The Enrolled Agent Advocate

The Enrolled Agent Advocate is the go-to podcast for EAs and tax professionals looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving tax industry. We elevate the EA credential, build a strong community, and showcase the value EAs bring. Each episode delivers IRS updates, regulatory changes, practice management tips, and expert insights to empower tax pros at any stage. Stay informed, inspired, and ahead with The EA Advocate.

The Enrolled Agent Advocate is a business podcast hosted by National Association of Enrolled Agents, with 37 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

National Association of Enrolled Agents hosts The Enrolled Agent Advocate, a business show with 37 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #33

  The EA Pipeline: Why Demand Is Surging and How Technology Is Changing the Game

  Aug 17, 202647 min

  What does it really take to become an Enrolled Agent, and why are more people than ever pursuing the credential? In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate , host Brandy Spears sits down with Sean Mullen , Student Coaching Lead for Surgent's Enrolled Agent Exam Prep Program. With over 35 years in the exam prep industry, starting in the days of 5.25-inch floppy disks, Sean has witnessed the evolution of the profession firsthand. Sean and Brandy explore what it really takes to become an EA, breaking down the study strategies and coaching philosophies that help candidates succeed. They dig into why demand for the credential continues to grow, from career-changers and seasoned preparers to a wave of international professionals. They also examine how technology is changing professional education, with adaptive learning that cuts study time to just 150 total hours. And perhaps most importantly, they discuss what expanding access to the EA credential, including growing interest from countries like India, could mean for the future of tax practice. Is it a threat or an opportunity? Sean makes the case that global growth strengthens the profession, fills a critical labor shortage, and allows U.S. EAs to focus on the lucrative representation work they're trained to do. Whether you're considering the EA credential, coaching others through it, or simply curious about where the profession is headed, this episode is packed with insight and practical advice. In This Episode: [00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate [00:51] Meet Sean Mullen [02:01] Starting out in Denver and the early days of computer-based exam prep [04:04] Who pursues the EA credential today and how that's changed [06:20] The philosophy behind small-steps studying [08:41] How PSI testing and remote access are reshaping who can sit for the exam [09:10] The explosive demand for the EA exam in India [10:55] Inside Surgent's cohort-based coaching model with NAEA [15:48] The emotional hurdles candidates face and how to overcome them [17:34] What separates students who finish from those who don't [19:41] Why international interest in the EA credential is surging [21:20] Outsourcing, overseas staff, and what it means for U.S. EAs [25:29] The looming retirement wave and the shrinking EA pipeline [27:28] How AI is changing what skills matter most for future EAs [30:37] Adaptive learning vs. traditional, linear studying [33:20] Surgent's pass guarantee and cohort success stories [34:26] Building a career after earning the credential [36:12] Why the EA credential remains one of the profession's best-kept secrets [39:35] What excites Sean most about the next decade of the profession [42:33] Sean's advice to every aspiring enrolled agent [44:06] Closing thoughts and listener takeaways Our Guest Sean Mullen is Surgent’s Senior Director of Strategic Business Partnerships. With over 35 years’ experience in the Enrolled Agent Exam Prep industry, Sean oversees student coaching for Surgent’s Exam Prep product line. Using a “small steps” approach that embraces Surgent’s adaptive learning technology, Sean helps students to create manageable study plans to work within their busy schedules, helping them to prepare for and pass their exams without having to put life on hold. Sean studied Small Business Administration at Northern Arizona University and holds a post-grad certificate in Total Quality Management from the University of Phoenix. Sean lives in Colorado with his wife Kim and is a father of four as well as a grandfather. Resources and Links EA Advocate podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6WCTLcpbEq2stMNvGI6LfL Brandy Spears LinkedIn Sean Mullen Linkedin Surgent Website Enrolled Agent Exam Prep NAEA Website Associate Membership (includes free Part 1 of Surgent's EA Review) Discount Code for New Members: EAONLY1 – $50 off

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  Episode #32

  A Leap from the Dominican Republic to Taxpayer Advocacy with Franklyn Bratini, EA

