California Society of Enrolled Agents

What California Society of Enrolled Agents does

The California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) is a nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1962 and headquartered in Sacramento/Rancho Cordova, California, that serves federally licensed Enrolled Agents (EAs) — tax professionals with unlimited representation rights before the IRS — practicing in California. CSEA delivers its core offering through the Thrive-based Learning Hub, which hosts live and on-demand continuing education, an EA Exam Prep Program bundled with the Gleim Premium EA Review System, the Basic Tax Education Program, California Tax Agencies Unlocked, the IRS Practitioner Seminar, member-only Tax Study Groups, and Tax Pro Roundtables, plus ancillary member benefits including NovaTax research software, Tom Talk Taxes, and a Member Exchange Forum at exchange.csea.org. The organization operates 18 local chapters across California plus one affiliate in Japan, holds direct relationships with California state taxing agencies (FTB, CDTFA, EDD, BOE) and the state legislature, and partners with NAEA for federal-level advocacy in Washington D.C.

CSEA's business model is membership-driven: state membership dues of $295 per year (with prorated and emeritus tiers) plus $0-$30 in chapter dues form the recurring revenue base, supplemented by one-time fees from EA Exam Prep bundles ($275-$1,485), live continuing-education seminars and webinars, the Find an EA consumer directory at findanea.org, advertising and marketplace revenue, and a usage-based Tax Research Service ($40 per incident for members, $60 for non-members) staffed by an in-house specialist with over 40 years of IRS experience. Charitable funding flows through a separately administered 501(c)(3) affiliate, the CSEA Education Foundation, established in 2008 to administer scholarships and education programs via vehicles including Cars 4 Causes and iGive.com. The organization runs a small staff of 1-10 employees supported by volunteer chapter leadership and elected board members, with operational infrastructure relying on third-party platforms (Higher Logic, Zoom, Cognito Forms, PayPal, Fiserv, Google Analytics) rather than proprietary technology. CSEA describes itself as the largest state EA association in the United States, with members collectively preparing nearly two million tax returns annually.

Name

California Society of Enrolled Agents

Legal name

California Society of Enrolled Agents

Website

https://csea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) is a nonprofit professional membership association serving federally licensed Enrolled Agents in California through continuing education, EA exam preparation, advocacy with state tax agencies, and an 18-chapter local network plus a Japan affiliate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Professional tax association
• Enrolled agent membership
• Continuing tax education
• Tax professional advocacy
• EA exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues provide the primary revenue stream. State dues are $295 per year for the membership year ending June 30, 2026. Local chapter dues range from $0 to $30 depending on the chapter. Late-year joiners receive prorated rates (February-April pay half; May-June pay full for new year). Emeritus membership available.
2. EA Exam Prep Classes: Revenue from EA exam preparation courses using Gleim Premium Review System. Bundle pricing $1,375-$1,485, individual parts $275-$660 depending on whether Gleim materials are included. Re-enrollment special $465.
3. Continuing Education Programs: Live education events including webinars, in-person seminars, and special programs like California Tax Agencies Unlocked generate registration fees. Annual CE Requirements and CE Provider Information services support the education revenue stream.
4. Tax Research Service: Tax research assistance provided by specialist Joe Calderaro, EA at $40 per incident for members and $60 per incident for non-members.
5. Marketplace and Classifieds: Virtual tradeshow, online store, and classified advertisements provide additional revenue streams for members and advertisers.
6. Education Foundation Donations: Separately administered 501(c)(3) Education Foundation accepts charitable donations and vehicle donations through Cars 4 Causes and iGive.com shopping program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CSEA is a non-profit professional membership association for Enrolled Agents and tax professionals in California. It sells annual state and chapter memberships ($295 plus chapter dues), paid continuing-education and EA Exam Prep programs built around the Gleim Premium Review System and delivered on its Thrive Learning Hub, recurring live events such as Super Seminar, Tax Help Day, and chapter roundtables, plus ancillary offerings including tax research assistance, NovaTax access, a member exchange forum, and a public Find an EA directory that connects taxpayers to member practitioners.

