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Tax Associate skills for your resume and career

Updated June 25, 2024
7 min read
Quoted Experts
Vivek Pande,
Dr. Hassan Niazi
Tax Associate Example Skills

Tax associates need a range of hard skills to excel in their role. These skills include proficiency in tax planning, researching tax regulations, and preparing income tax returns. They should also be skilled in using tax software and have a strong understanding of taxation and local tax returns. According to Kenton Klaus, Director of Master of Science in Taxation, "Taxation is a very broad discipline, so it's important for a new tax professional to understand all the opportunities available for them to use their graduate degree."

On the other hand, soft skills are equally important for a tax associate. They need to possess excellent interpersonal skills, be able to provide strong customer service, and be able to manage their time effectively. As Jaclyn Barkow, Clinical Assistant Professor of Accounting at Indiana University Northwest, puts it, "The most valuable soft skill is communication. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication comes in the form of written and oral. Effective communication also entails knowing when to listen, when to respond, and asking questions."

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tax associate skills. We ranked the top skills for tax associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 26.1% of tax associate resumes contained strong customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tax associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tax associate skills for your resume and career

1. Strong Customer Service

Strong customer service is the act of providing excellent support to customers before, during, and after their purchase. Tax associates use strong customer service by developing skills like time management and organization. They prepare tax returns for customers while maintaining a high level of service quality. This involves being attentive to customer needs, being responsive to their queries, and providing them with accurate information.

Here's how tax associates use strong customer service:
  • Developed strong customer service and time-management skills.
  • Franchise Owner: Tim & Marina DuganPrepared tax returns for customers while developing strong customer service and organizational skills.

2. CPA

CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant. Tax associates use CPA in various ways, such as advising clients on financial matters, demonstrating competence and accounting knowledge, preparing individual and small business tax returns, collaborating with owners and CPAs, and maintaining the CPA's books. They may also work with CPAs from large accounting firms to review complex tax return preparations.

Here's how tax associates use cpa:
  • Advised numerous non-profit clients on financial matters for this CPA firm, ranked 5th largest public accounting firm in the US.
  • Demonstrated competence and accounting knowledge through three busy seasons with a large regional CPA firm.

3. Tax Planning

Tax planning is the process of looking for ways to minimize one's tax liability. Tax associates use tax planning to help their clients reduce their tax bills. They do this by identifying opportunities to save on taxes, researching tax laws, and communicating their findings to their clients. For example, they might help a client decide how to structure their business to minimize taxes or advise them on the best way to invest their money. They also keep an eye on changes in tax laws and adjust their clients' plans accordingly.

Here's how tax associates use tax planning:
  • Conduct tax planning including the calculation of estimated tax requirements for individuals and businesses.
  • Provided assistance in gathering information and analysis to give individual clients tax planning advice.

4. Taxation

Taxation is the process of collecting money from citizens and businesses to fund government activities. Tax associates use taxation by researching and resolving complex issues, advising clients on taxation matters, and preparing tax forms. They also stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and standards, and negotiate with taxation entities to reduce interest and penalty fees.

Here's how tax associates use taxation:
  • Negotiated with taxation entities regarding reduction on interest and penalty fees.
  • Maintained and updated certifications in taxation policies.

5. Tax Research

Tax research involves analyzing and interpreting tax laws, regulations, and court cases to determine the tax implications of various situations. Tax associates use tax research to prepare clients' tax returns, resolve tax issues, and communicate solutions to clients. They conduct research using resources like the IRS, CCH, and RIA Checkpoint, and apply their findings to a wide range of tax issues, such as corporate acquisitions, expatriation, and controlled foreign corporations.

Here's how tax associates use tax research:
  • Perform tax research and client correspondence including Research and Development credit and Domestic Manufacturing Deduction studies.
  • Performed and analyzed complex tax research regarding asset and stock acquisition.

