Tax Preparer

The program is designed to meet the increasing industry demand for tax preparation professionals. This certificate provides students with the tools necessary to gain employment in tax preparation and related occupations. This certificate also prepares students to build a client base and assist clients with their tax returns, representing them to applicable agencies. In this program, students acquire the needed skills in preparation for passing certified exams such as the Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification, and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeeper Tax Certification. Bryan University delivers this program through dynamic, adaptive, experiential learning that includes personalized instruction and coaching.

Following the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Students will use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
• Students will critically analyze and apply problem solving and logical thinking skills to a variety of accounting and tax reporting tasks. 
• Students will demonstrate compliance with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Students will review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
• Students will prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
• Students will use sales and marketing strategies to work with clients to understand their tax needs and represent them effectively. 

The following is a list of occupations and organizations that one could pursue for employment: 

• Accounting Assistant 
• Auditing Clerk
• Credit Analyst
• File Clerk
• Payroll Clerk
• Revenue Agent
• Tax Examiner
• Tax Preparer

• 13-2011.00 Accountants and Auditors 
• 43-3031.00 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks 
• 13-2041.00 Credit Analysts
• 13-2052.00 Personal Financial Advisors
• 13-2081.00 Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

The following is a list of example organizations in which one could pursue employment:

• H&R Block
• Intuit
• Jackson Hewitt
• Robert Half
• Liberty Tax
• Randstadt
• Kforce

In order to graduate and receive a Tax Preparer Certificate, a student must earn a minimum of 18 credits for the courses in the curriculum and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Students who elect to do so may also take the Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers Certification in Tax. Completion of these certifications is not required to graduate. One attempt at each certification is included in tuition costs; passing scores on 3rd party examinations are not required for graduation.

Each semester is 16 weeks, split into two 8-week terms. The following term schedule is subject to change.