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The Enrolled Agent Advocate

The Enrolled Agent Advocate

By: National Association of Enrolled Agents
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 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.National Association of Enrolled Agents Economics
Episodes
  • From Tax Firm to Tech Founder: Redefining ROI with Jackie Meyer

    From Tax Firm to Tech Founder: Redefining ROI with Jackie Meyer
    Jul 7 2025
    What happens when a tax pro stops chasing busy season and starts designing a business—and life—on her own terms?In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears talks with Dr. Jackie Meyer, a forward-thinking CPA-turned-SaaS-founder who's changing how tax professionals price, hire, lead, and live. Jackie opens up about walking away from a successful CPA firm to launch TaxPlanIQ, a tech platform that empowers advisory-first firms to price based on value—not time sheets.They unpack her proprietary ROI Method of Value Pricing™, how to attract and retain top talent in this shifting workforce, and why tackling burnout requires more than just time management. Jackie also shares a sneak peek into her upcoming book, The Balance Sheet of Life, which blends financial literacy with real-life fulfillment.Whether you're a solo EA, a firm owner, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a fresh perspective on profitability, purpose, and people.Why ListenLearn how value-based pricing can transform your firmGet real strategies for retaining top talent and fighting burnoutHear what the AICPA Accelerator is teaching tax tech innovatorsDiscover how life balance and business strategy go hand in handIn This Episode:[00:00:00] Meet Dr. Jackie Meyer: Entrepreneur, educator, disruptor[00:01:10] From CPA firm owner to tech founder[00:03:22] What is the ROI Method of Value Pricing™?[00:06:05] Burnout, boundaries, and building a better culture[00:09:30] Using advisory services to increase client value (and firm profit)[00:13:17] How TaxPlanIQ is rethinking advisory tools[00:16:08] Talent trends: What firms need to change now[00:19:42] Shifting from compliance to consulting[00:22:50] What AI can (and can’t) do for tax pros[00:25:35] Health, wealth, and the vision behind The Balance Sheet of Life[00:28:12] What Jackie wishes more EAs, CPAs, and advisors understood[00:30:00] Final thoughts: Where tax pros go from hereNotable Quotes:“We need to move from trading hours for dollars to pricing based on results.” — Dr. Jackie Meyer“Culture isn’t ping-pong tables. It’s whether your team feels heard and supported.” — Dr. Jackie Meyer“Technology isn’t the threat—burnout is. We can’t innovate if we’re exhausted.” — Dr. Jackie Meyer“Success isn’t just about what you earn, but how you feel while earning it.” — Dr. Jackie MeyerOur GuestJackie Meyer is a nationally recognized CPA, entrepreneur, and thought leader in tax innovation. A multi-year 40 Under 40 honoree by CPA Practice Advisor, she founded and sold a successful CPA firm before launching TaxPlanIQ, a tax advisory platform selected for the 2023 AICPA Accelerator Cohort. She’s the creator of the ROI Method of Value Pricing™, a speaker to tens of thousands annually, and the upcoming author of The Balance Sheet of Life, a book bridging financial strategy with personal fulfillment. Her mission: Help people thrive in health, wealth, and relationships.Resource & LinksThe Enrolled Agent Advocate PodcastThe Enrolled Agent AdvocateBrandy SpearsLinkedInWebsite - NAEA.orgJackie MeyerLinkedInWebsite - TaxPlanIQSign up for a demo and use Code "NAEA10" to receive 10% off any plan at ⁠TaxPlanIQ.com⁠. ROI method of value pricing free workbook/calculator: ⁠taxplaniq.com/roi-method⁠
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    29 mins
  • From Deloitte to Dairy-Free: Building Tax + Gelato Empires with Anisha Bailey

    From Deloitte to Dairy-Free: Building Tax + Gelato Empires with Anisha Bailey
    Jun 23 2025

    How do you go from being a single mom in corporate America to leading multiple mission-driven businesses, reshaping an industry, and serving gelato to U.S. military graduates?

    In this episode, The Enrolled Agent Advocate host Brandy Spears sits down with Anisha Bailey, an Enrolled Agent, entrepreneur, and all-around force for good. Anisha shares how she walked away from a Big Four tax job to build something bigger—something aligned with her values, her family, and her purpose.

    They talk about discovering the EA credential before it was “cool,” building a tax firm during the Great Recession, and how her journey evolved into launching Taxley Academy, the CentsableCEO mentorship platform, and a family-run dairy-free gelato brand. Oh—and she’s also the brains behind the first registered apprenticeship program for Enrolled Agents in the country.

    This conversation is part masterclass, part motivation, and a full-on blueprint for how to turn expertise into impact.


