations, new technologies, and changing societal trends.

Effectively helping taxpayers navigate the complex and constantly changing tax landscape requires a commitment to continued learning, adherence to an ethical standard, and a desire to help others. As you enter another busy season, take a moment to reflect on these values and make a commitment to your profession: one that helps millions of people every year.

The new year often brings resolutions of professional development. The NAEA is here to help you achieve your professional success, whatever that looks like for you. Do you want to start your own practice or expand your current services? Are you in search of technology solutions to enhance your practice or are you ready to take the next step towards that special training you have been thinking about? Can you donate time to the profession by getting involved in leadership, joining a committee, or supporting advocacy efforts? Maybe you can make an investment in the future by becoming a mentor to an aspiring EA or by donating to the NAEA Education Foundation scholarship fund.

I would love to hear from you to learn more about your goals and how the NAEA can connect you with peers and tools you need to achieve them. And if you have ideas about other things we should be doing to support members, or you have skills and expertise that you are willing to share with your fellow members, I would like to hear about that, too.

As we prepare to celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we know this year will not only be one of proud reflection for our members, but it will also be one where we all look towards the future. I am excited about the possibilities of what lies ahead for the association and the profession.