  Jul 24, 202647 min

  In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, Brandy Spears sits down with Franklyn Bratini , EA, NTPI Fellow, founder of Bratini Tax Relief, taxpayer advocate and president of the Orlando Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents. Franklyn shares his journey from earning an accounting degree in the Dominican Republic and working for 12 years as an auditor to rebuilding his career after moving to the United States. He explains how preparing a return for a single mother sparked his passion for helping taxpayers, and how being unable to represent a client during an IRS business audit pushed him to earn the EA credential. Despite English being his second language, Franklyn passed all three parts of the EA exam on his first attempt and transformed his tax preparation office into a representation and resolution firm. The conversation covers mentorship, EA awareness, AI, cybersecurity, tax reform, and the future of taxpayer representation. Franklyn explains why AI should support rather than replace professional judgment, why its answers must be verified, and why tax professionals should not wait to become enrolled agents. Why Listen How Franklyn rebuilt his career in the United StatesWhy an IRS audit pushed him to become an EAHow the credential transformed his practiceWhy mentorship matters to the professionHow EAs should use and verify AIWhy cybersecurity must remain a priorityWhat changing tax laws mean for clients In This Episode : [00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate [00:00:36] Meet Franklyn Bratini [00:03:44] From the Dominican Republic to the United States [00:05:21] Comparing two different tax systems[00:08:24] The return that sparked his passion [00:11:00] The IRS audit that changed his career [00:12:28] How the EA credential transformed his firm [00:14:05] Building awareness of enrolled agents [00:15:13] Mentorship and the next generation [00:16:49] The promises and risks of AI [00:20:04] Verifying AI with official tax sources [00:21:40] Cybersecurity and taxpayer data [00:23:48] Why AI could make EAs more valuable [00:26:45] Navigating major tax reform [00:27:53] Key provisions that caught his attention [00:31:08] The tax credit impact on ITIN families [00:34:36] Tax planning conversations clients need [00:36:49] The future of representation [00:39:07] Preparing for the EA exam [00:42:14] Advice for future enrolled agents [00:43:02] How to connect with Franklyn Notable Quotes “I’m serving my clients, but I need to serve my profession as well.” — Franklyn “AI should be an assistant. Professional judgment and due diligence remain our responsibility.” — Franklyn “The data means nothing if you don’t have a professional interpreting the data.” — Franklyn “If you’re passionate about the tax industry, please don’t wait as long as I did.” — Franklyn Our Guest Franklyn Bratini, EA, NTPI Fellow, is the founder of Bratini Tax Relief and a nationally recognized taxpayer advocate with more than 15 years of experience in tax preparation, IRS representation, and tax resolution. Beyond his work serving taxpayers, he has been an active supporter of the Enrolled Agent profession through his involvement with the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents (FSEA). He contributed to efforts that led the Rhode Island General Assembly to officially proclaim “Enrolled Agents Day,” recognizing the vital role Enrolled Agents play in taxpayer representation, compliance, and tax administration. Franklyn currently serves as President of the Orlando Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents (FSEA) for the 2026–2027 term and is dedicated to strengthening the EA community through leadership, education, advocacy, and professional engagement. Resources and Links EA Advocate Podcast Brandy Spears LinkedIn Franklyn Bratini LinkedIn Bratini Tax Services Website Bratini Tax Relief Instagram Florida Society of Enrolled Agents National Association of Enrolled Agents

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  The Enrolled Agent Advocate

  Think Bigger: EA Leadership, Mentorship, and AI with Raven Deerwater, EA

  Jun 23, 202650 min

  In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, Brandy Spears sits down with Raven Deerwater, EA, former president of the California Society of Enrolled Agents, NAEA governance leader, SSLA faculty member, Mentor of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and EA Idol winner. Raven’s path from Harvard, mathematics education, and university teaching to tax practice on the Mendocino Coast is anything but ordinary. He shares how a 700-page tax guide sparked his fascination with tax, why client work is deeply human, and how building trust is just as important as solving the technical puzzle. This conversation explores leadership succession, governance, mentorship, AI, education, equity, belonging, and the future of the EA profession. Raven also reflects on why professional associations are really about community, why “people are messy,” and why EAs should proudly own their role as America’s tax experts. Why Listen How a math professor became an enrolled agentWhy tax season felt like “Christmas” instead of chaosWhat professional associations get wrong about leadershipWhy governance work lets members thriveHow AI can help without replacing human judgmentWhy mentorship is chosen, not assignedWhy EAs need confidence without “little brother syndrome” In This Episode: [00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate [00:00:49] Meet Raven Deerwater: EA, educator, mentor, and leadership voice [00:03:35] From Harvard math and economics to teaching [00:05:31] The 700-page tax guide that changed everything [00:06:42] Why the EA credential offered a direct path into tax [00:07:18] What math students and tax clients have in common [00:09:33] Why tax is deeply human work [00:12:17] Leadership succession and volunteer engagement [00:13:42] What effective association leadership really requires [00:15:32] Why governance is the foundation of a healthy profession [00:19:37] Common mistakes new volunteer leaders make [00:22:18] Why mentorship matters in the EA community [00:24:39] AI, automation, remote practice, and the future of tax work [00:28:12] Where technology helps and where human judgment still wins [00:30:49] Why communication skills are becoming essential for EAs [00:33:11] Benford’s Law, ethics, and IRS audit selection [00:38:38] Racial amity, difficult conversations, and shared humanity [00:43:31] What Raven hopes his legacy will be [00:46:49] The EA profession’s official anthem Our Guest Raven Deerwater Experiences at NAEA and affiliates: North Bay Chapter, California Society of Enrolled Agents. President for several different terms, spanning 6-8 years Received Chapter Hall of Fame Award California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) Went directly from North Bay President to 2nd VP of CSEA Rewrote and organized the Board Policy Governance Manual 2 years later was President of CSEA. Since then have served several terms on the Board Have been the Chair of the Bylaws Committee multiple times and the Leadership Development Committee several times. Have run several Board trainings and Leadership trainings. First and only EA Idol Winner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg1_t8Sdbfw) Received the Distinguished Service Award NAEA Been a faculty member of the Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Academy since 2015. Was asked to chair the Bylaws Committee and Governance Committee. The committees combined and I was the first chair of the Bylaws and Governance Committee, which I did several times Rewrote and organized the PPM. Have been chair of Nominating Committee twice Have been chair of the Leadership Development Committee 2 or 3 times Was the lead author on “Leadership Development at NAEA: A White Paper,” Received the EA Mentor of the Year Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award Have written two or three articles for the EA Journal, favorite one was on Benford’s Law for the ethics issue Resources and Links EA Advocate podcastLink Brandy Spears LinkedIn Raven Deerwater Email: raven@taxpractitioner.com NAEA

