| Distance learning is a highly popular method of | | | | statistics, and also read the faculty biographies to |
| advancing one’s education. The primary reason is | | | | determine the level of experience of those teaching |
| that it provides a great deal of flexibility in completing | | | | the curriculum. |
| course requirements. This means that one can pursue | | | | To enroll in a certificate tax preparation course, |
| a new career while maintaining current employment | | | | whether online or classroom-based, you will need to |
| or attending to family responsibilities. | | | | have a GED or High School diploma. While knowledge |
| There are a number of tax preparation courses | | | | of advanced accounting and finance principles is not |
| offered online: | | | | required, you should be comfortable with basic |
| H & R BLOCK | | | | arithmetic, using a calculator and computer software |
| Jackson Hewitt | | | | programs as many returns are now prepared in this |
| Liberty Tax | | | | way. |
| You can also find a list of tax courses at Which one | | | | In general, the course work can be intense as there |
| you choose will depend on costs and what you plan | | | | are many tax regulations and filing requirements with |
| to do with the certificate. If you seek to enroll in a | | | | which you must become familiar. You will need to |
| program solely to have the ability to complete your | | | | structure your time in such a way as to permit you |
| own tax returns, you may be able to locate free | | | | to move through the curriculum in a consistent |
| online courses. If however, you wish to work for a | | | | manner so as not to lose the thread of the material. |
| tax preparation firm or open a solo-based practice, | | | | However, if you prefer to learn at your own pace |
| both the breadth of topics covered and cost will be | | | | rather than be restricted to a given ten week time |
| important areas for you to consider. In this latter | | | | period, it would be a good idea to research those |
| case it will be best to stay away from any free | | | | programs which offer a more flexible structure with |
| programs as they will likely not offer all the topical | | | | open-ended completion dates. |
| areas necessary to sufficiently prepare you for entry | | | | Before enrolling in any course it may also be a good |
| into the field. | | | | idea to peruse the text of one or two courses at a |
| The process of enrollment in a program is fairly | | | | college bookstore. Browse through the table of |
| simple. Once you identify a program in which you | | | | contents and subheadings of each chapter to see if |
| have an interest, simply send for an informational | | | | this is material with which you feel you feel |
| brochure which outlines course requirements. There | | | | comfortable and able to succeed. |
| are three distance learning programs: private tax | | | | Additional educational options include pursuing a |
| preparation schools, continuing education departments | | | | degree in accounting or finance at a regionally |
| of local colleges, as well as tax preparation firms | | | | accredited college to advance your career into that |
| which offer coursework online. In all cases be sure to | | | | of a tax advisor or tax manager. The responsibilities |
| perform sufficient due diligence so that you can be | | | | of these positions entail the completion of highly |
| comfortable that the program you choose is reliable | | | | complicated tax returns, as well as advising clients |
| and in good standing. In this regard you can ask | | | | and businesses on new tax laws. |
| about their graduation requirements, placement | | | | |