Tax Experience

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #190369
    kwags23
    Member

    Looking for some help. I passed the exam this fall and just became official last week. I have been working in industry for the past few years, no public. I would like to get some practice doing taxes while keeping my current job. This would help make a little extra money and build my experience. Any good options or suggestions? Is trying to do some returns this spring at somewhere like H&R Block a good option or what other options would be out there?

    I’m in a town of about 50,000 or so if that helps.

    Thanks for your input!

    Kwags

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #620143
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Depending on where you work, there might be a non-compete agreement that would prevent you from working at HRB. I would suggest looking for a VITA certified volunteer organization. I have been doing basic tax returns for a couple of years that way. No pay, but it is experience, and my current employer would terminate me if I was doing tax returns for money.

    #620981
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Depending on where you work, there might be a non-compete agreement that would prevent you from working at HRB. I would suggest looking for a VITA certified volunteer organization. I have been doing basic tax returns for a couple of years that way. No pay, but it is experience, and my current employer would terminate me if I was doing tax returns for money.

    #620144
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In industry, you're more likely to be able to do tax returns on the side without an issue, but definitely check with your manager and/or HR first.

    I would say that VITA (if you want to volunteer) or H&R Block (if you want to get paid) would both help you learn the basics; however, H&R Block doesn't pay much for entry-level tax return preparers (I'd inquired about them before I was a CPA, and at that time it was $9/hr your first tax season, if I remember right – not sure if it'd be more for a CPA). If you get to know some local, small-time tax preparers, they might be happy to have some extra help after hours and on weekends and may pay more than H&R Block; however, those jobs are more likely to require a relationship already established. I was going to do evenings and weekends for a local CPA whose office assistant doesn't do taxes, so he was glad to have someone to take the pressure off, but that didn't end up working on.

    One cautionary statement with H&R Block: I've considered picking up a few hours there as well and think it could be a good thing, but I wouldn't want to have to sign off on other preparer's returns, because I don't think all their preparers are competent. So, when telling them you are a CPA or are on your way to being one, be careful not to get in a position where you're signing off on all returns prepared during your shift or something like that, because you may end up signing off on fraudulent work. When I worked in taxes, the advice relayed by our customers from the H&R person they met with previously was scary sometimes. 😐 There's some great people at H&R but also some that aren't so great.

    #620983
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In industry, you're more likely to be able to do tax returns on the side without an issue, but definitely check with your manager and/or HR first.

    I would say that VITA (if you want to volunteer) or H&R Block (if you want to get paid) would both help you learn the basics; however, H&R Block doesn't pay much for entry-level tax return preparers (I'd inquired about them before I was a CPA, and at that time it was $9/hr your first tax season, if I remember right – not sure if it'd be more for a CPA). If you get to know some local, small-time tax preparers, they might be happy to have some extra help after hours and on weekends and may pay more than H&R Block; however, those jobs are more likely to require a relationship already established. I was going to do evenings and weekends for a local CPA whose office assistant doesn't do taxes, so he was glad to have someone to take the pressure off, but that didn't end up working on.

    One cautionary statement with H&R Block: I've considered picking up a few hours there as well and think it could be a good thing, but I wouldn't want to have to sign off on other preparer's returns, because I don't think all their preparers are competent. So, when telling them you are a CPA or are on your way to being one, be careful not to get in a position where you're signing off on all returns prepared during your shift or something like that, because you may end up signing off on fraudulent work. When I worked in taxes, the advice relayed by our customers from the H&R person they met with previously was scary sometimes. 😐 There's some great people at H&R but also some that aren't so great.

    #620145
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I envision this tax season being dreadful for many sole practitioners with the repair regs, obamacare, etc. Try getting your name out to them as I'm sure many would be willing to take some part-time help.

    If you do VITA or H&R, you will only be doing individuals.

    #620985
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I envision this tax season being dreadful for many sole practitioners with the repair regs, obamacare, etc. Try getting your name out to them as I'm sure many would be willing to take some part-time help.

    If you do VITA or H&R, you will only be doing individuals.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.