Career Opportunities for Tax Accountants

"One of the most important uses of...financial records is to help (organizations) comply with federal and state tax laws and prepare tax returns" (Accounting for Tax Purposes). Federal, state, and local tax laws are very complex. Therefore, accountants specializing in the area of tax law play a vital role in any business operation. Career opportunities in tax accounting are numerous. Following are some examples of positions that could be filled by tax accountants, along with a short description of the specific job duties and responsibilities, and an overview of the type of education and experience required for these jobs.

Individual Tax Prep Clerk - Individual is responsible for "researching tax laws and regulations, completing various individual tax returns, providing assistance during tax audits, and responding to notices from tax authorities" (Individual Tax Prep Clerk). Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Certified Public Accountant - Responsibilities of this position include financial statement preparation and preparation of corporation, partnership, individual, and fiduciary income tax returns. Requirements include a bachelor's degree, CPA certification, and two to four years of experience in the public accounting field (Certified Public Accountant).

Tax Accountant - Position is "responsible for the preparation and review of Federal and state and local income tax returns" (Hub Group, Inc.). An accounting degree is required and CPA certification is a plus. Two years of tax experience is required.

Tax Analyst - Position is responsible for assisting with income tax audits, foreign tax provisions, international tax accounts, and SEC footnotes. Will help to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, "coordinate compliance activities and returns, (and) oversee sales, tax filings and franchise tax returns" (Tax Analyst). Position requirements include a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, and two or more years experience in public accounting or private industry accounting.

Tax Manager - Position is responsible for managing the tax department, developing and mentoring staff, reviewing tax returns, implementing policies and procedures in relation to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and performing tax research. Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, CPA certification, and "a minimum of 4 years of relevant tax consulting experience" (Tax Manager).

Assistant Controller - Tax Administration and Grants and Contracts Accounting - This position is responsible for overall accountability for tax administration. Detailed responsibilities include "timely and accurate preparation of IRS Forms 990 and 990-T and related filings,...IRS Forms 1042-S, W-2, 1099, 941, 1098-T and related reporting...(and functioning as) the point person on all IRS and tax authority inquiries" (Assistant Controller). A bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, or other related field is required, as well as professional certification, such as CPA, CMA, CIA, or graduate degree in business or finance. In addition, five or more years of management experience is required.

Tax and Audit Director - Individual is responsible for financial statement preparation, "filing federal, state and local taxes for individuals and small businesses,...(and) financial audits of small and family-owned local business units" (Tax & Audit Director). Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field, and three or more years experience in public accounting.

Director Tax Planning - Position responsible to "initiate, develop, and implement transactions or programs to reduce the company's worldwide tax liability as well as identify opportunities for tax savings...(and) develop, recommend and implement alternatives that minimize the tax cost and maximize the resulting tax benefit" (Director Tax Planning). A bachelor's degree and CPA is required, as well as eight to ten years of tax experience.

Conclusion

This is only a short list of the extensive variety of accounting positions available to tax accountants. As this list illustrates, tax accountants are able to choose from an assortment of interesting, diverse, and exciting careers.

References

"Accounting for Tax Purposes." CCH Business Owner's Toolkit website. URL: http://www.toolkit.cch.com/text/P06_1600.asp

"Assistant Controller - Tax Administration and Grants and Contracts Accounting." Middlebury College website. URL: http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/hr/job_descriptions/controllers_office/000821.htm

"Certified Public Accountant." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=51787251&JobTitle=Certified+Public+Accountant&q=public+accountant&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2006-12-22+13%3a44%3a00

"Director Tax Planning." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=52746111&JobTitle=Director+Tax+Planning&q=Tax+Planning&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2007-02-09+19%3a12%3a00

"Hub Group, Inc." Tax Talent website. URL: http://www.taxtalent.com/taxjobs/showjob.cfm?ID=4116&qID=

"Individual Tax Prep Clerk." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getajob.asp?JobID=53127325&JobTitle=Individual+Tax+Prep+Clerk&q=Tax+Prep&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2007-02-07+02%%3a53%3a00

"Tax & Audit Director." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=51486668&JobTitle=Tax+%26+Audit+Director&q=Tax+Audit&cy=us&pg=2&vw=b&AVSDM=2006-12-14+13%3a32%3a00

"Tax Analyst." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=52801595&JobTitle=Tax+Analyst&q=tax+analyst&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2007-01-22+11%3a00%3a00

"Tax Manager." Monster website. URL: http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=51644988&JobTitle=Tax+Manager&q=Tax+Manager&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2007-02-11+06%3a17%3a00