Top 12 Tax Preparer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the intricate world of tax preparation, showcasing the right blend of skills on your resume can significantly elevate your professional appeal to potential employers. This article outlines the top 12 tax preparer skills that, when highlighted on your resume, can demonstrate your proficiency and dedication to the field, making you a standout candidate in a competitive job market.

Tax Preparer Skills

1. QuickBooks
2. TurboTax
3. Excel
4. Drake Software
5. ProConnect
6. TaxAct
7. H&R Block Software
8. Lacerte
9. CCH Axcess
10. IRS e-file
11. ATX Solution
12. TaxWise

1. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an accounting software designed to help businesses manage their financial transactions, including tracking expenses, creating invoices, and preparing tax documents, thereby simplifying tax preparation for tax preparers.

Why It's Important

QuickBooks is essential for a Tax Preparer because it streamlines financial record-keeping and reporting, enabling accurate and efficient tax preparation and compliance.

How to Improve QuickBooks Skills

To improve QuickBooks for a Tax Preparer, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Leverage QuickBooks Online Accountant: Access to this version provides tools tailored for tax professionals, allowing for streamlined management of client data and easier collaboration. QuickBooks Online Accountant Information.

2. Integrate with Tax Software: Use integrations like Intuit ProConnect to sync QuickBooks data directly with your tax preparation software, reducing manual data entry. Intuit ProConnect.

3. Stay Updated with Training: Utilize the training resources and certifications available through QuickBooks to stay updated on the latest features and best practices. Training and Certification.

4. Utilize Automated Data Entry Tools: Tools like Receipt Bank or Hubdoc can automate data entry from receipts and invoices directly into QuickBooks, ensuring accuracy and saving time. Receipt Bank and Hubdoc.

5. Regularly Review and Clean Up Data: Periodic reviews of your QuickBooks data for accuracy and completeness can help maintain its integrity and ensure smoother tax preparation processes.

6. Customize Reports for Tax Preparation: Use the customization features in QuickBooks to create reports that are specifically tailored to your needs as a tax preparer, making it easier to access the necessary financial information.

By focusing on integration, automation, education, and customization, tax preparers can significantly enhance their efficiency and accuracy when working with QuickBooks.

How to Display QuickBooks Skills on Your Resume

2. TurboTax

TurboTax is a software program designed to assist individuals and tax preparers in filing federal and state income tax returns by simplifying the process through step-by-step guidance and automatic calculations.

Why It's Important

TurboTax is important for a Tax Preparer because it simplifies and automates the tax preparation process, ensuring accuracy, compliance with tax laws, and maximizing deductions and credits for clients, thereby saving time and reducing errors.

How to Improve TurboTax Skills

Improving TurboTax for a Tax Preparer involves enhancing accuracy, customization, and integration capabilities.

1. Enhance Accuracy: Incorporate more sophisticated algorithms and real-time updates to tax laws, ensuring the software provides the most accurate tax calculations and advice. Partner with tax professionals and the IRS for updates (IRS Source).

2. Customization for Professionals: Develop features tailored for tax professionals, such as advanced deductions management and client portfolio management, allowing for a more personalized service (ProConnect).

3. Seamless Integration: Ensure TurboTax can easily integrate with other financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) used by professionals for a streamlined workflow, reducing manual data entry and errors (QuickBooks Integration).

4. Enhanced Security: Implement advanced security measures, including two-factor authentication and encryption, to protect sensitive client data (TurboTax Security).

5. Professional Training and Support: Offer specialized training programs and dedicated support for tax professionals to maximize the software's benefits and address specific queries quickly (Intuit ProConnect Training).

By focusing on these areas, TurboTax can better meet the complex needs of tax preparers, ultimately leading to more efficient and accurate tax preparation for their clients.

How to Display TurboTax Skills on Your Resume

3. Excel

Excel is a spreadsheet program used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data, often utilized by tax preparers for calculating, summarizing, and analyzing tax data efficiently.

Why It's Important

Excel is crucial for Tax Preparers because it enables efficient organization, calculation, and analysis of financial data, ensuring accuracy and compliance in tax preparation.

How to Improve Excel Skills

To improve Excel proficiency for tax preparation, focus on mastering key areas:

1. Learn Advanced Formulas: Understand formulas like VLOOKUP, INDEX(MATCH), and SUMIFS for efficient data handling. ExcelJet offers concise explanations.

2. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use Macros and VBA to automate repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency. Excel Easy provides a straightforward guide.

3. Data Visualization: Master PivotTables and Charts for insightful data analysis and presentation. Chandoo is a great resource.

4. Error Checking: Learn to use Excel’s error checking functions and conditional formatting to ensure accuracy in computations and data entry. Microsoft Support has helpful tutorials.

