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The Enrolled Agent Advocate

The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Written 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
  • Tax Strategy, Leadership, and Trust in the EA Profession with Valaise Smith, EA

    Tax Strategy, Leadership, and Trust in the EA Profession with Valaise Smith, EA
    Feb 16 2026
    In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, we join Brandy Spears as she interviews Valaise Smith, a purpose-driven financial leader with over 25 years of experience in tax strategy, compliance, and executive leadership. Valaise shares her inspiring journey of becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) and how her background in finance and C-suite leadership shaped her approach to tax and financial guidance.In this episode, Valaise talks about the deep connection between leadership and compassion in the tax field. She discusses her experience transitioning from corporate finance to serving entrepreneurs, the importance of balancing technical expertise with empathy, and the role of trust in building lasting relationships with clients.Learn how Valaise uses her EA credential to empower small business owners, guide them through complex tax strategies, and advocate for their financial well-being.Key TakeawaysThe impact of EA credentials on career growth and confidence.Valaise's journey from C-suite leadership to tax professional.How trust and empathy drive Valaise’s client relationships.Why leadership rooted in service leads to lasting impact.How the EA profession offers diverse career opportunities beyond tax preparation.In This Episode:[00:01:10] Valaise’s background and the start of her professional journey[00:03:15] How C-suite experience shaped her approach to tax and leadership[00:05:45] What it means to be a purpose-driven financial leader[00:10:25] Building trust with clients: From financial stress to confidence[00:13:50] The power of empathy and transparency in tax and financial services[00:16:00] The intersection of personal values, leadership, and tax expertise[00:21:05] How becoming an EA strengthened Valaise’s credibility and authority[00:24:10] Navigating complex tax law with care and clarity[00:27:40] Valaise’s advice for aspiring EAs: Trust the process and start with integrity[00:30:25] The role of the EA credential in positioning professionals for success[00:33:40] Leading with heart: The human aspect of financial services[00:36:00] Reflections on leadership, client trust, and professional growthNotable Quotes“Being a purpose-driven leader means using my expertise not just to crunch numbers, but to create clarity, confidence, and dignity for my clients.” — Valaise Smith“Trust is the foundation of effective financial guidance. Without it, you can’t truly help people make informed decisions.” — Valaise Smith“The EA credential gave me the confidence to step into leadership roles and serve my clients at the highest level.” — Valaise Smith“Advocacy in the tax profession isn’t optional. It’s about ensuring our clients are represented fairly and effectively.” — Valaise Smith“We are people first, tax professionals second. Leading with compassion and integrity is what truly makes a difference.” — Valaise SmithOur GuestValaise Smith, EA is a seasoned tax professional with over 25 years of experience in accounting, tax strategy, and compliance. As an Enrolled Agent, Valaise has worked with a diverse range of clients, from small business owners to large corporations, helping them navigate complex tax systems and make informed financial decisions.She is also a leader in the EA community, serving as a mentor, advocate, and participant in initiatives that support the professional growth of enrolled agents. Valaise’s work goes beyond tax preparation—she is passionate about empowering clients through clear communication, trust-building, and purpose-driven leadership.Valaise’s unique blend of technical expertise, compassion, and advocacy has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor who helps clients transition from confusion to clarity, from fear to confidence, and from overwhelmed to empowered.Resource and LinksThe Enrolled Agent Advocate PodcastThe Enrolled Agent AdvocateBrandy SpearsLinkedInWebsite - NAEA.orgValaise Smith, EALinkedInWebsite
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    50 mins
  • Advocating for Change in Tax Policy with Phyllis Jo Kubey, EA

