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5 Tax Preparer Resume Examples...

5 Tax Preparer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

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All resume examples in this guide

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INDUSTRY STATS

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tax Preparer positions are at a -4% growth rate, which is negative. With that said, there are currently 56,900 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to decrease by -2,100 to 54,800 in the period of 2020-30.

What’s more, the median annual wage for the Tax Preparer jobs was $55,640 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,180, and the highest 10% more than $105,430.

Our conclusion? The Tax Preparer job market is facing competition due to decreasing demand.

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Top tax preparer sections that make the best resume

  • Header
  • Professional summary
  • Experience (with numbers and results)
  • Relevant skills
  • Education
  • Certifications

How to write a tax preparer resume experience section

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Tax preparer resume's job experience checklist:
  • Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
  • Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
  • Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
  • Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
  • Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.

The work experience samples below come from real Tax Preparer resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:

Work Experience
Tax Preparer/Calling card distributor
Moxie Marketing
2018-2020
  • Prepared hundreds of tax returns
  • Taught computer classes to community members
  • Distributor of international calling cards in central NC
Work Experience
Licensed Tax Preparer
Miller - Windler
2017-2021
  • Prepared both personal and business taxes for clients.
  • Completed 6 week tax prep course and received federal license.
  • Have never had a tax return flagged or fail an audit.
Work Experience
Personal Income Tax Preparer
Epic Adventure Inc
2009-2014
  • Increased revenue by 50% from 2014-2016.
  • Answering clients’ queries about appropriate tax deductions in a timely manner.
  • Using all appropriate credits and deductions to keep clients' taxes payable to a minimum.
  • Reviewing documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
  • E-filing of T1’s income tax returns to Canada Revenue Agency.
Work Experience
Tax Preparer (Internship)
DuBuque, Conroy and Durgan
2015-2017
  • Prepared simple to complex tax returns for individual clients
  • Specialized in ITIN’s, Multi-State Returns, Foreign Tax Credits, and Visa status
  • Created more than 800 tax returns, and worked more than 940 hours during the tax season
  • Answered emails regarding tax situation, audits, and relevant tax benefits during the off-season
  • Worked while attending a class
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Flux
2015-2017
  • Prepared over 250 simple/complex income tax returns for individuals
  • Used all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients’ taxes to a minimum
  • Reviewed previous financial records to effectively prepare the return
  • Directly communicated with client or partner in charge to obtain additional information
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Nixue Root
2019-2021
  • Prepared over 250 simple/complex income tax returns for individuals
  • Used all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients’ taxes to a minimum
  • Directly communicated with client or partner in charge to obtain additional information
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Quads
2015-2019
  • Prepared over 250 simple/complex income tax returns for individuals
  • Used all appropriate adjustments to keep clients’ taxes to a minimum
  • Directly communicated with client or partner in charge to obtain additional information
Work Experience
Tax Preparer (Co-Op)
Kozey - Bogisich
2012-2018
  • Provided tax advice to clients and collaboratively worked with clients to provide optimal solutions
  • Reviewed clients’ tax forms and financial information
  • Prepared clients’ income tax returns and submitted accurately to the government with ProFile software
  • Greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in-person inquiries/requests for information
  • Performed general office duties: filing, scanning, mail processing, and data entry
Work Experience
Seasonal Tax Preparer Manager
McClure, Leuschke and Balistreri
2016-2017
  • Advise clients in the tax preparation process and prepare and file tax documents.
  • Interviewed clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
  • Take incoming calls from clients to answer tax questions and set up tax preparation appointments.
Work Experience
Licensed Tax Preparer
Metz - McCullough
2020-2022
  • Filed tax returns and prepared government reports in compliance with strict standards
  • Computed taxes owed by applying prescribed rates, laws and regulations
  • Prepared financial documents for presentation to senior management
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Bonefete Fun
2021-2022
  • Responsible for income tax preparation for individuals and companies
  • Question clients to obtain information on taxable income and deductible expenses
  • Enter and verify forms prepared by customers to detect errors in data entry
  • Evaluate financial records such as 1099’S, W2’s, income statements and documentation of expenditures
  • Developing and maintaining over 300 clients
  • Conducting initial meetings and follow up with clients
  • Productively network and market business to develop customer base and increase clientèle
Work Experience
Licensed Tax Preparer
Obelus Concepts
2017-2018
  • Filed tax returns and prepared government reports in compliance with strict standards
  • Computed taxes owed by applying prescribed rates, laws, and regulations
  • Prepared financial documents for presentation to senior management
Work Experience
Bookkeeper/Tax Preparer
Hermiston LLC
2018-2020
  • Prepared over 500 tax returns during tax season.
  • Interviewed clients and reviewed their financial documents to evaluate credit eligibilities and recommended action plans, seeking best results for clients.
  • Reviewed and verified accuracy of tax returns prepared by other Bookkeepers.
  • Set up PA sales tax licenses and filed quarterly sales tax returns.
  • Performed bookkeeping services for business clients including monthly, quarterly, and annual profit and loss statements.
  • Issued 1099's to subcontractors.
  • Notarized vehicle title transfers and registration renewals.
Work Experience
Sales Associate/Tax Preparer
Littel Group
2017-2018
  • Charged with developing and executing sales strategies nationwide
  • Handled escalated customer service issues by using approved company procedure
  • Prepare Federal and State tax returns according to IRS law face to face and over the phone
Work Experience
Financial Advisor & Tax Preparer
Littel Group
2018-2020
  • Performed research and analysis on mutual funds for inclusion in firm's model portfolios and presented recommendations to Investment Committee
  • Prepared and completed 270 individual, partnership, fiduciary and corporate tax returns
  • Developed strong, trusting relationships with tax preparation clients that led to financial investing and insurance product sales
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Waters and Sons
2015-2019
  • Received a financial bonus for serving more than 300 customers during the 2008 tax season
  • Focused on giving 150 clients the best service with timely and accurate tax return completion
  • Completed 6 week tax prep course and received federal license
Work Experience
Tax Preparer
Kozey - Bogisich
2012-2014
  • Preparation of consolidated tax returns with turnover of over $50 million
  • Managed a young group of 15 tax and legal professionals
  • Created more than 800 tax returns, and worked more than 940 hours during the tax season
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PRO TIP

