Brighton Tax Practitioner Completes Rigorous Leadership Academy

Washington, DC – June 25, 2013.  Francis St.Onge, EA, of Total Financial Planning, LLC, Brighton, MI has completed a special training program developed and administered by the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) for members who are now serving or plan to serve in a leadership position at the chapter, affiliate or national level. Attendees of the Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Academy received significant training in a multi-disciplinary program that stressed organization management skills. Among the topics covered in the program were leadership, strategic planning, financial oversight, volunteer recruitment, governance and board of directors matters, education and meeting planning, public relations and communication, and government relations and advocacy.

The Schuldiner/Smollan Leadership Academy is named for two of the primary forces behind the creation of the National Association of Enrolled Agents: Syd Schuldiner, EA, NAEA’s first president (1972) and David Smollan, EA, NAEA’s second president (1973). Both were instrumental in establishing the founding chapter dedicated to enrolled agents in Los Angeles, which eventually became NAEA. Syd Schuldiner left a significant bequest to NAEA in honor of David Smollan, and these funds were used to establish the Leadership Academy.

Enrolled agents (EAs) are a diverse group of independent, federally-authorized tax practitioners who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in tax. EAs have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS, including taxpayers who are being audited, are unable to pay or are trying to avoid or recover penalties. EAs also prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any other entities with tax-reporting requirements. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxation, all EAs specialize in taxation. They are required by the federal government to maintain their professional skills with continuing professional education. Enrolled agents are known as “America’s Tax Experts.”

Francis St.Onge, EA, is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and the Michigan Society of Enrolled Agents.  He is currently serving as the President of the Michigan Society of Enrolled Agents.

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About NAEA

The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is the professional society that powers America’s tax experts. Its members are dedicated to honest, intelligent and ethical representation of the financial position of taxpayers before the IRS. The Association’s efforts are supported nationwide through a network of affiliated state and local chapters. Members of NAEA must fulfill continuing professional education requirements that exceed the IRS’ requirements. NAEA membership also entails stringent adherence to a Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as compliance with the Treasury Department’s Circular 230 regulations. NAEA members are experienced, well-trained tax professionals who effectively represent their clients and work to ensure the tax code is fairly applied and reasonably enforced.

To find an enrolled agent in your area, visit the National Association of Enrolled Agents’ website at www.naea.org and click on the “Find an EA” link.