5. Stay Updated: Excel is constantly updated; stay informed on new features and tools through Microsoft’s Excel Blog.

6. Security: Understand how to protect sensitive data using Excel’s security features like password protection and encryption. Ablebits provides a guide on securing your data.

7. External Data Sources: Learn to import data from external sources (e.g., IRS websites, financial institutions) for more comprehensive analysis. Contextures offers a primer on importing external data into Excel.

By focusing on these areas, a tax preparer can significantly enhance their Excel skills, leading to more efficient and accurate tax preparation.

How to Display Excel Skills on Your Resume

4. Drake Software

Drake Software is a comprehensive tax preparation software designed for professional tax preparers, offering tools for preparing, filing, and managing tax returns for individuals and businesses efficiently.

Why It's Important

Drake Software is important for a Tax Preparer because it provides comprehensive, user-friendly tax preparation software that streamlines the filing process, ensures accuracy, and enhances efficiency in handling diverse client tax scenarios.

How to Improve Drake Software Skills

Improving Drake Software for a Tax Preparer involves optimizing efficiency, enhancing accuracy, and staying updated on tax laws. Here are concise tips:

1. Utilize Drake Training: Engage in Drake Software training to master software features and updates.
2. Customize Settings: Tailor Drake's settings to your workflow for faster data entry and review. Refer to the Software Settings Guide for customization options.
3. Leverage Drake Tax Planner: Use the Tax Planner for future tax strategy planning with clients, enhancing advisory services.
4. Stay Updated: Regularly check for software updates within Drake to ensure you're using the latest tax tables and features.
5. Use Drake Support: For complex issues, utilize Drake Support for guidance and troubleshooting.
6. Engage with the Community: Participate in forums and user groups, such as the Drake Community, to exchange tips and best practices.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your efficiency and effectiveness as a tax preparer using Drake Software.

How to Display Drake Software Skills on Your Resume

5. ProConnect

ProConnect is a cloud-based professional tax software designed for tax preparers, offering comprehensive tools for tax preparation, filing, and workflow management.

Why It's Important

ProConnect is important for a Tax Preparer because it streamlines tax preparation and filing processes, enhances accuracy with up-to-date tax law integrations, and facilitates secure client data management, ultimately saving time and increasing efficiency.

How to Improve ProConnect Skills

Improving ProConnect for a Tax Preparer involves focusing on efficiency, accuracy, and client collaboration. Here are concise steps to achieve this:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly update your software to access the latest tax laws and features for accurate filing. ProConnect's support page offers guidance on updates.

2. Utilize Integrated Tools: Maximize efficiency by using integrated tools like Intuit Link for secure document collection and sharing with clients. This enhances collaboration and reduces errors. Check out Intuit Link for more details.

3. Customize Templates: Tailor client communication templates to save time and maintain professionalism. ProConnect offers customization options, allowing you to streamline your workflow.

4. Invest in Training: Take advantage of ProConnect's training resources to improve your software proficiency, ensuring you utilize all its capabilities to the fullest. Explore training options at ProConnect Training.

5. Implement E-Signatures: Use e-signature capabilities for tax returns to expedite the review and filing process, ensuring timely submissions. This feature also enhances client satisfaction by simplifying the signing process.

6. Leverage Analytics: Use ProConnect's analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into your practice, helping you make informed decisions to improve service delivery.

7. Feedback and Support: Regularly provide feedback and engage with ProConnect's support team for any issues or suggestions. This can lead to software improvements that benefit all users. Visit ProConnect Support for assistance.

By focusing on these areas, a tax preparer can significantly enhance their efficiency and service quality using ProConnect.

How to Display ProConnect Skills on Your Resume

6. TaxAct

TaxAct is a tax preparation software that enables tax preparers to electronically file individual and business tax returns for their clients.

Why It's Important

TaxAct is important for a tax preparer because it offers comprehensive, easy-to-use tax preparation software that streamlines the process of filing taxes for clients, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and maximizing deductions and credits.

How to Improve TaxAct Skills

Improving TaxAct for tax preparers could focus on enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and user experience. Here are a few concise recommendations:

1. Integrate Advanced AI and Machine Learning: Implement AI for more accurate tax predictions and to tailor advice, improving decision-making for tax preparers. AI in Tax Preparation.

2. Expand Integrations: Offer seamless integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero for easier data import/export, reducing manual data entry. Benefits of Integration.

3. Enhance Security Features: Strengthen security protocols and encryption to protect sensitive client data, fostering trust. Tax Information Security.

4. User Interface (UI) Improvements: Make the interface more intuitive and responsive, especially for complex tax situations, to reduce learning curves and improve efficiency. UI Best Practices.