6. Local Tax Returns

Local tax returns are documents that report a person or business's income and taxes owed to local authorities. Tax associates use local tax returns by preparing and reviewing them for their clients, often alongside federal and state tax returns. They may specialize in preparing local tax returns for specific types of clients, such as hedge funds or small businesses.

Here's how tax associates use local tax returns:
  • Prepare federal (1040s), state and local tax returns (IT-201 and IT-203) for individuals and small businesses.
  • Prepared and reviewed federal, state, and local tax returns for domestic and international hedge funds and private equity funds.

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7. Tax Compliance

Tax compliance is the process of preparing, filing, and paying taxes as required by law. Tax associates use tax compliance to manage client engagements, prepare returns for individuals and businesses, and conduct audits to identify refund opportunities. They also stay informed about tax norm updates and use this knowledge to promote other company activities to clients when appropriate.

Here's how tax associates use tax compliance:
  • Assisted in development and implementation of tax compliance process and technology best practices utilized nationally by several hundred tax professionals.
  • Provided tax compliance and consulting services by managing multiple client engagements for exempt organizations, individuals and S corporations.

8. Tax Regulations

Tax regulations are rules and guidelines that govern how taxes are calculated and paid. Tax associates use these regulations to analyze and interpret tax situations for their clients. They also research changes to tax regulations to stay up-to-date and informed. They apply this knowledge to individual situations, such as mortgages and business deductions, to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Here's how tax associates use tax regulations:
  • Maintained compliance with tax regulations by researching current regulations.
  • Analyzed and interpreted tax regulations and accounting pronouncements.

9. Income Tax Returns

Income tax returns are documents submitted to the government to report a person's or business' income, expenses, and tax liability. Tax associates use income tax returns to prepare and verify financial information for individuals and businesses. They prepare and process these returns, ensuring they comply with federal and state regulations. They also provide consultations and assistance to customers with their income tax returns, and sometimes manage office duties.

Here's how tax associates use income tax returns:
  • Position included preparing personal income tax returns, financial consulting about tax and personal saving strategies.
  • Prepared, verified, processed and electronically transmitted customer federal and state income tax returns.

10. Tax Software

Tax software is a computer program that helps prepare and process tax returns. Tax associates use tax software to prepare personal and business tax returns, analyze financial documents, and input information for yearly income. They also use it to communicate with clients about tax issues and provide tax software support. For example, they might enter personal and relevant information into the software to complete tax returns.

Here's how tax associates use tax software:
  • Prepared personal property tax returns for all jurisdictions nationwide using automated tax software.
  • Analyzed financial documents to determine yearly income and input information into tax software.

11. Real Estate

Real estate is a type of property, such as buildings or land. Tax associates use real estate in various ways, like preparing tax returns for real estate developers, reviewing real estate assessments, and handling real estate closings. They also specialize in compliance work for rental real estate clients, prepare and file property tax renditions, and review general ledgers for real estate appraisers.

Here's how tax associates use real estate:
  • Prepared tax returns and compliance projects for Corporations, Partnerships, Trust, and Real Estate Investment Trust for Broker-Dealer firms.
  • Update Income Statement schedules, write journal entries and review general ledgers for clients such as lawyers and real estate appraisers.

12. Excellent Client

Excellent client service is the ability to effectively communicate and maintain strong relationships with clients. Tax associates use excellent client service by establishing connections with high net worth clients and providing effective communication. This helps build trust and ensures clients receive the best possible service.

Here's how tax associates use excellent client:
  • Communicated effectively with clients whilst performing excellent client service.
  • Establish and maintain excellent client relations for high net worth clients.

13. IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the United States government agency responsible for tax collection and tax law enforcement. Tax associates use the IRS in various ways, such as responding to inquiries from the agency, communicating with it to settle outstanding tax matters, and researching issues to defend clients in IRS examinations. They also use the IRS website to gain a better understanding of tax topics and to provide support for judgments reached on tax returns.