    Advocating for Change in Tax Policy with Phyllis Jo Kubey, EA
    Feb 2 2026
    In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, Brandy Spears is joined by Phyllis Jo Kubey, an enrolled agent, certified financial planner, and NTPI Fellow, who’s been in the tax profession since 1986. Phyllis brings over three decades of experience navigating tax law changes, IRS reform, and representing taxpayers in complex cases.She’s also an advocate for the profession, having served on the IRS Advisory Council and testified before the US Senate Finance Committee on tax policy. Phyllis shares her journey of moving beyond tax prep to becoming a trusted voice in tax reform, breaking down barriers for practitioners, and fighting for systemic change.Phyllis also highlights the importance of ethics, judgment, and client advocacy, emphasizing that these soft skills matter just as much as technical expertise for any future enrolled agents.Why Listen:How Phyllis’ advocacy is rooted in frustration and responsibilityWhy advocacy is a must for practitioners and not an optional add-onThe real-world impact of Phyllis’ testimony before the US SenateHow the NAEA PAC amplifies the voice of enrolled agents in policy decisionsWhy Phyllis believes the future of the profession is in good hands with younger EAsIn This Episode:[00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate[00:01:00] Meet Phyllis Jo Kubey: Tax pro, advocate, and a voice in tax reform[00:03:10] How Phyllis transitioned from tax practice to advocacy[00:05:30] Serving on the IRS Advisory Council: Inside the IRS and the importance of practitioner feedback[00:09:30] Phyllis’ experience testifying before the US Senate Finance Committee[00:13:00] Advocating for penalty abatement automation at the IRS[00:17:00] Why strong communication between the IRS and practitioners benefits everyone[00:20:00] The role of the NAEA PAC in amplifying the voice of enrolled agents[00:23:00] The importance of getting involved in leadership roles within the profession[00:25:00] How listening, ethics, and judgment matter just as much as technical knowledge[00:27:00] Phyllis’ holistic approach to balancing tax work with personal well-being[00:30:00] The intersection of music, creativity, and tax work[00:34:00] How tax professionals can get involved in advocacy and create change[00:36:00] Phyllis’ advice for future EAs: Start with ethics and client advocacyNotable Quotes“Advocacy isn’t optional. It’s a must when you realize many client problems are actually systemic.” — Phyllis Jo Kubey“Practitioners are the last line of defense between a complex tax system and taxpayers.” — Phyllis Jo Kubey“Penalties aren’t just abstractions. Delays and ambiguity translate into penalties, anxiety, and real harm for taxpayers.” — Phyllis Jo Kubey“Policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The IRS needs our input for it to work in real life.” — Phyllis Jo Kubey“Music taught me to listen and see the space between the notes. That’s a skill I bring to both my tax work and advocacy.” — Phyllis Jo KubeyOur GuestPhyllis Jo Kubey, EA is a certified financial planner, and NTPI Fellow with over 30 years of experience in tax preparation, planning, and representation. Phyllis has served on the IRS Advisory Council, testifying before the US Senate Finance Committee on IRS reform and tax policy.As a leader within the NAEA, Phyllis has held roles like past president of the New York State Society of Enrolled Agents and Chair of the NAEA PAC Board, advocating for the enrolled agent profession at the highest levels. She’s also known for her contributions to the tax press and active presence on tax Twitter, where she shares insights and advocates for fair tax policy.Phyllis’ unique background in music and the arts also influences her approach to tax work and advocacy, blending creativity and empathy with technical expertise.Resource and LinksThe Enrolled Agent Advocate PodcastThe Enrolled Agent AdvocateBrandy SpearsLinkedInWebsite - NAEA.orgPhyllis Jo Kubey, EALinkedInWebsite
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    52 mins
  • From VITA to the Real World: What Students Learn Fast with Al Beatty, EA

    From VITA to the Real World: What Students Learn Fast with Al Beatty, EA
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears speaks with Al Beatty, an Enrolled Agent, longtime practitioner, and assistant professor of accounting at Tryon University. Al teaches tax and accounting courses while also running a VITA site where students earn college credit by helping low-to-moderate income taxpayers—meaning they don’t just “learn tax,” they actually do tax.Al shares what he’s seeing in today’s accounting students: where they’re excited, where they’re anxious (hello, AI), and what finally clicks when students sit face-to-face with taxpayers for the first time. He also breaks down why the EA credential deserves a bigger spotlight in academic programs, especially for students who want to focus on tax and representation work without being pulled into everything else required by other licenses.They also dig into the tax profession’s pipeline problem, the soft skills tax pros are missing in an automation-heavy world, and why in-person networking and continuing education still matter—even when it’s tempting to stay behind the screen.Why ListenHow real client work makes tax education more practical (and more honest)Why Al believes the EA exam goes deeper than the tax portion of the CPA examWhat students actually learn in VITA that textbooks can’t teachThe biggest “pipeline gap” Al sees: human connection and client trustHow educators and practitioners can work together to develop future EAsIn This Episode:[00:00:00] Welcome to The Enrolled Agent Advocate[00:00:45] Meet Al Beatty: professor, practitioner, and VITA site leader[00:02:25] How active client work changes how Al teaches tax[00:03:28] Explaining the EA vs CPA path in a way students understand[00:03:37] A CPA hires an EA and students are shocked[00:04:24] Why Al brings the EA path into the classroom[00:07:29] VITA growth: more students, more impact[00:09:17] How VITA kills misconceptions about “boring” accounting[00:12:33] The biggest gap in today’s tax industry: the personal touch[00:16:47] Why live seminars still matter (networking, internships, real learning)[00:18:21] What the next 5–10 years of tax practice will demand[00:20:00] Al’s advice: read constantly (EA Journal included)[00:21:09] AI in the classroom: Blue books, real writing, real thinking[00:23:26] Advice for future EAs: “get your hands dirty”[00:24:49] Free academic associate membership at NAEA[00:26:33] The class Al created: “Scoundrels, Scandals, and Economic Collapses”[00:28:54] How to connect with AlNotable Quotes“Textbooks are artificial. Real clients bring scenarios you can’t find in a book.” — Al Beatty“The tax portion of the CPA exam was nothing like the EA exam. If you want tax, that’s the path.” — Al Beatty“Students think accounting is just plugging numbers into Excel—until they sit with a taxpayer.” — Al Beatty“The personal touch is getting missed. People feel like they’re being run through a mill.” — Al Beatty“I feel like I’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology doing taxes.” — Al BeattyOur GuestAl Beatty, EA is an assistant professor of accounting at Trine University, where he teaches managerial and tax accounting, accounting information systems, and professional license topics. He also runs a VITA site that allows students to earn college credit while serving low-to-moderate income taxpayers through real-world tax preparation.Outside the classroom, Al owns and operates a tax practice with over 20 years of hands-on experience across individual and small business taxation, IRS representation, estate and gift tax, and tax resolution. He has also served as a technical reviewer for the EA Journal, helping uphold accuracy and quality in tax education. Al sits at a rare intersection—training the next generation of practitioners while continuing to serve taxpayers directly.Resource and LinksThe Enrolled Agent Advocate PodcastThe Enrolled Agent AdvocateBrandy SpearsLinkedInWebsite - NAEA.orgAl Beatty, EALinkedIn
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    33 mins
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