Product overview

The California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) operates as a professional membership association offering a suite of products and services centered on education, certification preparation, advocacy, and member resources for Enrolled Agents and tax professionals. The core platform is the Thrive Learning Hub (built on TopClass LMS), which delivers live and on-demand continuing education including the EA Exam Prep Program (paired with Gleim study materials), the Basic Tax Education Program, and California Tax Agencies Unlocked. CSEA complements its education offerings with member benefits including NovaTax tax research software and Tom Talk Taxes, an online member-to-member exchange forum, and the Find an EA public directory. The organization also runs annual flagship events including Super Seminar, Tax Help Day, Stern/Mulak Legislative Week, and the State Tax Agencies Liaison Meeting (STALM), as well as the affiliated CSEA Education Foundation (a 501(c)(3) scholarship entity). CSEA does not offer an API or AI-powered products; its technology stack relies on third-party integrations for analytics (Google Analytics), email marketing (Higher Logic), payments (PayPal, First Data/Fiserv), video conferencing (Zoom), and online forms (Cognito Forms).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSEA Education Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing tax knowledge through scholarships and education for current and future Enrolled Agents.

Products and services

• CSEA State and Chapter Membership Annual non-profit professional membership for Enrolled Agents (and associate members including CPAs, CRTPs, and out-of-state EAs) granting CE access, advocacy representation, member benefits, exchange forum access, and chapter participation.
• EA Exam Prep 2026 Program Live-instructor-led exam preparation for the IRS Special Enrollment Examination, pairing Gleim Premium study materials with weekly instruction by experienced Enrolled Agents. Covers all three SEE parts: Individual Taxes, Business Taxes, and Representation, Practices, and Procedures.
• Learning Hub CSEA's online education portal offering live and on-demand continuing-education courses, webinars, chapter-hosted in-person events, and access to on-demand recordings of orientation sessions for Enrolled Agents and tax professionals.
• Basic Tax Education Program Foundational tax education event series for tax professionals who want structured instruction in core tax topics, typically running July through December.
• California Tax Agencies Unlocked (CTAU) Annual intensive workshop series focused on California state tax agency processes and regulatory updates for Enrolled Agents and other tax practitioners.
• IRS Practitioner Seminar Annual seminar providing IRS-focused professional development for tax practitioners as part of CSEA's live education offerings.
• Tax Study Groups Members-only regional peer study groups providing ongoing tax education and professional networking for Enrolled Agents.
• Tax Pro Roundtables Members-only small-group roundtable discussions where tax professionals exchange knowledge and discuss current tax issues and regulatory changes.
• Tax Research Service Per-incident tax research assistance from Tax Resource Specialist Joe Calderaro, EA, drawing on more than 40 years of IRS examination, collection, and taxpayer-service experience; $40 per incident for members, $60 for non-members.
• Super Seminar Annual flagship educational event and expo for tax professionals, run on a dedicated superseminar.org site with live CE sessions, an expo hall, and recurring tax updates.
• Tax Help Day Annual free public-service event in which Enrolled Agent members volunteer to answer taxpayer questions on a wide variety of tax topics at locations throughout California.
• Stern/Mulak Legislative Week Annual advocacy event that brings CSEA members to the California State Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for tax policy and the EA profession.
• State Tax Agencies Liaison Meeting (STALM) Annual advocacy event facilitating direct dialogue between CSEA members and California state tax agencies on policy and administrative matters.
• Member Exchange Forum Online members-only forum at exchange.csea.org where Enrolled Agents and tax professionals discuss issues, share resources, and network with each other.
• Find an EA Directory Public-facing directory at findanea.org that lets individual taxpayers search for CSEA member Enrolled Agents by city, name, or specialty, with phone support via 1-800-TAXPRO5.
• Virtual Tradeshow, Online Store, and Classifieds Virtual tradeshow expo hall, online store for merchandise and resources, and classifieds that generate advertising revenue and enable member-to-member commerce and practice sales.
• CSEA Education Foundation A separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that administers scholarships and educational programs for current and future Enrolled Agents, accepts charitable and vehicle donations through Cars 4 Causes, and partners with iGive.com for shopping donations.
• NovaTax Tax Research Software Member benefit providing access to tax research software for professional tax preparation and research by CSEA members.
• Tom Talk Taxes Member benefit delivering tax-related information and tools as a discounted resource for CSEA members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members prepare nearly 2 million tax returns each year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNAEA is CSEA's partner on the national level, ensuring members have a voice in Washington, DC protecting the EA profession and advocating for sound tax policy. NAEA testifies before Congress on IRS matters, coordinates annual Fly-In Day events, and provides federal advocacy resources. CSEA members participate in NAEA Fly-In Day lobbying efforts.
• GleimcoreTechnology or IntegrationCSEA partnered with Gleim to create EA Exam Prep Program combining the Gleim Premium EA Review System (industry-leading study materials, quizzes, and practice exams) with live instruction from experienced Enrolled Agents. This partnership delivers CSEA's exam preparation curriculum.
• Cars 4 CausesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle donation partner for CSEA Education Foundation. Accepts donated vehicles and turns proceeds into funds for the Foundation's scholarship programs.
• iGive.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline shopping partner where a portion of purchases from over 1,400 stores goes to CSEA Education Foundation. Members can support the Foundation by shopping through the iGive portal.
• Japan Society of Enrolled AgentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate chapter of CSEA in Japan, expanding CSEA's geographic reach to serve EAs and tax professionals in the international market.
• CSEA Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2008 that fosters tax education through scholarships and educational programs. Provides scholarship funding for EA exam prep classes, continuing education for current EAs, and programs for women over 40 pursuing tax careers. Maintains separate board of trustees and governing documents.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• California Tax Education Council (CTEC): California-based organization overseeing CTEC-registered tax preparers (CRTP). Comparable California-specific tax professional education and registration mission, though CTEC credentials differ from the federal EA designation.