    Why Listen

    • Learn how the EA credential shaped Anisha’s career beyond tax prep

    • Hear how she built a mission-driven firm from scratch

    • Discover how she’s training the next generation of enrolled agents

    • Get inspired by her take on advocacy, entrepreneurship, and family legacy


    In This Episode:

    • [00:00:00] Meet Anisha Bailey: EA, entrepreneur, and advocate

    • [00:01:43] Discovering the EA path vs. CPA route

    • [00:04:07] Leaving Deloitte to launch a tax firm as a single mom

    • [00:06:15] Early challenges and finding clarity in tax resolution

    • [00:08:39] Passing the EA exam: Tips and mindset

    • [00:09:40] Using the EA as a brand differentiator

    • [00:10:39] Building Taxley and pivoting to education

    • [00:12:22] Creating what she wished existed: Taxley Academy

    • [00:15:31] Redefining the profession through CentsableCEO

    • [00:17:45] Why advocacy for EAs is personal and necessary

    • [00:18:48] The EA as a minimum standard for tax professionals

    • [00:20:25] Why fresh ideas and involvement in NAEA matter

    • [00:22:59] Launching SorBailee, a family-owned gelato business

    • [00:26:00] Case study: Applying tax strategy to a food startup

    • [00:34:00] Gelato for GIs: Giving back to service members

    • [00:35:43] Advice to new EAs: Do it right, not rushed

    • [00:38:00] Don't pigeonhole your EA credential—expand your possibilities

    • [00:41:00] Final insights: Serve with integrity, structure with purpose


    Notable Quotes:

    • Your tax problem is just one piece of your whole life. We’re here to fix the full picture." — Anisha Bailey

    • "Being an EA let me specialize, lead, and advocate without apology." — Anisha Bailey

    • "You're going to have a hard time doing it right—don’t make it harder by cutting corners." — Anisha Bailey

    • "Create a business that works for your life, not just your bills." — Anisha Bailey


    Our Guest

    Anisha Bailey is an Enrolled Agent, nationally recognized entrepreneur, and CEO of The Maurice Chrishon Group. She holds degrees in Marketing, Accounting, and Executive Leadership, and in 2008 left a corporate tax career at Deloitte to launch a firm rooted in taxpayer advocacy. With nearly 20 years of experience, Anisha now leads impact-driven brands—CentsableCEO, Taxley, and SorBailee—focused on empowering entrepreneurs and tax professionals alike. She is the creator of the CentsableCEO mentorship program and continues to be a vocal advocate for EAs nationwide.


    Resource & Links

    The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

    • The Enrolled Agent Advocate

    Brandy Spears

    • LinkedIn

    • Website - NAEA.org

    Anisha Bailey

    • LinkedIn

    • Website - The Maurice Chrishon Group

    • Website - Sorbailee
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    45 mins
  • Fighting State Overreach: Protecting EA Rights with Jon Call, EA

    Fighting State Overreach: Protecting EA Rights with Jon Call, EA
    Jun 9 2025
    In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears sits down with Jon Call, Enrolled Agent and founder of CLAW Tax Group. John shares his journey from a marketing professional to a respected EA and discusses the challenges he faced while defending his practice against the Minnesota Commerce Department. His battle against the state’s debt settlement classification of EAs led to significant legislative changes and a precedent for defending the rights of federally authorized tax practitioners.Jon's story is not just about overcoming legal challenges but also about his commitment to advocacy for EAs nationwide. He sheds light on how the NAEA's support played a crucial role in his fight, and shares valuable insights for EAs dealing with state-level legal challenges.Why ListenLearn how one EA's battle changed state policy, impacting all tax practitioners.Understand how federal preemption protects enrolled agents from state overreach.Discover practical tips on handling unexpected state regulatory challenges.Gain insight into the importance of advocacy within the EA community.In This Episode:[00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate[00:00:23] Meet Jon Call: From marketing to tax representation[00:01:10] Jon’s journey to becoming an EA and advocate[00:02:06] How marketing skills shaped his tax career[00:06:08] Founding Claw Tax Group: Overcoming early challenges[00:07:58] Earning NTPI Fellow: Building expertise in representation[00:10:20] The Minnesota ordeal: Debt settlement conflict[00:13:42] Facing state vs. federal regulation conflicts[00:16:14] Navigating the legal battle: Federal supremacy clause[00:18:21] NAEA support: Legal and emotional impact[00:21:43] Legislative wins: Exempting EAs from debt settlement rules[00:24:56] Testifying before the Minnesota Tax Committee[00:28:17] Advice for EAs on maintaining balance during crises[00:32:30] Jon’s vision for the EA profession moving forward[00:37:10] Final thoughts: Staying resilient and advocating for changeNotable Quotes:"If we want people to comply, we need to make it easy for people to comply." — Jon Call"Circular 230 is federal authority—states can't override it." — Jon Call"I couldn't just stand by and let the state define our profession in a way that undermines what we do." — Jon Call"Advocacy means standing up, even when the odds are against you." — John Call"With the support of NAEA, I knew I wasn’t fighting alone." — Jon CallOur GuestJon Call is the founder of CLAW Tax Group, a Minnesota-based firm focused on representing taxpayers in disputes with the IRS and state tax authorities. After a career pivot inspired by a desire to help people navigate overwhelming tax problems, Jon became an Enrolled Agent in 2012 and earned his NTPI Fellow designation in 2018. Known for resolving complex IRS collection and exam issues, he also advocates for taxpayer rights and contributes to national policy reform as part of the Government Relations Committee of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA). When not working, Jon enjoys playing pickleball with his wife and coaching his sons' baseball teams.Resource & LinksThe Enrolled Agent Advocate PodcastThe Enrolled Agent AdvocateBrandy SpearsLinkedInWebsite - NAEA.orgNAEA - Catch -22 ArticleJon Call, EATaxCureWebsite - CLAW Tax Group
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    49 mins
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