Tis the Season for Taxes; Become a Tax Preparer

As you rang in the New Year you probably made resolutions regarding your job or career. In fact, three of the top ten resolutions on the Franklin Covey third annual New Year's Resolution survey, are directly about enhancing job or career satisfaction.

They included:

• Developing a new skill or talent
• Work less, play more
• Change employment

If you are thinking about career reentry, a part time, in-demand opportunity to do meaningful work is a great way to go and becoming a Tax Preparer could offer you the flexibility you need in a job.

After all, 'Tis the season for taxes and before you know it, accounting offices and tax preparation offices will be bursting at the seams and in need of help. Think about a part-time option as a Tax Preparer this year. If you like numbers, this could be an opportunity to get back to work.

A few key statistics about being a Tax Preparer from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

- In 2004 there were 86,000 Tax Preparers in the United States

- Tax Preparers earned a median wage of $13.15 per hour

- 50.3% of Tax Preparers have some college or less, but had not completed a college degree

Some of the activities that keep a Tax Preparer busy on a daily basis include:

-Processing and evaluating information to determine compliance with preset Tax codes and standards

-Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards

-Interacting and listening to diverse customers

-Using and becoming familiar with computer hardware and tax preparation software or office database software

-Analyzing data and information

If you have administrative skills or office skills there are many small tax preparationoffices that could use your help as well during tax season. Get out your local yellow pages and call up offices in your area and ask about helping out while you learn.

You might be thinking that you couldn't handle being thrust into the role of Tax Preparer right away, but don't worry, training is easily available both locally or online in a variety of self paced training programs.

Find out more about becoming a Tax Preparer by participating in taxtraining programs at:

National Tax Training School

H & R Block tax Courses

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) near you.

Online-Education.net offers a list of schools that make programs available as well

In addition to a career as a Tax Preparer, here are some related careers also projecting a high number of future job opportunities as well:

-Credit Analysts

-Insurance Underwriters

-New Accounts Clerks

-Insurance Claims Clerks

If you have the time and can afford it, consider volunteering with a local Tax Preparer as well to see if this is a career that could be a possibility for you. Also consider doing an informational interview with a local taxoffice to see if this is a possible career reentry option for you. Not only will taxoffices need an amazing amount of help this time of year, you could be developing lifelong job skills that will benefit you in the long run.