5. Comprehensive Training and Support: Provide in-depth training resources and responsive support for tax preparers to navigate complex scenarios and new features. Effective Training Strategies.

6. Regular Updates on Tax Laws: Offer real-time updates and concise summaries on tax law changes to keep preparers informed and compliant. Staying Updated with Tax Laws.

By focusing on these areas, TaxAct can significantly enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and overall experience for tax preparers.

How to Display TaxAct Skills on Your Resume

7. H&R Block Software

H&R Block Software is a tax preparation program designed for individuals and professionals, offering tools and features to accurately prepare and file tax returns, ensuring compliance with tax laws and maximizing deductions and credits.

Why It's Important

H&R Block Software is important for a Tax Preparer because it streamlines the tax preparation process, ensures accuracy in tax calculations, and offers up-to-date compliance with tax laws, thereby enhancing efficiency and reliability in providing tax services to clients.

How to Improve H&R Block Software Skills

Improving H&R Block Software for tax preparers can focus on enhancing user experience, accuracy, and integration capabilities. Here are concise recommendations:

1. User Experience Enhancement: Simplify the user interface for efficiency and ease of navigation, ensuring that common tasks are more intuitive. User Interface Design

2. Accuracy Improvement: Incorporate real-time updates for tax laws and regulations to ensure accuracy. Integrate an AI-powered error detection tool for common mistakes. AI in Tax Preparation

3. Integration Capabilities: Enhance the ability to integrate with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) for seamless data transfer and minimize manual data entry. Benefits of Software Integration

4. Customizable Reports: Allow tax preparers to customize reports easily, catering to different client needs. Custom Reports

5. Security Features: Strengthen security features, including two-factor authentication and encryption, to protect sensitive client data. Cybersecurity Best Practices

6. Educational Resources: Provide access to a comprehensive library of educational resources and updates on tax laws, enhancing the preparer's knowledge and service quality. Continuing Education

By focusing on these areas, H&R Block Software can significantly improve its service offering for tax preparers, enhancing both efficiency and client satisfaction.

How to Display H&R Block Software Skills on Your Resume

8. Lacerte

Lacerte is a comprehensive, professional tax preparation software designed for tax preparers to efficiently manage and process individual and business tax filings.

Why It's Important

Lacerte is important for a Tax Preparer because it offers comprehensive, time-saving tools for complex tax preparation and filing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the latest tax laws.

How to Improve Lacerte Skills

Improving your experience with Lacerte as a tax preparer involves optimizing efficiency, enhancing accuracy, and staying updated with the latest tax laws and software updates. Here’s how to achieve that:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly update your Lacerte software to ensure you have the latest tax laws and features. Intuit, Lacerte's parent company, provides updates and support here.

2. Utilize Training Resources: Enhance your proficiency by using the training resources offered by Intuit. Access webinars, tutorials, and articles to stay proficient and learn new features here.

3. Implement E-Filing: Maximize efficiency by e-filing returns. Lacerte supports e-filing for most forms, which speeds up processing and helps you manage deadlines better. Learn more about e-filing with Lacerte here.

4. Use Templates and Checklists: Create templates for common types of returns to streamline data entry. Utilize checklists to ensure completeness and accuracy of returns before submission.

5. Leverage Integrated Tools: Take advantage of integrated tools within Lacerte like the Tax Analyzer and Diagnostic tools to catch errors and optimize tax strategies for clients.

6. Participate in User Communities: Join Lacerte user communities and forums to share tips, ask questions, and get advice from other professionals. This can be a valuable resource for troubleshooting and learning best practices.

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your efficiency and accuracy as a tax preparer using Lacerte.

How to Display Lacerte Skills on Your Resume

9. CCH Axcess

CCH Axcess is a cloud-based software suite designed for tax professionals, offering integrated tax preparation, compliance, and workflow management tools to streamline the tax filing process.

Why It's Important

CCH Axcess is crucial for tax preparers as it streamlines tax preparation and compliance workflows, enhances accuracy through integrated tax research and data management, and improves client service with real-time access to tax data and documents.

How to Improve CCH Axcess Skills

Improving CCH Axcess for a Tax Preparer involves several strategies aimed at enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and overall user experience. Consider the following approaches:

1. Training and Resources: Regularly update your knowledge through CCH Axcess training courses and CCH AnswerConnect for real-time access to tax research information, ensuring you leverage all functionalities efficiently.

2. Customization: Personalize your workspace and templates in CCH Axcess to align with your workflow. This can significantly reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.

3. Automation: Utilize the CCH Axcess Workflow to automate routine processes, such as client data collection and document management, improving accuracy and saving time.