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  The Enrolled Agent Advocate

  The Future of the Enrolled Agent Profession: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

  Jun 12, 202643 min

  In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, Brandy Spears sits down with Emily Aprea, an enrolled agent, nonprofit executive, and incoming president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents Board of Directors. Emily has spent more than 30 years in tax preparation and financial leadership, beginning with a tax course she took to better understand her own return before building a flexible practice around motherhood, single parenting, full-time work, and client service. Emily shares how the profession has evolved from paper returns and in-person meetings to client portals, IRS online accounts, transcript access, AI tools, and automation. But her message is clear: technology may make the work faster, but it will never replace judgment, empathy, or the trust clients need when tax issues get real. She explains how the EA credential gave her the ability to represent clients before the IRS, why continuing education and ethics matter, and why enrolled agents must show the public they are “above the minimum.” The conversation also explores Emily’s leadership philosophy as she prepares to step into the NAEA presidency. From servant leadership and governance to advocacy, public awareness, IRS modernization, volunteer engagement, and recruiting younger professionals, Emily makes the case for collaboration as the future of the EA profession. In This Episode: [00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate [00:00:49] Meet Emily Aprea: EA, nonprofit executive, and incoming NAEA president [00:02:23] How Emily began preparing taxes [00:03:00] Building a flexible career while raising three children [00:04:00] From paper returns to automation and AI [00:05:00] Client portals, transcripts, and IRS modernization [00:11:00] How representation changed Emily’s career path [00:12:26] Why the EA profession needs younger professionals [00:17:00] Moving from practitioner to volunteer leader [00:19:40] Why governance matters for professional associations [00:21:19] Lessons from nonprofit leadership and board service [00:26:44] Opportunities and challenges facing EAs [00:27:30] AI, IRS workforce changes, and taxpayer experience [00:30:00] Clearing up tax misinformation [00:31:50] Elevating the EA credential through public awareness remain essential [00:38:00] Emily’s legacy and theme of collaboration [00:41:15] Final thoughts on getting involved in the EA community Our Guest Emily Aprea is a tax professional with over 30 years ofexperience. Emily began preparing taxes in 1991. She became an enrolled agent in 1999. Emily joined NAEA in September 2012. Emily’s solo practice focuses on individuals andsmall businesses as well as nonprofit organizations. Emily began her volunteer work at the New Jersey Society ofEnrolled Agents in 2015 as a Director and served as Vice President from July 2020 – June 2022 and President from July 2022- June 2024. Emily is currently the President Elect of NAEA. Emily servedas a Director at NAEA from June 2024 until June 2025 when she became President Elect. Emily has served on manycommittees for NAEA including serving as Chair of NAEA’s Bylaws and GovernanceCommittee. Emily also has over 25 years of experience working fornonprofit organizations. She has worked with many boards on board development, including board assessments, leadership development, and recruitment. Emily has held volunteer committee and board leadershippositions, such as Finance Committee Member for the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and Finance Council for her local church. Emily received an MBA from Florida Institute of Technologyin Melbourne Florida, and a BS in Business Administration from the College ofSt. Elizabeth in Convent Station NJ. Emily lives in Berkeley Heights NJ with herhusband Marc D’Auria.Resources and Links EA Advocate podcast Brandy Spears LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandyspears Emily Aprea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-aprea-a59b81a/ Facebook NAEA

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  Episode #29

  Revolutionizing Tax: Leveraging AI to Transform Your Practice

  May 25, 202640 minS0

  <p>In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, Brandy Spears sits down with Dave Haase, CPA, entrepreneur, and founder of Juno, for a timely conversation about AI, automation, and the future of tax practice. Dave shares why he first saw AI as both a threat and an opportunity after watching ChatGPT complete a tax return, and how that moment pushed him to rethink the way firms handle busy work, client communication, and tax season pressure. </p><p>Dave explains why most firms are still doing the same work the same way they did 15 or 20 years ago, and why that...

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