Tax Preparer Resume—Sample, Job Description & Guide

You’re one of the few people on the planet who isn’t afraid of the IRS. And what’s more, you have the power to help others deal with their taxes. That should be enough to get hired anywhere in under 5 minutes, right? 

It should, but unfortunately that’s not the case. There’s plenty of competition for every tax preparer vacancy, and you need to stand out if you want a chance at an interview. And it all stars with a job-winning tax preparer resume. 

In this guide:

• A tax preparer resume sample that gets jobs.
• How to ace your tax preparer job description on a resume.
• How to write a resume for a tax preparer that gets the interview.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a tax preparer job.

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Are you looking for other jobs in the finance industry? Take a look at our guide:

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• Entry-Level Accountant Resume Example
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume Example
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• Tax Accountant Resume Example

Tax Preparer Resume Sample

Tax preparers prepare, calculate, and file income taxes for individuals and businesses. The purpose of your tax preparer resume is to show you have up-to-date knowledge of the ever-changing tax law and can provide pieces of advice on the most complicated cases. 

Here’s how to write a great tax preparer resume:

1. Start With the Right Tax Preparer Resume Format

How to succeed in the role of tax preparer? For starters, you need to know how to structure essential documents. Otherwise, the tax office won’t even look at them. 

The same holds true for your tax preparer resume. Here are some tips and tricks to make the job easier:

• Choose the right resume type: there are several resume formats to choose from. For tax preparers, the reverse-chronological resume format is the best choice. It basically means listing your most recent experience first, followed by older entries. 
• Select a classic resume font, like Arial or Calibri, in 10–12 pt. You wouldn’t generate an invoice in Comic Sans—the same goes for your resume! 
• Apply 1” resume margins on all sides of the document. 
• Stick to a one-page resume unless you have 10+ years of professional experience. In that case, opt for a two-page resume. 
• Include these sections in your resume: header, summary, experience, education, and skills. Any additional sections, like certifications or foreign languages, may help you stand apart from other candidates. 

In the first stage of the recruitment process, resumes are often analyzed by ATS. To avoid the risk of having your document bounced, preserve the resume layout by saving your job application as a PDF file.

2. Write an Interesting Tax Preparer Resume Objective or Summary

Seconds decide whether your tax preparer resume catches the eye of the hiring manager. Since every moment counts, you must ensure that your resume is compelling from the start. How do you do that?

By introducing yourself with a resume profile—a highlight of your best assets that tops your resume. If you already have some experience, write a career summary statement: 

1. One adjective (efficient, data-driven, diligent)
2. Job title (Tax Preparer)
3. Years of experience (4+, 5+)
4. What you’ll bring to the table (prepare 100% accurate tax statements)
5. Your most impressive 2–3 achievements (saved a client $15,000 in unnecessary spending by identifying and applying appropriate deductions)

Are you applying for your first job? No problem. Include a resume objective statement instead. 

In the absence of tax-related professional accomplishments and experience, use achievements from other jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular projects you’ve done. If you’re a recent grad, academic achievements are fair game, too—think high GPA or relevant extracurriculars. 

Expert Hint: It’s normal to struggle with writing your career profile. Write it at the very end.It will be much easier and quicker. 

3. Add a Targeted Tax Preparer Job Description and Skills Sections

Your resume work experience section should show future employers that you have the experience necessary to succeed in the role. There is a simple way to do that. You need to remember two things before you start writing this section. 

Firstly, focus on your professional achievements. Show your passion for the job and distinguish yourself from candidates who may focus on more ordinary duties. Secondly, use the job ad as a guide and target your resume to each vacancy. No two tax preparer jobs are completely identical: employers may focus on slightly different qualities and experience. Meet their needs by tailoring your resume to each job posting. 

How to write a tailored tax preparer job description for resumes:

1. Read the job ad very carefully.
2. Highlight the resume keywords—skills, qualities, and specific types of experience your future employer is looking for.
3. Think about times you’ve shown those skills in the past.
4. Write down resume bullet points based on the previous point. Use numbers and action words where possible. 

There is one more resume section for you to shine. Namely, your skills section.

Again, don’t list all skills you’ve acquired through the years. Less is more. Use the job ad as a filter and mention only the relevant skills for the particular position for which you’re applying. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Tax Preparer Resume Skills

• Tax Law
• Tax Returns
• Attention to Detail
• GAAP
• Payroll Taxes
• Tax Reductions
• Account Analysis
• Income Tax Regulations
• Foreign Tax Regulations
• Mathematical Skills
• Tax Software
• QuickBooks
• TurboTax
• TaxAct
• Excel
• Multitasking
• Customer Service
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• Computer Skills
• Time Management Skills

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4. Turn Your Education Into a Reason to Hire You

Even though most tax preparer roles don’t require a college degree, it’s never a good idea to skip the education section on your resume. You don’t want to leave the recruiter wondering why you neglected to mention it.

If you already have some experience, simply list the details of the highest level of education you’ve obtained, be it high school or college. The name of the institution, degree or diploma, and years of attendance will suffice. 

If you’re writing a resume with no experience, add extra bullet points to the education section on your tax preparer resume. State any extracurricular activities, relevant coursework, projects, academic achievements, and GPA (but only if it’s 3.7 or above). Anything to show your transferable skills and potential! 

5. Include Extra Sections on Your Tax Preparer Resume

Is there anything more you can do to stand out in the crowd? Yes!

Add sections with additional information, focusing on things that are relevant to the role and can come in useful in your professional life. Remember to include your certifications and licenses—prospective employers have to know what type of tax preparer accreditation(s) you have. Consider also including one or two of the following optional sections: 

• Foreign Languages
• Awards
• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteering
• Professional associations
• Publications and projects
• Professional references

And one final note: write a cover letter! Not every employer explicitly asks for one, but it’s always a good idea to include it. It’s your chance to convince the recruiter to give you a call! 

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Key Points

How to write a tax preparer resume:

• Format your resume correctly. Use the guide mentioned at the beginning of the article. 
• Start with a resume summary or objective, depending on your previous experience. 
• Use reverse-chronological order and start with the most recent job. 
• Add a targeted skills section using resume keywords found in the job description. 
• Attach a cover letter to your application.

Do you have any questions about writing a resume for tax preparer jobs? Or do you need any help with organizing your job description section? Let’s chat below in the comments!

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