Tax Preparers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of tax preparers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for tax preparers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of tax preparers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for tax preparers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Tax Preparers?
Do tax preparers need a degree? What kind of experience do tax preparers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for tax preparers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Tax Preparers
Jobs Postings for Tax Preparers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 20,534 (50%)
- No Education Listed: 8,335 (20%)
- High School or GED: 5,331 (13%)
- Master's degree: 5,173 (13%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,908 (5%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of tax preparers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 50% of positions. In 20% of job listings no education level was listed and in 13% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Tax Preparers
Jobs Postings for Tax Preparers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 4,928 (24%)
- 2-3 Years: 11,217 (54%)
- 4-6 Years: 3,864 (19%)
- 7-9 Years: 360 (2%)
- 10+ Years: 241 (1%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for tax preparers. In 54% of job postings for Tax Preparers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 24% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 19% of job postings for tax preparers.
What Kind of Degree Do Tax Preparers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for tax preparers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 6 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective tax preparers, and in 2021 a total of 79,585 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective tax preparers.
Top Degree Programs for Tax Preparers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Tax Preparers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Taxation. | 1,546 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Taxation. | 1,546 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Auditing. | 163 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Tax Preparers
Develop the foundational financial skills needed to keep business running successfully, including financial reporting and analysis, managerial accounting, and federal taxes, so you can start your career as an accounting technician, tax preparer, payroll assistant and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Turn a head for numbers into a career as a financial associate or analyst, and help businesses turn financial data into actionable insights that can maximize investments, improve cash flow, and impact decisionmaking.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Enter into or advance within the rapidly growing accounting industry and prepare for professional certifications like the CPA.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Master finance principles and develop all-inclusive corporate finance strategies for business firms and financial institutions.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Distinguish yourself as a knowledgeable accounting professional with advanced technical, research, and communication skills.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 17
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Learn to decipher the numbers and communicate your findings with confidence and clarity in Franklin’s M.S. in Accounting with a focus in Taxation. The 17-month, online program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and features interactive courses led by in-field practitioners.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Tax Preparers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by tax preparers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for tax preparers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Tax Preparers
Based on 33,927 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Tax Preparers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 20,342 | 60% |
| Tax Returns | 13,631 | 40% |
| Auditing | 10,630 | 31% |
| Finance | 8,456 | 25% |
| Tax Laws | 8,313 | 25% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Tax Preparers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 13,906 | 41% |
| Research | 13,439 | 40% |
| Customer Service | 9,567 | 28% |
| Management | 8,630 | 25% |
| Writing | 7,920 | 23% |
Based on 33,927 job postings related to tax preparers, accounting was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 60% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for tax returns, auditing, finance, tax laws and tax preparation were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for tax preparers, followed by research, customer service, management, writing and problem solving.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 20,342 | 60% |
| Tax Returns | 13,631 | 40% |
| Auditing | 10,630 | 31% |
| Finance | 8,456 | 25% |
| Tax Laws | 8,313 | 25% |
| Tax Preparation | 7,850 | 23% |
| State Taxes | 6,282 | 19% |
| Public Accounting | 5,404 | 16% |
| Tax Consulting | 4,586 | 14% |
| Tax Research | 4,562 | 13% |
| Corporate Tax | 4,548 | 13% |
| Tax Compliance | 4,282 | 13% |
| Income Tax | 4,281 | 13% |
| Tax Planning | 3,769 | 11% |
| Preparer Tax Identification Number | 3,214 | 9% |
| Customer Inquiries | 3,202 | 9% |
| TurboTax | 3,190 | 9% |
| Software Product Management | 3,166 | 9% |
| Corporate Finance | 2,518 | 7% |
| Financial Statements | 2,435 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 13,906 | 41% |
| Research | 13,439 | 40% |
| Customer Service | 9,567 | 28% |
| Management | 8,630 | 25% |
| Writing | 7,920 | 23% |
| Problem Solving | 7,761 | 23% |
| Microsoft Excel | 7,160 | 21% |
| Operations | 6,084 | 18% |
| Detail Oriented | 6,003 | 18% |
| Sales | 5,608 | 17% |
| Filing | 5,521 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 5,408 | 16% |
| Critical Thinking | 5,348 | 16% |
| Planning | 4,651 | 14% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 3,757 | 11% |
| Empathy | 3,362 | 10% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 3,298 | 10% |
| Leadership | 3,211 | 9% |
| Organizational Skills | 3,137 | 9% |
| Time Management | 3,047 | 9% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about tax preparers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for tax preparers.
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.