Tax Accountants

High School

A good foundation for tax accounting includes courses in math, business, economics, government, and computers. Tax accountants also need strong communication skills to effectively share and discuss information with clients, so be sure to take English, communications, and writing classes. Knowledge of a foreign language is also helpful for international work.

Postsecondary Training

A bachelor's degree is required for tax accountant positions. Many accountants have degrees in accounting, but other majors may be in business, economics, or finance. Many students participate in internship programs at accounting firms as part of their college education. Tax accountants who file tax reports with the Securities and Exchange Committee must have the certified public accountant (CPA) designation, and a bachelor's degree is required to become a CPA. Major public accounting firms often prefer to hire tax accountants with a master's degree in accounting or a related field.

Certification

Certificate programs in general accounting, tax accounting, and related fields are provided by colleges and universities. For example, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a taxation graduate certificate program. To complete the certificate, students must take the following courses: Federal Taxation, Taxation of Business Entities, Multistate Taxation, and International Taxation. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

Tax accountants must stay current with tax regulations, tax reports, and accounting and business practices. They continue their education throughout their careers by taking classes and attending educational events and conferences offered by professional associations such as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the National Society of Accountants, and the National Association of Tax Professionals, among many others.