Accounting - Taxation for Enrolled Agents

The curriculum prepares students to become licensed IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) certified tax preparers with actual job experience gained during the program. This certificate and training are relevant to positions as tax professionals. Knowledge of tax software is necessary which will be gained during the program. Potential careers include preparing tax returns, advising on tax-related matters, and providing representation before the IRS. EAs can work with corporations, individuals, trusts, non-profits, or a variety of other entities.

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.

To obtain an IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) license, applicants need to apply for a PTIN number from the IRS, pass all three parts of the EA examination at a Prometric office within three years, and pass a suitability check, which will include tax compliance to ensure that applicants have filed all necessary tax returns and there are no outstanding tax liabilities; and criminal background.

There will be about 10 enrollment completer projections.

 For the first time, the Pasadena City College is proposing a Certificate in Taxation. The goal of the program is to support students to gain the skills necessary to enter into a taxation career by passing all three parts of the IRS Enrolled Agent professional license examination. Also, skills learned in the Certificate can help students leverage their taxation mindset and become an income tax or payroll tax professional as an employee or opening their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll office.

The actual job experience will be provided by the PCC-VITA which is an IRS-sponsored program that certifies volunteer tax preparers for the tax season to prepare income tax returns for low to moderate-income taxpayers in the community. The tax software will be provided by the IRS. No specific other resources are needed for this program.

Three types of professionals can represent their clients in front of the IRS for any tax issues, attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents (EAs). This certificate program will provide an opportunity for students to earn their EA license within 12 months and enter the workforce with a professional license.

The curriculum is aimed at students passing the national IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) license exams administered by the IRS at any nationwide Prometric office. This Federal EA professional license from the IRS combined with Pasadena City College’s Certificate in Taxation can be a vital point of reference for their resume and future professional career. For more information on this program go to https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent

This Certificate will increase the median earnings and/or the regional living wage for students who exit college. Furthermore, this program will align all degrees and certificates with appropriate workforce demand. Also, it will increase work-based learning opportunities where students get actual job experience while gaining taxation knowledge to pass all three parts of the IRS EA license exams.

This certificate program will prepare students within twelve months to become licensed tax professionals and work with a CPA or a tax attorney in the same office. 

The Student Learning Outcomes for the program are as follows:

• Construct an Individual Tax Return for the IRS’ Enrolled Agent, Taxation of Individuals, part 1 exam.
• Formulate a Business Tax Return for the IRS’ Enrolled Agent, Taxation of Businesses, part 2 exam.
• Investigate the Ethical issues and responsibilities of an Enrolled Agent for the IRS’ Enrolled Agent, Representation, Procedures and Ethics, part 3 exam.

 The overall goal is for students to have enough knowledge to pursue a taxation career successfully upon completion by passing all three parts of the IRS’ Enrolled Agent exams. This Certificate is not necessarily intended for students seeking to earn a degree or to transfer. It is designed for students who are looking forward to learning taxation of individuals and businesses skills so they can improve their knowledge or are looking to enter the workforce immediately upon completion by earning an IRS Federal Enrolled Agent (EA) license as a tax professional. 

Certificate of Achievement at Pasadena City College

Accounting – Certified Bookkeeper

Tax Studies 0502.10 Related Certificates

East Los Angeles College

• Tax Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement 17 units

Glendale Community College

• Accounting Certificate 34-35 units

Los Angeles City College

• Computerized Bookkeeping and Accounting Technician Certificate 20 units
• Income Tax (SC) Skills Certificate 9 units

Los Angeles Pierce College

• Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement 16.0 Units

Mt. San Antonio College

• Accounting - Tax Preparation (Skills Certificate E0433) 6 Units
• Accounting - Bookkeeping (Certificate E0504) 11 Units

Santa Monica College

• Small Business Tax Practice, Certificate of Achievement 17 Units

We believe in having an annual enrollment of more than 10 for this new certificate program at PCC.

Not applicable.