Here's how tax associates use irs:
  • Responded to inquiries from the IRS and other tax authorities regarding reconciliation of filings, liabilities, and other associated matters.
  • Corresponded and communicated with the IRS and state taxing authorities to settle any outstanding tax matters in the Estate Settlement process.

14. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how tax associates use excellent interpersonal:
  • Trained in and maintained excellent interpersonal and communication skills that complement proven creative problem solving capabilities.

15. Phone Calls

Phone calls are a wireless or wired connection made over a telephone or a mobile phone between two people. Two parties are involved in a phone call, the caller and the receiver. A caller dials the number of the one he wants to call, and the recipient hears a bell or a tune to which he picks up the call. The call establishes a connection between them through which they can communicate. The voice is converted into signals and is transmitted through wired or wireless technology.

Here's how tax associates use phone calls:
  • Received telephone calls and answered customer inquiries.
  • Backed up the receptionist by answering phone calls and gave tax filing advice as well as pulled files for future appointments.
top-skills

What skills help Tax Associates find jobs?

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

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

Vivek Pande

Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

There are two skills all business students and graduates can always work on. The first is computer skills - basic knowledge of, for example, SQL or advanced Excel wizardry is always useful for career advancement. Secondly, students interested in global business can always learn/improve foreign language skills. Spanish is not even a "foreign" language anymore and some basic knowledge of, for example, Arabic or Mandarin can obviously be very useful.

What type of skills will young Tax Associates need?

Dr. Hassan Niazi

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Kansas Wesleyan University

The post-pandemic workforce is likely to have a more remote, collaborative, and perhaps work-from-home type of environment. Hence, this would require deeper understanding of the IT tools at their disposal with emphasis on their limitations and security aspects. To complement these hard skills, graduates will also need effective communication, problem-solving, and crisis management skills to overcome some of the inherent IT limitations.

What soft skills should all Tax Associates possess?

Jaclyn Barkow

Clinical Assistant Professor of Accounting, Indiana University Northwest

The most valuable soft skill is communication. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication comes in the form of written and oral. Effective communication also entails knowing when to listen, when to respond, and asking questions. Young accountants will also not know everything upon entering the workplace; asking questions is important for the learning process.

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

Jaclyn Barkow

Clinical Assistant Professor of Accounting, Indiana University Northwest

Understanding tax return preparation is important. This is where the internship or volunteer work stands out on resumes. Tax law changes every year, so remembering what is in a textbook becomes obsolete year after year. Research skills are important for keeping up with the ever-changing tax law.

The profession is also changing so that tax accountants must have a working understanding of information security and maintaining client information confidentially. Data security is extremely important in the profession, and identity theft is very common in tax return preparation. Having some technical information systems and information security understanding is valuable to maintaining sensitive information.

List of tax associate skills to add to your resume

Tax Associate Skills

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

  • Strong Customer Service
  • CPA
  • Tax Planning
  • Taxation
  • Tax Research
  • Local Tax Returns
  • Tax Compliance
  • Tax Regulations
  • Income Tax Returns
  • Tax Software
  • Real Estate
  • Excellent Client
  • IRS
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • Phone Calls
  • Financial Statements
  • Payroll
  • Partnership Tax
  • GAAP
  • Tax Preparation
  • Due Diligence
  • Individual Tax Returns
  • Indirect Tax
  • Property Tax
  • CCH
  • Tax Returns
  • Tax Payments
  • Fixed Assets
  • Transfer Pricing
  • Journal Entries
  • LLC
  • Tax Provision
  • Tax Season
  • Schedule Appointments
  • Forensic Accounting
  • K-1
  • S-Corporations
  • Legislative Changes
  • Business Tax Returns
  • QuickBooks
  • Income Statement
  • Tax Issues
  • State Tax Returns
  • Corporate Tax Returns
  • Tax Liability
  • Withholding Tax

Updated June 25, 2024

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.

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