Career Advice for a Tax Preparer

As a Tax Preparer, you will assist individuals and businesses in preparing and filing their tax returns.

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How to Become a Tax Preparer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Tax Preparer

Should you wish to work as a Tax Preparer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Tax Preparer

  • A Level 2 or 3 qualification in Accounting or Bookkeeping.
  • A Diploma in Accounting or Taxation.
  • Membership in a professional accounting body such as ACCA or CIMA.

Key Responsibilities for a Tax Preparer

  • Preparing and filing tax returns for individuals and businesses.
  • Advising clients on tax laws and regulations.
  • Maintaining accurate financial records.
  • Communicating with clients and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) regarding tax matters.
  • Staying up-to-date with changes in tax laws and regulations.
  • Providing excellent customer service to clients.

What to expect as a Tax Preparer

As a Tax Preparer in the UK, you could work for accounting firms, tax preparation companies, or as a self-employed professional.

Recommended Tax Preparer Jobs

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How to get Tax Preparer Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Tax Preparer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Tax Preparer application. If you have not held a Tax Preparer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Tax Preparer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Tax Preparer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Tax Preparer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Tax Preparer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Tax Preparer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Tax Preparer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Tax Preparer experience.

How to get Tax Preparer Experience

What does it take to be a Tax Preparer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Tax Preparer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Tax Preparer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Tax Preparer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Tax Preparer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Tax Preparer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Tax Preparer freelance work

If you have impressive Tax Preparer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.