Accounting services require the tax professional to perform the job of providing a process of checks and balances for guaranteeing that the clients are not tricking the government or their employees or clients. The accountant should also make sure that the government as well as its employees or clients are not swindling them. A tax accountant is endowed with the responsibility of having to deal with issues such as finances, money, profit, payrolls, expenditures and sales.
Requirements
Academic: Once you complete high school, you can pursue your dream of becoming a tax accountant. Higher studies are a must in this field as they help you stay ahead in the race with a high school diploma. You can even stay in school and get an education, especially if you are planning to pursue a career in accounting services. College is not mandatory as in most of the entry level jobs all you need is a certificate of accounting that any community college can give you.
Skill sets: If you want to become an accountant for a well known and reputed CPA firm, you need to go for a 2 years' degree in public accounting services for being considered eligible. Speak with the counselors of your college regarding the programs that are offered. Tax accountants can also go for the courses even without completing a college degree. Computer skills and knowledge of the basic software applications are a must for the accounting services. Written and oral communication is also a mandatory area of expertise. Other skills include:
• Solving problems successfully and analyzing situations effectively
• Project management
• Efficiency to perform under pressure and meet timelines
Training: An accountant must obtain an entry level position and in case you want to be the tax accountants with a reputed CPA firm, go for accounting training at the entry level. Positions at the entry level can be achieved with any of the small town offices or the small businesses. It is also advised to remain in an entry level position for at least 2 to 4 years and terminate your services on good terms as you need a professional reference in your next firm. Moreover, get a letter or recommendation for the accounting services you have provided as it will help you out in the tax accountant jobs that you are to take up in the future.
Prior experience: Having a tax accountant as your enrolled agent is good as they have passed the exam of tax preparation that is undertaken by the IRS. It is perhaps the best bet in case you have to deal with complicated taxes. The enrolled agent tax accountants can represent your tax specifications well in case you need help with taxes. You can also go for a course in the latest software for helping yourself be up to date with the latest in technology.
Employment Outlook
Career prospects (globally): Accounting services are provided by a large number of firms and chains which handle a good number of clients annually, as well as provide diverse customer services. The duties and responsibilities that are expected of a tax accountant can be multiple as well as various depending on the client and the financial requirements of the person or body concerned. If you are into the accounting services, your job can range from performing the audits for the company or organization or business, to dealing with the payroll of a smaller business as well as analyzing the ledger of the company and its overall state. A lot of tax accountants deal only with the tax documents, whereas there are others who execute tasks that are often the functions of a financial planner or business analyst.
The salary in this field is about $52,000 on average.
Make sure that as a tax accountant you have a good understanding of the tasks and responsibilities related to returns. With competitive fees, you can realize your dreams. The functions of an accountant vary and this depends on the place where you live in. If someone is giving a tax advertisement, it does not necessarily mean that he has to be a tax accountant and thus you must ensure that you have the right credentials required for the job.
