Tax Preparation Consultant

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Federal, state and local tax codes seem to grow more complex with every passing year. The job of a tax preparation consultant is to ensure that clients' tax returns are filed correctly, taking into consideration evolving tax law and shifts in clients' financial positions.

Tax preparation consultants' clients could be individuals or small businesses, they can also work within the accounting organizations or larger companies. Regardless of his or her client base, the tax preparation consultant must be skilled with numbers, knowledgeable and up-to-date on federal, state and local tax codes and possess exceptional attention to detail.

Tax Preparation Degrees

An associate degree in accounting will provide a grounding in tax principles. However, a bachelor's degree in business administration and/or accounting will provide a greater depth of knowledge, as well as increased credibility in the eyes of prospective clients.

Tax Preparation Job Description

Tax preparation is part investigation and research, part analysis and part calculation. Tax preparers must:

• Work with clients to collect and analyze data on income and expenditures
• Analyze possible filing strategies and advise clients regarding their advantages or disadvantages
• Accurately complete and file tax forms
• Advise clients on shifts in tax code

Tax Preparation Salary

Many tax preparation consultants are independent contractors or sole proprietorships and, as such, set their own rates and are responsible for generating their own clients. The median annual salary for tax preparers working for others, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $30,060.