| It is estimated that each year nearly 75 million people | | | | advanced accounting practices is not required as the |
| seek assistance with the preparation of their tax | | | | job entails use of only basic arithmetic skills. |
| returns. This need arises primarily from the fact that | | | | The income potential can also be very attractive as |
| most people are handling multiple priorities on a daily | | | | those with strong experience in the field can charge of |
| basis and simply don't have the time to keep abreast | | | | fee of $100. or more per hour during tax season. If it is |
| of the ever-changing tax laws. They would much | | | | your intention to open a solo practice, you may want |
| prefer the comfort of delegating this work to those | | | | to combine tax preparation with payroll or bookkeeping |
| whose job it is to stay on top of new tax rules and | | | | services to ensure a steady year-round cash flow. In |
| regulations and in this way ensure that their returns will | | | | this regard, it would be a good idea to contact your |
| be in full compliance. | | | | secretary of state to obtain information on any |
| This situation means that those well trained and | | | | business licensing requirements. |
| knowledgeable in this field will find their services in | | | | Most tax preparation courses are of a ten (10) week |
| great demand. This is an especially attractive option | | | | duration so that this career can be launched in a |
| for those who have been laid off from former | | | | relatively short period of time. Opportunities for career |
| employment due to the downturn in the economy. | | | | growth can stem from enrolling in continuing education |
| Training can be completed in as little as ten (10) weeks, | | | | in advanced and small business tax preparation. |
| in many cases by tax preparation firms which then | | | | Another option is to pursue an associates or |
| may hire the most promising of the class directly upon | | | | bachelor's degree in accounting to expand the scope |
| graduation. | | | | of services you will be able to provide. Many of these |
| The nature of the work requires that successful tax | | | | programs are offered online which provides much |
| preparers be comfortable conducing comprehensive | | | | flexibility in completing the course requirement as |
| client interviews in order to obtain complete financial | | | | students can access the "lesson" and complete any |
| information of either a business or personal nature. | | | | assignments on a 24/7 basis. |
| They must also hold to the highest ethical standards to | | | | Becoming a tax professional is a relatively inexpensive |
| ensure that all information disclosed is kept strictly | | | | and time favorable way to embark on a promising |
| confidential. The position of tax preparer requires keen | | | | new career with good growth potential. As noted, it is |
| attention to detail, strong familiarity with tax rules and | | | | an especially attractive option for those laid off due to |
| regulations, the ability to interpret sometimes complex | | | | the current recession as this is a field which will |
| financial information, as well as excellent interpersonal | | | | continue to fill a need for a large portion of the |
| and proactive listening skills. However, knowledge of | | | | population. |