Tax Accountants

Tax accountants prepare tax returns and forms for corporations and individuals. They may work for large companies, medium-sized businesses, or with individual clients. They review clients' financial information and advise clients on steps they can take to minimize or eliminate tax liabilities. They use the data they collect to prepare financial reports, calculate taxes owed, complete tax returns, and ensure that clients file their tax returns and pay their taxes on time.

Tax accountants keep clients apprised of tax laws and any changes to the tax laws that may affect their businesses or their individual tax plans and filings. They follow accounting industry standards for creating financial statements and tax returns. They follow what is known as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in conducting their work. They also adhere to federal, state, and local tax accounting and reporting requirements.

In addition to having strong mathematical skills and knowledge of government regulations, tax accountants need to be well versed in various accounting software programs. The types of programs they use for their work include accounting software such as Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; database user interface and query software like Microsoft Access; enterprise resource planning software such as Oracle PeopleSoft and Microsoft Dynamics; financial analysis software such as Brentmark Estate Planning Quickview; as well as tax preparation software like ATX Total Tax Office and Intuit Lacerte, to name only a few.