Executive Search
Executive Vice President
Client Overview
The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) has retained Sterling Martin Associates to
search for its next Executive Vice President (EVP). The EVP is NAEA’s chief executive and the
position is located at the organization’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.
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. These intriguing beginnings led to the
creation of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), which was incorporated in 1972.
NAEA is a nationally recognized organization dedicated solely to advancing recognition of
enrolled agents and to enhancing the professional growth of its members through promotion,
member support, advocacy, and education. NAEA is organized as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit
professional association.
Enrolled agents (EAs), are America's Tax Experts®, are the only federally-licensed tax
practitioners who specialize in taxation and have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before
the IRS. NAEA is dedicated to helping its members maintain the highest level of knowledge,
skills, and professionalism in all areas of taxation, enabling them to effectively represent the
needs of their clients. NAEA’s membership includes over 11,000 independent, licensed tax
professionals, organized into a network of 44 state affiliates.
NAEA’s budget is in the $4 million range, and sixteen professional staff members serve the
organization in its Washington, D.C. headquarters. The executive vice president of NAEA also
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National Association of Enrolled Agents | Executive Vice President | Position Description
serves as the president of the NAEA Education Foundation and as a non-voting member of its
Board of Trustees. NAEA’s Board of Directors is comprised of fifteen (15) directors elected by the
membership. The EVP is a non-voting member of the board and the executive committee. For
more information about NAEA, please visit www.naea.org.
Executive Vice President
Reporting to the board of directors through the elected board president, the executive vice
president (EVP) is the chief staff officer of NAEA. The primary role of the executive vice
president (EVP) is to champion the enrolled agent profession. The EVP must be a visionary
leader and an inspirational spokesperson. S/he will serve as NAEA’s “ambassador” to a variety
of constituents including legislators, regulators, academic professionals, public consumers, and
future enrolled agents. Additionally, the EVP is responsible for the overall administration and
management of NAEA, including maintaining a highly skilled staff that can perform the functions
of planning, organizing, directing, managing, and evaluating the programs and activities of the
association. A major responsibility of this position is to provide strategic visionary leadership to
NAEA.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Under the broad supervision of NAEA’s board of directors, the executive vice president is
responsible for providing leadership in six primary areas, as follows:
Public Outreach
 Promoting and marketing NAEA to the general public, other tax and accounting
professionals, and non-member EAs;
 Serving as NAEA’s chief spokesperson with groups, which include, but are not limited to,
all government and regulatory agencies, state affiliates, other tax-related professional
associations, the academic community, and media outlets;
 Developing a media advertising campaign that promotes public recognition of the EA
license; and
 Promoting the enrolled agent career to students attending both two- and four-year
institutions.
Membership
 Developing advertising and promoting recruitment programs that showcase the benefits
of joining NAEA;
 Developing and implementing a campaign, with measurable goals, that increases NAEA
membership; and
 Assisting state affiliates in developing regional programs to promote the EA license and
affiliate membership.
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National Association of Enrolled Agents | Executive Vice President | Position Description
Finance
 Maintaining sound financial administration;
 Preparing and monitoring the annual organizational and departmental budgets;
 Presenting monthly financial reports to the board of directors and executive committee;
 Ensuring adequate financial reserves for future programs; and
 Increasing non-dues revenue.
Education
 Developing premier education programs appropriate for all tax professionals;
 Increasing participation in the enrolled agent preparation courses; and
 Expanding education options using all media outlets.
Staff and Volunteer Leadership
 Recruiting and hiring staff proficient in their areas of responsibility;
 Recruiting members to volunteer for committees and leadership positions; and
 Promoting and recognizing the achievements of the member volunteers.
Management and Administration
 Planning, coordinating, and participating in meetings of the board of directors, executive
committee, and NAEA Education Foundation;
 Overseeing the implementation of the strategic plan;
 Reviewing and signing all contracts and official documents of the association;
 Maintaining a sound organizational structure;
 Managing internal relationships between the staff and the association; and
 Developing and maintaining a compensation plan for staff, consultants, and contractors,
including responsibility for hiring and termination.
Background & Experience | Qualities and Characteristics
Qualified candidates for the position of executive vice president will be visionary leaders and
inspirational spokespeople with a successful record of accomplishment in association
management. Candidates will be expected to understand, embrace, and advance NAEA’s
mission and to appreciate and support the role that America’s tax experts play. All candidates
will also be expected to present the following:
 Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting, Public
Administration or related field; or, equivalent combination of education and experience
required; advanced degree preferred;
 Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation a plus;
 Current registration as an enrolled agent a plus;
 Experience in the tax preparation industry a plus;
 Executive-level experience in a professional membership association of a similar
magnitude ($4M+) a plus;
 Experience working with a chapter-based association a plus;
 Experience working with a volunteer-driven organization as either a staff member or
volunteer;
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National Association of Enrolled Agents | Executive Vice President | Position Description
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Experience as a change agent, strategic thinker, and relationship/consensus builder;
Experience working with a governing board;
Demonstrated understanding of governance issues, including board management and
dynamics;
Experience growing membership, including cultivation of new members and retention
and stewardship of existing members;
Ability to raise awareness of the EA designation through strategic outreach to the public;
Experience in building coalitions and strategic partnerships;
Superior communications skills, both written and oral, and experience with public
speaking;
Previous oversight of budgeting and financial management of an organization;
Ability to set priorities, delegate responsibilities, and mentor, motivate, and develop a
senior-level staff;
An entrepreneurial spirit and orientation;
A charismatic nature and personality; and
Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and think tactically.
Compensation | Benefits | Availability
NAEA offers a competitive compensation package to attract the right candidate. The
organization offers stimulating work and professional development opportunities, encouraging
all NAEA team members to generate innovative ideas to further the goals of the association
with an eye toward advancing the EA community. NAEA also provides employees with a
comprehensive benefits package. The NAEA Executive Committee and new EVP will design a
mutually agreed upon incentive program within the first 90 days of employment.
To apply, please send a cover letter and current résumé (Microsoft Word® format preferred) to
naea@smartinsearch.com. A well-crafted cover letter outlining how your background and
experience relate to the position is considered an important part of the candidate review
process. All applications will be acknowledged.
NAEA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace.
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National Association of Enrolled Agents | Executive Vice President | Position Description
For more information, please contact:
Sterling Martin Associates
1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20036
p. 202.327.5485 | www.smartinsearch.com
David S. Martin
Managing Partner
p. 202.327.5485
m. 202.257.1627
naea@smartinsearch.com
or
Leigh Beal
Senior Associate
p. 510.529.4560
naea@smartinsearch.com
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National Association of Enrolled Agents | Executive Vice President | Position Description