Welcome to CAREER EXPLORER

Career Explorer is the all-in-one professional hub for discovering, growing and advancing in your career. Explore your career options with our aptitude test, U.S. school search, educational information, online training and job boards.

Member Login

Are You An Employer?

Finding the right employee can be a daunting task. Let us help you out! Post your job openings on Career Explorer and find that right hire today! Post Your Jobs


Tax Preparation

If you enjoy working with numbers but do not want to spend years training for a career, you may want to consider a career in tax preparation. In fact, you can take tax preparation courses online so that you can continue your present schedule. You will learn how to prepare tax returns for individuals and small businesses, and you will learn how to use professional tax preparation software.

Tax preparation involves interviewing individuals about their financial information in order to accurately prepare their tax returns. Preparers may need to conduct research in order to find answers to complex tax questions. However, tax preparation software enables new preparers to begin their careers soon after taking tax preparation courses.

Although the busy tax season generally runs from January until the middle of April, tax preparation careers can be found throughout the year. Many businesses need to file quarterly tax reports, and so there are always tax preparation jobs. Of course, the more educated and experienced the preparer is, the more choices he or she will have when it comes to working in the tax preparation field.

Individuals can take income tax preparation courses from the comfort of their homes. Whether you are interested in changing careers or are unemployed, now is a good time to start income tax preparation training. Once you have earned tax preparation certification, you will be qualified to work anywhere in the country. This is another advantage of choosing this line of work, as you are not required to live in a certain area in order to find work once your training is complete.

Many individuals who are interested in a tax preparation career want to learn how to start a tax preparation business. This is an ideal business for someone who wants to work out of their home. Once you have the training, you can prepare federal income tax returns for locals as well as for long-distance customers. Many individuals who have completed tax preparation training set up websites where they advertise their services. Even if you begin your career working for a tax preparation franchise or for a private firm, you can always open your own business when you are ready.

Tax preparation certification will enable you to have a flexible career. Whether you work for someone else or open your own business, you will be able to put your skills to work as soon as you complete your training. As your experience grows, you will have more career choices. If you enjoy working with numbers, consider how your future can be brighter by preparing for tax preparation careers.

Salary Comparison: Tax Preparation
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The salary range for Tax Preparation begins around $17,680 and usually tops out around $64,270, with a mean in the neighborhood of $40,975. This is about 6% lower than the national average for annual salaries.

In order to qualify for most Tax Preparation positions, you typically need to have a Certification or higher.

Growth Outlook: Tax Preparation
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The growth outlook for Tax Preparation careers is estimated at about 16% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Tax Preparation jobs are expected to grow at a 58% higher rate than the national average for annual salaries.