4. Integration: Leverage integration capabilities with other software tools and applications you use, such as accounting or document management systems, for a seamless workflow.

5. Feedback and Updates: Regularly provide feedback to Wolters Kluwer on features or enhancements you believe could improve CCH Axcess. Also, stay updated on the latest releases and updates for new features and improvements.

6. Security Measures: Enhance security by regularly reviewing and updating user access levels, using strong, unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect sensitive client data.

By focusing on these strategies, you can significantly improve your efficiency and effectiveness as a Tax Preparer using CCH Axcess.

How to Display CCH Axcess Skills on Your Resume

10. IRS e-file

IRS e-file is the electronic filing system for submitting tax returns directly to the IRS, allowing tax preparers to securely transmit their clients' tax documents online for faster processing and quicker refunds.

Why It's Important

IRS e-file is important for a Tax Preparer because it ensures faster processing of returns, immediate confirmation of submission, reduces errors, and enhances the security of sensitive taxpayer information.

How to Improve IRS e-file Skills

To improve IRS e-file as a Tax Preparer:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly visit the IRS e-Services for the latest updates on e-filing services and requirements.
2. Use Authorized Software: Employ IRS-approved e-file software that meets current tax preparation and e-filing standards.
3. Obtain an EFIN: Ensure you have an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) by applying through the IRS e-Services.
4. Educate Yourself: Take advantage of IRS e-file training and resources to enhance your knowledge and skills.
5. Ensure Data Security: Implement strong security measures as advised by the IRS Tax Security 101 to protect taxpayer information.
6. Quality Control: Before submission, double-check returns for errors or omissions to reduce the chance of rejections.

By following these steps, you can streamline your e-filing process, ensuring efficiency and security.

How to Display IRS e-file Skills on Your Resume

11. ATX Solution

ATX Solution is a comprehensive tax preparation software designed for tax professionals, offering a wide range of federal and state forms, powerful calculation tools, and extensive support for tax return filing and compliance.

Why It's Important

ATX Solution is important for a Tax Preparer because it streamlines tax preparation and filing processes through comprehensive, up-to-date tax compliance tools, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in handling diverse client tax scenarios.

How to Improve ATX Solution Skills

Improving your ATX Solution as a Tax Preparer involves several strategies focused on optimizing efficiency, ensuring accuracy, and staying updated with the latest tax codes and software features. Here's a concise guide:

1. Enhance Technical Skills: Regularly update your knowledge through ATX's training resources and webinars to improve your efficiency and accuracy.

2. Utilize ATX Software Updates: Stay current with ATX's updates and patches to leverage the latest tax laws and software improvements.

3. Implement Data Management Practices: Use cloud storage solutions for backup and easy access to client data. Consider options like Dropbox for secure storage.

4. Adopt Time Management Tools: Tools like Trello or Asana can help manage your workflow and deadlines more effectively.

5. Leverage E-filing: Ensure you're proficient with ATX's e-filing capabilities to streamline processes and reduce paper usage. This is also more convenient for your clients.

6. Secure Your Data: Invest in robust antivirus and cybersecurity solutions to protect your clients' sensitive information. Solutions like Norton or McAfee are reputable options.

7. Engage in Peer Communities: Join forums and social media groups, such as LinkedIn groups for tax professionals, to exchange tips, stay informed on industry trends, and receive support.

8. Feedback and Review Mechanism: Implement a system to gather feedback from clients to continuously improve your service. Tools like SurveyMonkey can facilitate this process.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your proficiency and efficiency with ATX Solution, ultimately benefiting both your workflow and your clients.

How to Display ATX Solution Skills on Your Resume

12. TaxWise

TaxWise is a professional tax preparation software designed for tax preparers, offering tools and features to efficiently manage and file clients' tax returns electronically.

Why It's Important

TaxWise is important for a tax preparer because it streamlines the tax filing process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in preparing various tax returns, ultimately saving time and reducing errors.

How to Improve TaxWise Skills

Improving your efficiency and effectiveness with TaxWise as a Tax Preparer involves several strategies:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly check the TaxWise News for the latest software updates and tax law changes.

2. Use TaxWise Training: Take advantage of the TaxWise Online Training courses to learn new features and best practices.

3. Implement Templates: Customize and use templates for common tax scenarios to streamline your workflow.

4. Leverage E-Filing: Utilize TaxWise's e-filing capabilities to increase efficiency and reduce errors.

5. Optimize Security: Follow best practices for data security to protect sensitive client information.

6. Network and Share Tips: Join TaxWise user groups or forums to share tips and learn from other professionals.

By staying informed, leveraging available resources, and continuously seeking to improve your processes, you can enhance your proficiency with TaxWise and provide better service to your clients.

How to Display TaxWise Skills on Your Resume