About Ken
Ken J. Crowder EA
A licensed Enrolled Agent with 30+ years of experience in representing taxpayers before the I.R.S. Ken Crowder is also a member of the NAEA. (The following is more information about what an Enrolled Agent is, and is quoting the NAEA.)
My name is Ken Crowder, and I am a licensed Enrolled Agent. I am also the owner and president of Crowder Accounting LLC, an accounting firm based in St. Charles, MO. I have over 30 years of experience in providing accounting and tax services, representing clients to the IRS, and advising individuals and businesses on their unique business and tax situations.
1986 – 1991: Employee at Citibank/Citicorp. In my first year, I moved up through several lower ranks. In 1987 I was offered a promotion to auditor. This job required a college degree. I was offered the position with the agreement that I would go to college, and they would pay for it.
1987 – 1992: Attended Maryville University at night and on the weekends.
1989: I was working as Senior Auditor for Citibank/Citicorp and started preparing Tax Returns as a side business. In this year I represented my first client before the IRS, Hamilton Homes. Joe Hamilton was my second cousin and in trouble with the IRS. After successfully representing Hamilton Homes, I switched my major from Finance to Accounting at Maryville University.
1992: I graduated from Maryville University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
1992 – 1993: I was corporate controller of AJY Management, Inc. We developed, owned, and managed rural low-income housing in several states. Our Maintenance Office was in Robinson IL
1989 – 1993: During this time, with everything else I was doing, I worked part-time for three different accounting firms. This gave me experience in starting my firm.
1993: I started and worked full-time at my first accounting firm KAC LLC. I was eager and motivated. I believed that you had to spend money to make money.
1994 – 2001: At night and on weekends I worked as a dealer in a riverboat casino. During the day I ran my accounting firm.
2000: I renamed my firm Crowder Accounting.
2001: I left the casino to give 100% of my time to building my firm.
1989 – present: Over the years I have represented hundreds before the IRS. I have represented every entity from individuals to multimillion-dollar corporations including Medical Practices, and Law Firms. I have been the accountant and advisor to countless businesses. I have worked with several Real Estate brokerages, Property management companies, Real Estate Developers, Property Managers, and Contractors. Two Partnerships that I was the accountant for were A&L Properties LP and Downstate Properties LP. These partnerships developed and managed rental property around Robinson IL.
What is an Enrolled Agent?
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals.
What does the term “Enrolled Agent” mean?
“Enrolled” means to be licensed to practice by the federal government, and “Agent” means authorized to appear in the place of the taxpayer at the IRS. Only Enrolled Agents, attorneys, and CPAs may represent taxpayers before the IRS. The Enrolled Agent profession dates back to 1884 when, after questionable claims had been presented for Civil War losses, Congress acted to regulate persons who represented citizens in their dealings with the U.S. Treasury Department.
How does one become an Enrolled Agent?
The license is earned in one of two ways, by passing a comprehensive examination which covers all aspects of the tax code, or having worked at the IRS for five years in a position which regularly interpreted and applied the tax code and its regulations. All candidates are subjected to a rigorous background check conducted by the IRS.
How can Enrolled Agent help me?
Enrolled Agents advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and any entities with tax-reporting requirements. Enrolled Agents’ expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables them to effectively represent taxpayers audited by the IRS.
Privilege and the Enrolled Agent
The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 allow federally authorized practitioners (those bound by the Department of Treasury’s Circular 230 regulations) a limited client privilege. This privilege allows confidentiality between the taxpayer and the Enrolled Agent under certain conditions. The privilege applies to situations in which the taxpayer is being represented in cases involving audits and collection matters. It is not applicable to the preparation and filing of a tax return. This privilege does not apply to state tax matters, although a number of states have an accountant-client privilege.
Are Enrolled Agents required to take continuing professional education?
In addition to the stringent testing and application process, the IRS requires Enrolled Agents to complete 72 hours of continuing professional education, reported every three years, to maintain their Enrolled Agent status. NAEA members are obligated to complete 90 hours per three year reporting period. Because of the knowledge necessary to become an Enrolled Agent and the requirements to maintain the license, there are only about 46,000 practicing Enrolled Agents.
What are the differences between Enrolled Agents and other tax professionals?
Only Enrolled Agents are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer before the IRS. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation. Enrolled Agents are the only taxpayer representatives who receive their right to practice from the U.S. government (CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states).
What are the differences between Enrolled Agents and other tax professionals?
Only Enrolled Agents are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in matters of taxation before they may represent a taxpayer before the IRS. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all Enrolled Agents specialize in taxation. Enrolled Agents are the only taxpayer representatives who receive their right to practice from the U.S. government (CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states).
Are Enrolled Agents bound by any ethical standards?
Enrolled Agents are required to abide by the provisions of the Department of Treasury’s Circular 230, which provides the regulations governing the practice of Enrolled Agents before the IRS. NAEA members are also bound by a Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct of the Association.
Why should I choose an Enrolled Agent who is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)?
The principal concern of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and its members is honest, intelligent and ethical representation of the financial position of taxpayers before the governmental agencies. Members of NAEA must fulfill continuing professional education requirements that exceed the IRS’ required minimum. In addition, NAEA members adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct of the Association, as well as the Treasury Department’s Circular 230 regulations. NAEA members belong to a strong network of experienced, well-trained tax professionals who effectively represent their clients and work to make the tax code fair and reasonably enforced.