Stearns CPA
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Stearns CPA
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Member of:

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce

Addison County Chamber of Commerce

Quickbooks Pro Advisor Network

National Association of Tax Professionals

Vt Tax Practitioners Association

Vermont Society of CPA's

American Institute of CPA's

Board Positions:

Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Board President 2018

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, 2015-2018

Vermont Horse Council, 2019-2021

Rutland County, Vermont Farm Bureau, 2022-2025

Otter Creek Watershed District, 2023-2024

member of:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Client Feedback

*Thanks for all your hard work!  C.

*Sharon, Just want to say how much I appreciate your hard work and sound advise.  D.

*Hi, I appreciate the update. Also, I am noticing how much you do for your individual and business clients. Always knew you were/are a class act.  D.

*Sharon, You came into quite the mess and got us straightened out. You taught me quite a bit over the years and I'm very grateful!   P.

*Thanks for keeping us informed!  M.

*Hi, Sharon. Thank you for all of the email updates. You certainly look out for your clients!  D.

*Hi, Sharon. Thanks again for all you've done to help your clients through this time. The information that you've collected and shared with all of us has been truly remarkable!  S.

*Thank you for the information!  D.

*Thank you for the information!  M.

*Sharon, Thank you for trying to keep us up to date.  P.


cPA vs. enrolled agent vs. unlicensed tax preparer

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

  • Must pass a national uniform 4-part CPA exam covering Auditing, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Taxation and Regulation, and either Business Analysis or Information Systems or Tax Compliance
  • 150 hours of higher education, usually resulting in a Bachelor's Degree (120 hours) and a Master's Degree (30 hours) in accounting
  • One year of accounting experience working under another CPA with documentation required to substantiate experience gained
  • Background check and other licensing requirements of the states' Board of Public Accountancy
  • 80 hours of continuing education every two years, to include four hours of ethics and eight hours of accounting and auditing, or approximately 40 hours per year

Enrolled Agent (EA)

  • Must pass 3-part IRS exam covering individuals, businesses and representation, practices and procedures
  • Must pass IRS suitability for criminal history and personal tax compliance
  • Must complete 72 hours of eligible tax continuing education every three years or approximately 24 hours per year

Unlicensed General Preparer

  • No formal education or licensing required
  • Cannot represent taxpayers before the IRS

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