Tax Preparer | Kirkwood Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 13-2082.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningSpeakingTime ManagementMonitoringService Orientation

Knowledge

Economics and AccountingEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsLaw and Government

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionNear VisionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingNumber FacilityCategory FlexibilitySpeech Clarity

Tasks

Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on
Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.

Technology

Project management softwareAccounting softwareTax preparation softwareFinancial analysis softwareElectronic mail software

Tools

10-key calculatorsDesktop computersNotebook computers

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportIndependenceAchievementWorking ConditionsRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium13-2082.00	Tax Preparers	title_inference	$50,560 median$96,240 top	+4.53%	410

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Individual and small-business tax returns of moderate complexity — prepare independently using tax preparation software in a storefront or small-firm setting.
Applicable adjustments, deductions, and credits — identify and apply routinely to reduce clients' tax liability within familiar income categories and filing statuses.
Client interviews — conduct without structured guides to elicit complete information on taxable income, allowances, and deductible business expenses.
Federal and state tax laws relevant to common filing situations — explain clearly to individual clients during in-office consultations.
Financial records including income statements and expenditure documentation — review and analyze with reduced oversight to select appropriate tax forms.
Completed returns prepared by entry-level staff — verify for data entry errors, procedural omissions, and arithmetic inaccuracies before submission.
Tax preparation and accounting software — use proficiently to manage multiple client files simultaneously during the peak filing season.
Client service interactions — handle with active listening and clear oral expression to build trust and ensure accurate information exchange.
Time management techniques — apply to prioritize a caseload of routine and moderately complex returns against filing deadlines.
Electronic mail and document management software — use to exchange sensitive financial documents with clients while maintaining confidentiality protocols.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.