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Tax Accountant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted Experts
Alex Yen Ph.D.,
Dr. Jennifer Thayer
Tax Accountant Example Skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tax accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for tax accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.7% of tax accountant resumes contained cpa as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tax accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tax accountant skills for your resume and career

1. CPA

Here's how tax accountants use cpa:
  • Communicated to CPA directors the estimated tax liability for clients under different income scenarios.
  • Managed corporate tax preparation and outsource accounting operations for an eight employee CPA firm specializing in tax and business financial services.

2. Tax Audits

Here's how tax accountants use tax audits:
  • Managed sales tax audits, including gathering/organizing/presenting transaction data and provides explanations and company process descriptions to auditors.
  • Compile information and supporting documentation to satisfy information document requests issued by tax auditors.

3. Income Tax Returns

Here's how tax accountants use income tax returns:
  • Reviewed and approved foreign tax credit calculations for publicly traded international corporations U.S. income tax returns and financial statements.
  • Tax Specialist Prepared consolidated federal income tax returns Completed individual federal and state income tax returns Researched client tax issues

4. Tax Research

Here's how tax accountants use tax research:
  • Perform extensive tax research and preparation of financial models used to evaluate potential company acquisitions and property tax savings strategies.
  • Utilize online tax research services to reach conclusions about newly explored opportunities or jurisdictions.

5. Reconciliations

Here's how tax accountants use reconciliations:
  • Developed and prepared various balance sheet account reconciliations and subsidiary ledger reconciliations to the General Ledger and works to resolve differences.
  • Reconciled patient receipts Performed bank reconciliations Prepared payroll and related tax forms Prepared client's corporate and individual tax returns

6. Financial Statements

A financial statement is a report of an individual or a company that includes all the information about the declared assets, the use of money, income, and also the contribution of shareholders over a certain period.

Here's how tax accountants use financial statements:
  • Analyzed and reviewed monthly financial statements from seven business units and forward a summary to department director for review and approval.
  • Prepared necessary supporting documents with all returns - including documents converting foreign entity's financial statements to US dollars.

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7. Tax Compliance

Here's how tax accountants use tax compliance:
  • Managed financial reporting department responsible for financial statements, tax compliance and various financial reports, including budgets and variance analysis.
  • Identify and manage implementation of process improvement opportunities to increase efficiency in the tax compliance process.

8. Tax Payments

Here's how tax accountants use tax payments:
  • Accumulate and review array of information funneling from various tax jurisdictions and compute estimated tax payments to meet financial objectives.
  • Developed procedures for accurately researching the calculation process of tax payments by increasing communication and understanding with payroll processors.

9. Tax Software

Here's how tax accountants use tax software:
  • Utilized Vertex property tax software for managing 30,000 assets and generating personal property renditions.
  • Prepared and reviewed consolidated corporate income tax return using CorpTax Software.

10. OneSource

Here's how tax accountants use onesource:
  • Produced Tax Provisions for Canadian entities utilizing OneSource software.
  • Reconcile tangible personal property returns audits into OneSource Software.

11. Tax Planning

Here's how tax accountants use tax planning:
  • Collaborated with accounting personnel and clients regarding tax planning as communication skills are an essential element of success.
  • Provided tax planning & financial planning/investment management for construction & manufacturing tax advisory group client base.

12. Local Tax Returns

Here's how tax accountants use local tax returns:
  • Filed federal, state and local tax returns, and answered questions and concerns of clients in both English and Spanish
  • Prepare federal, state and local tax returns for businesses, organizations, individuals and for clients from foreign countries.

13. Tax Issues

Here's how tax accountants use tax issues:
  • Research tax issues and effectively communicate the effects on business activities and strategies for minimizing tax liability.
  • Researched and resolved prior year payroll and tax issues by effectively communicating with external and internal organizations.

14. GAAP

Here's how tax accountants use gaap:
  • Prepared annual GAAP and statutory federal tax provisions for assigned companies timely and accurately.
  • Prepared/reviewed financial statements according to GAAP and proposed adjusting entries for clients.

