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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.

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Important Abilities

• Number Facility
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression

General Work Activities

• Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
• Processing Information
• Performing Administrative Activities
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Evaluating Information Against Standards

Important Skills

• Mathematics
  
• Reading Comprehension
  
• Information Gathering
  
• Active Listening
  
• Speaking
  

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

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