Tax Preparers

• Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
• Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
• Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
• Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
• Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
• Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
• Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
• Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
• Review financial records such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
• Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Tax Preparers.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Tax Preparers.