Check the Tax Preparer job description for inspiration. Look for similarities between your employer’s values and your experience.

Action verbs for your tax preparer resume

At Enhancv, we went through countless Tax Preparer resumes and uncovered which are the unique words people use to spice up their resumes. Forget about buzzwords - use these power words instead to make your experience section shine.

Tax Preparer Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters

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Resume skills section checklist:
  • Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
  • Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
  • Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
  • Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top skills for your tax preparer resume
HARD SKILLS

MFC

RPC

WCF

WPF

SAP

BW

Tableau

Alteryx

Spotfire

SAS

SOFT SKILLS

Communication

Planning and organisation

Prioritization

Efficiency

Responsibility

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Customer service

Phone Etiquette

Discretion

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PRO TIP

Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.

what to write in your resume header
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Checklist for your tax preparer resume header
  • Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
  • The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
  • Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
  • Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
  • Email address
  • Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)

Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:

  • first.last@gmail.com
  • last.first@gmail.com
  • firstlast@gmail.com
  • f.last@gmail.com
  • first.l@gmail.com
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PRO TIP

Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Tax Preparer resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.

Tax preparer resume summary best practices

what to write in your resume summary
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Checklist: What to include in your Tax Preparer resume summary:
  • Years of experience;
  • Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
  • One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
  • Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
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Resume summary formula:
Resume Summary Formula: [Adjective] [job title] with [number] years of experience in [industry], a proven ability to [relevant, measurable skills], and a strong background in [relevant context of your work experience] seeks a position as [the job title you’re applying for].
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PRO TIP

Read the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.

Listing your education, certifications and courses

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resume education section checklist:
  • Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
  • Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
  • Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
  • Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
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Top Certifications for your Tax Preparer Resume
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Tax Preparation: Learn Fast! Prepare Taxes with Confidence!

Become a confident tax preparer by learning about taxes and applications over practical examples and scenarios.

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How to Prepare Your U.S. Federal Tax Returns Online

Master Income Tax Preparation Using TurboTax

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Tax Preparation and Law 2021, 2020, 2019 & 2018 - Income Tax

Income tax preparation Form 1040 and supporting schedules taught by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

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How to Become a Tax Preparer and Earn Big Part-Time

Includes Marketing, Online and Offline, How to Grow Your Business

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Fundamentals of Business Taxes

Learn the fundamentals of business taxes and understand the basics of doing taxes for your business

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PRO TIP

There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Tax Preparer. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.

How to write a tax preparer resume

There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:

The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.

Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.

Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.

Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.

Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:

To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.

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PRO TIP

Test your draft Tax Preparer resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.

Other sections to include in your resume

Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Tax Preparer resume:

Tax preparer resume: How to make yours more creative & stand out

When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Tax Preparer resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.

day of my life on resume   Enhancv resume section

What makes a great tax preparer resume: key takeaways

  • Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
  • Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
  • Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
  • Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
  • List soft skills backed by examples;
  • Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
  • Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
tax preparer resume example

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