As the tax season approaches, the demand for tax preparers increases. If you are seeking a job in this field, it’s essential to prepare for the interview process. The interview is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills and experience, and convince the hiring manager that you are the best fit for the job. Here are some common tax preparer interview questions and expert tips for answering them.
Common Tax Preparer Interview Questions
- What motivated you to become a tax preparer?
- What experience do you have in preparing and filing tax returns?
- How do you keep up-to-date with the latest tax laws and regulations?
- What kind of software are you proficient in using for tax preparation?
- How do you handle difficult clients who are unhappy with their tax returns?
- Can you give an example of a time when you identified an error on a client’s tax return, and how did you resolve the issue?
- How do you prioritize your workload when you have multiple clients with competing deadlines?
Expert Tips for Answering Tax Preparer Interview Questions
- Answer the question about why you want to become a tax preparer with candor and enthusiasm. This is your chance to demonstrate your dedication to the position.
- Give examples of your experience preparing and filing tax returns, including the types of clients you have worked with and the complexity of their tax returns.
- Mention any professional development activities you have engaged in to stay current on the most recent tax laws and regulations, such as workshops or webinars.
- Highlight your proficiency in using tax preparation software and other relevant technology tools.
- Describe how you would handle a challenging client, such as by actively listening to their concerns and offering solutions, to demonstrate your customer service skills.
- Give a detailed example of a time when you identified an error on a client’s tax return and how you worked to resolve the issue, such as by communicating effectively with the client and taking the necessary steps to correct the error.
- Describe your process for prioritizing your workload, such as by using a to-do list or a task management software.
A Personal Anecdote
When I interviewed for my first tax preparer job, I was nervous about answering questions about my lack of experience. However, I was able to highlight my experience in accounting and my enthusiasm for the field. I also talked about how I had taken the initiative to attend workshops and webinars to learn more about tax preparation. The hiring manager was impressed with my willingness to learn and gave me the job.
A Statistic to Support the Argument
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for tax preparers is projected to grow by 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. This means that there will be an estimated 6,900 new job openings for tax preparers during this period.