Emerging players

• Becker Professional Education: Large-scale commercial CPE and exam prep provider for accounting and tax professionals. Comparable continuing-education product (CPE/CLE) to CSEA's Learning Hub, but operates as a for-profit commercial provider rather than a member association.
• Surgent CPE: Continuing professional education provider for tax and accounting professionals. Comparable CE product portfolio and pass-based subscriptions; competes for member CE spend that CSEA's Learning Hub also addresses.

Direct peers

• National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA): National professional membership association for Enrolled Agents and the federal-level counterpart to CSEA. Directly comparable mission, member services, advocacy, and CE product portfolio; CSEA partners with NAEA for federal advocacy, making it the closest structural peer.
• National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP): National professional membership association serving tax preparers and tax professionals across the US. Comparable membership-association model, CE curriculum, and advocacy focus, but addresses a broader tax-preparer base beyond federally licensed EAs.
• Florida Society of Enrolled Agents: State-level professional association for Enrolled Agents in Florida. Comparable chapter-based membership and CE model to CSEA, providing a direct structural peer for state-level EA association comparison.
• Texas Society of Enrolled Agents: State-level professional association for Enrolled Agents in Texas. Direct parallel to CSEA in mission, structure, and product set (membership, CE, advocacy) but operates in a different state market.
• New York Society of Enrolled Agents (NYSEA): State-level professional association for Enrolled Agents in New York. Direct peer to CSEA in mission, member services, and chapter-based structure, serving a different geographic market.

Broad incumbents

• California Society of CPAs (CalCPA): State-level professional membership association for CPAs in California. Comparable member-services, CE, and state-tax-agency advocacy model, but addresses a broader profession (CPAs) rather than specializing in Enrolled Agents.
• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): Largest national professional association for CPAs, offering membership, CE, and advocacy at scale. Comparable professional-association business model with significant overlap in tax education and CPE; broader scope than EA-specialist associations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CaSocietyEA
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/California-Society-of-Enrolled-Agents-CSEA/111532368931377?sk=wall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=83347
• Instagraminstagram.com/casocietyea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Society of Enrolled Agents