Tax Preparers

13-2082.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

Also known as: Corporate Tax Preparer, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Credentialed Tax Expert, Credentialed Tax Professional, Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Advisor, Income Tax Consultant, Income Tax Expert, ...

Annual Salary

$50,560

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$37,750 25th – 75th percentile $75,590
10th percentile $30,500
90th percentile $96,240
U.S. Employment: 73,570

Job Outlook

+4.5%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 10,400 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
  • Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
  • Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
  • Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
  • Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
  • Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
  • Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
  • Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
  • Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
  • Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 3.9
Critical Thinking 3.5
Speaking 3.1
Active Learning 3.1
Time Management 3.1
Writing 3.0
Mathematics 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Economics and Accounting 3.9
English Language 3.8
Customer and Personal Service 3.7
Mathematics 3.6
Law and Government 3.6
Computers and Electronics 3.5
Administrative 3.2
Education and Training 2.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
38.1%
Certificate
23.8%
Bachelor's
23.8%
Associate's
14.3%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word

Other Tools

ACI TaskTracker ATX Total Accounting Office ATX Total Tax Office CCH ProSystem fx TAX Creative Solutions CPA Depreciation Creative Solutions UltraTax CS Datagroup ElectroFile 1040 Datagroup ElectroFile ELF Datagroup ElectroFile ST Datair Employee Benefits Systems Electronic ToolKit for Tax Preparers Email software ExacTax PackageEX Greatland Corporation Winfiler GreatTax +9 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.2
Cautiousness
2.2
Integrity
1.6
Achievement Orientation
1.4
Cooperation
1.4
Self-Control

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 3.9
Oral Expression 3.9
Near Vision 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.8
Number Facility 3.3
Inductive Reasoning 3.3
Information Ordering 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Working with Computers 4.7
Getting Information 4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.5
Documenting/Recording Information 4.2
Processing Information 4.2
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.0
Analyzing Data or Information 3.9
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.9
Spend Time Sitting
4.5
E-Mail
4.4
Telephone Conversations
4.4
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
4.2
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.1
Time Pressure
4.1
Contact With Others
4.0
Freedom to Make Decisions
3.9
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
3.7
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
3.7
Frequency of Decision Making
3.6

Related Careers

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
$55K
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
$48K
Loan Interviewers and Clerks
$49K
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
$61K
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
$54K
Financial Managers
$162K
Billing and Posting Clerks
$47K
Loan Officers
$74K
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
$52K
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
$49K

Is Tax Preparers right for you?

Take our free career quiz to see how you match with this and 900+ other careers.

Take the Quiz

Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.