Tax Preparers

client customer tax return conventional interests return for individuals financial record small business personal service schedule appointment computer

Enrolled Agent, Tax Advisor, Tax Consultant, Tax Preparer

What they do:
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
On the job, you would:
  • Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
  • Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
  • Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.

Knowledge

Business

  • customer service
  • accounting and economics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Safety and Government

  • law and government

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written

Math

  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Accounting software

  • Intuit QuickBooks Hot Technology In Demand
  • Tax software In Demand

Tax preparation software

  • Intuit TurboTax In Demand
  • Petz Enterprises V-Tax

Financial analysis software

  • Sungard Relius
  • Sync Essentials Trade Accountant

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about tax preparers.