How to Build a Career As a Tax Consultant

Are you excited to build a career as a tax consultant? If yes, then you are in the right place. As a tax consultant, you will be advising clients on their income tax returns along with other financial matters, such as retirement taxes, state taxes, and trust taxes.

Read on to learn more about how you can become a tax consultant.

Get The Education

Of course, you can only acquire the much-needed knowledge by getting enrolled in free tax courses; however, it is certainly recommended to get a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting first. With your bachelor’s degree, you can actually get real-life experience in accounting and business administration; however, if you want to enhance your qualifications as a tax consultant, we recommend getting a master’s degree as well.

For those looking to start learning the fundamentals before committing to a degree program, Intuit Academy offers self-paced tax and accounting courses that help build practical skills and confidence. 

Get Practical Experience

After you have signed up for a tax course or completed your degree, it is time to put your knowledge to the test with practical experience. Of course, there is no better way to gain typical and relevant experience than participating in internships or securing an entry-level position as an accountant. You should know that many employers are looking for taxation consultants; they want professional advisors with multiple years of relevant experience, which is why internships are in your best interest.

Earn Advanced Degrees

Now, if you really want to climb the ladder in your career, you might want to opt for advanced degrees in accounting, such as a master’s degree. An advanced degree will provide you with advanced knowledge and professional expertise that can align with the educational requirements of several options for certifications and licenses as a professional tax consultant. 

Become An Enrolled Tax Agent

Did you know that you can actually become an enrolled tax agent? All you need to do is complete the special enrollment examination, which is also referred to as SEE. After you have successfully completed the enrollment examination, it is time to apply for enrollment with the IRS. After you have passed the suitability check with the IRS, you will actually gain eligibility to represent potential taxpayers.

Opt for CPA

Speaking of the advanced path as a tax consultant, you have the option of becoming a CPA, which stands for certified public accountant. Now, to become a professional CPA, you must complete the examination, of course, and subsequently get practical experience with a CPA licensure in your respective state. Once you have completed the license, you can efficiently qualify as a representative of the taxpayers of your state in front of the IRS.

You Have Several Paths to Choose From

You should know that if you want to become a professional tax consultant, you have several paths to choose from. However, it all comes down to the respective educational pathway that you choose to become a professional tax consultant. It is important to know that this field has really no necessary requirements in general; however, many employers actually prefer potential candidates with some sort of formal education in accounting and business administration.

With that said, an accounting degree or a free tax course can significantly improve your chances of landing a job as a professional tax consultant.