Profile
Maria A. Leonardo, EA
What is an Enrolled Agent (EA)?
Enrolled agents (EAs) are America’s tax experts. EAs are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a stringent and comprehensive examination covering individual and business tax returns and representation of clients before the IRS or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled Agent Status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before. But unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation. CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the states, but enrolled agents are federally licensed. That means they are not limited to practicing in states from which they have received a license; they can practice anywhere in the United States.
Ivette Sanchez, CPA
What Is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?
A certified public accountant (CPA) is a designation given by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to individuals that pass the Uniform CPA Examination and meet the education and experience requirements – including holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting, and completing 150 hours of education. The CPA designation helps enforce professional standards and code of ethics in the accounting industry. Additionally, keeping the CPA designation requires completing a specific number of continuing education hours yearly.
Mrs. Sanchez started her accounting career over 20 years ago after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with honors from Rutgers University. A Certified Public Accountant since 1996. She served as a Senior Auditor for Ernst & Young, LLP in New Jersey and Florida. Her experience includes tax, audits, IRS representation and diverse accounting services of public and private companies. In her pursuit to better serve her clients, she also became a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor.
Barry Bell, Accountant
Janiris Leonardo, Accountant
Nina Herrera, Account Manager
Abraham Castro, Accounting Clerk