How to Become an Accredited Tax Preparer
If you're good at math, enjoy working with people, and your career ambitions include accounting, then accredited tax preparation may be your ideal career. Estate planning and business tax return preparation for corporations or partnerships can be complicated. Specialized education and testing is required to become an Accredited Tax Preparer.
Become a Certified Tax Preparer
Attend a training course through H & R Block or Jackson Hewitt. You can also go to an independent tax preparation school, take an online course or attend classes at a community college. Prices can vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and some schools are better than others. Be sure to do your homework before deciding which one to attend. By taking these classes, you will learn individual federal and state returns and receive a certification.
Acquire Three Years of Tax Preparation Experience
If you did your schooling through H & R Block or Jackson Hewitt, you will have the opportunity to apply for jobs within their companies for the necessary experience. Other tax preparation schools might provide assistance with job placement. College credit can account for up to two years of experience to qualify for taking the ATP (Accredited Tax Preparer) test.
Take the Accredited Tax Preparer Test (ATP)
This three to four hour test is given by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. In order to pass you will need to have a complete understanding of how to prepare an individual tax return, self-employment tax returns, supporting paperwork, the current tax code, and ethical standards. A score of 70 percent or more is required. Testing centers are open for three weeks in May and June, and again in November and December. It will cost around 200 dollars to take the exam and become accredited.
Take Continuing Education Courses
In order to keep you Accredited Tax Preparer status, 90 hours of continued education every three years is required. This will allow you to keep up with the ever changing tax laws, new computer software and the latest methods.
As an Accredited Tax Preparer, you will be a well-respected career professional who can handle complicated tax issues, estate planning and business tax preparation. The job prospects are many, the pay is substantial and the work is interesting.