15. Tax Laws

Here's how tax accountants use tax laws:
  • Reviewed and interpreted insurance department, regulatory agency and tax laws.
  • Compiled and maintained data utilizing and developing knowledge of tax laws/regulations.
top-skills

What skills help Tax Accountants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Tax Accountant resumes?

Alex Yen Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Stonehill College

As mentioned above, the ability to work with "big data" is highly valued by CPA firms these days. So recruiters are looking (on resumes) for experience working with "big data" and experience with the tools to analyze data and communicate results, like Excel, Power BI, SAS, Python, and Tableau.

But public accounting is also a people business and CPA firms also value leadership, communication skills, leadership, and the ability to work in teams. Resume items like having a leadership position in a campus organization or having a customer-facing position in retail or food service will signal to recruiters that a student is developing these skills. But having the position is just the start. Once in a formal interview, recruiters will want to hear anecdotes and specifics from students about how they leveraged a leadership position into success for the organization or how students worked with others to overcome challenges in their organization or work.

Finally, and I am not sure how it can be communicated on a resume, CPA firm recruiters are looking for students who are eager to learn more and want to continue to expand their skill set. The idea that a student is fully formed and has learned everything s/he will ever need to know for their job while they were in college is a faulty assumption. Students cannot feel that now they have their degree that they can coast. The economy is constantly changing in terms of technology, new industries being created, globalization, and changing tax and regulatory laws, and accountants will need to keep up with these developments to be able to audit companies and to advise their clients. For example, in technology, the programs mentioned above that are in vogue today could be obsolete in 3 to 5 years, requiring accountants to learn new programs. The openness and ability to adapt and be a lifelong learner is critical for accountants entering the profession and recruiters are looking for graduates with that mindset.

What soft skills should all Tax Accountants possess?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay Advisor, Austin Peay State University

From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Tax Accountants?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay Advisor, Austin Peay State University

In addition to general accounting knowledge, critical thinking, data analytics, and advanced Microsoft Excel abilities are some of the most important skills. Clearly, having a solid foundation in general accounting knowledge is necessary to be a candidate for a job in the accounting field. However, possessing the ability to critically think and analyze data and use Microsoft Excel beyond the basics, such as pivot tables, will only improve a candidate's chances.

What Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.Stephen Moehrle Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis

In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.

What type of skills will young Tax Accountants need?

Lindsay Andiola Ph.D.Lindsay Andiola Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

The accounting field has been rapidly evolving over the last 5 years. The pandemic really hasn't changed anything about the skills needed of these graduates. Most importantly, accounting graduates entering the workforce need to have not only the technical knowledge of accounting but also the ability to communicate well (both written and verbally). They need to have analytical and critical thinking skills, and comfort and willingness to use technology. The accounting field is changing, and in my opinion, accounting students have an amazing opportunity to be part of that change and innovate the profession. Companies and firms looking to hire accounting graduates are looking for those who are interested in driving change in the profession.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about Tax Accountant

List of tax accountant skills to add to your resume

Tax Accountant Skills

The most important skills for a tax accountant resume and required skills for a tax accountant to have include:

  • CPA
  • Tax Audits
  • Income Tax Returns
  • Tax Research
  • Reconciliations
  • Financial Statements
  • Tax Compliance
  • Tax Payments
  • Tax Software
  • OneSource
  • Tax Planning
  • Local Tax Returns
  • Tax Issues
  • GAAP
  • Tax Laws
  • Tax Provision
  • Tax Filings
  • Partnership Tax Returns
  • Strong Analytical
  • Tax Notices
  • General Ledger Accounts
  • Property Tax Returns
  • CCH
  • Taxation
  • Account Reconciliations
  • Excellent Organizational
  • Income Statement
  • Calculation
  • Real Estate
  • Payroll Tax Returns
  • Sales Tax Returns
  • Indirect Tax
  • IRS
  • Accruals
  • QuickBooks
  • Vertex
  • Individual Tax Returns
  • Fixed Assets
  • Tax Preparation
  • Financial Reports
  • Balance Sheet
  • Transfer Pricing
  • Business Licenses
  • Partnership Tax
  • Tax Season
  • Tax Accounts
  • Financial Data
  • Business Tax Returns
  • Franchise Tax Returns
  • Tax Reports

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Tax Accountant skills FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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