National Application Center :: career details :: Tax Preparers
Career Details :: Tax Preparers
Description
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses but do not have the background or responsibilities of an accredited or certified public accountant.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Reviews financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures, to determine forms needed to prepare return.
- Consults tax law handbook or bulletins to determine procedure for preparation of atypical returns.
- Verifies totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic or procedure, as needed.
- Calculates form preparation fee according to complexity of return and amount of time required to prepare forms.
- Interviews client to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Computes taxes owed, using adding machine or personal computer, and completes entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
Related Careers
- Actuaries
- Credit Analysts
- Credit Checkers
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
- Insurance Claims Clerks
- Insurance Underwriters
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks
- New Accounts Clerks
- Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Processing Information
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Evaluating Information Against Standards
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Consequence of Error
- Provide a Service to Others
- Sitting
