Business & Finance
Tax Preparers
Also called: CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Preparer, Tax Accountant
US median pay
$54,920
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.7%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
9,400
95,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
What they do day to day
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
- Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
- Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
- Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
- Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
- Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Instructing2.8/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Persuasion2.6/5
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Law and Government3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma38%
- Bachelor's degree24%
- Post-secondary certificate24%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.