Post job

Tax compliance agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a tax compliance agent. Tax compliance agents usually study business, accounting, or criminal justice. 55% of tax compliance agents hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 396 real tax compliance agent resumes to see exactly what tax compliance agent education sections show.

The most common colleges for tax compliance agents are the University of Utah and the University of Utah.

There are also many online tax compliance agent courses to help get the education required to be a tax compliance agent.

What education do you need to become a tax compliance agent?

What degree do you need to be a tax compliance agent?

The most common degree for tax compliance agents is bachelor's degree, with 55% of tax compliance agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 55%
  • Associate, 19%
  • High School Diploma, 12%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a tax compliance agent?

You should major in business to become a tax compliance agent. 24% of tax compliance agents major in business. Other common majors for a tax compliance agent include accounting and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for tax compliance agents

Tax compliance agents often get their degrees at University of Utah, Utah Valley University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for tax compliance agents in the US based on their resumes.
Tax compliance agent common collegePercentages
University of Utah12.50%
Utah Valley University9.38%
University of Phoenix9.38%
Long Island University7.81%
Brigham Young University6.25%

Best majors for tax compliance agents

RankMajorPercentages
1Business23.8%
2Accounting15.7%
3Criminal Justice10.8%
4Management4.9%
5Finance4.9%

Best colleges for tax compliance agents

The best colleges for tax compliance agents are Northeastern University, Boston University, and University of Southern California.

A tax compliance agent with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for tax compliance agents. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become tax compliance agents.

1. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

5. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

7. University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$11,822

Enrollment

1,834

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Enrollment

58,392

20 best online courses for tax compliance agents

Advertising disclosure

1. GST - Undertaking compliances

coursera

Similar to any other tax system, compliances form the backbone of GST. GST compliances are primarily two-fold: registration and return filing. In this course, you will learn when to obtain registration, where to obtain it ,and the procedure to obtain registration. Thereafter, you will learn about the different returns under GST and the process of filing such returns along with the details required to be furnished. This course provides a platform for learners planning to launch their careers in...

2. What is Compliance?

coursera

Compliance isn’t only about preventing problems and ensuring that everyone is abiding by laws, rules, and regulations. It’s also about the positive impact a robust and ethical compliance program can have on a business or organization. In this course we will discuss why compliance is important – from the needs facing businesses in highly regulated industries to avoiding fines and penalties to preventing reputational and economic nightmares. We’ll examine real-world examples of compliance and...

3. AML Compliance in Practice: Suspicious Activity Reports

udemy
4.6
(525)

Learn the Fundamentals of SAR Filing in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance/KYC & How to write a stellar SAR Narrative!...

4. The Complete Guide To Anti Money Laundering (AML) Compliance

udemy
4.4
(1,511)

What You Should Know about Anti Money Laundering (AML), AML Compliance, AML Policies, and Know Your Customer (KYC)...

5. What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance

coursera

Have you ever paid someone for doing you a favor? You may be accustomed to tipping wait staff or other service providers, but what if you paid a police officer for NOT issuing a parking ticket? Or if you gave a “gift” to a government official for signing a contract with your company? Tipping might be okay, but paying a bribe is a violation of the law. Bribery is widespread and exists almost everywhere and in many forms. Compliance programs address this and other forms of corruption. In this...

6. Regulatory Compliance

coursera

Every organization faces a myriad of risks that can threaten its operations, reputation, and bottom line. A robust, effective compliance program can make the difference between companies that successfully navigate those risks, and those that become cautionary tales.\n\nThis specialization will introduce the essential elements of effective organizational compliance by exploring the concepts, considerations, and strategies for assessing risks and managing the compliance function. You will learn...

7. AML Essentials: Anti Money Laundering, KYC and Compliance

udemy
4.4
(993)

Learn the Basics of Money Laundering, AML, Risk Based Approach, AML Compliance Programs, KYC, CDD, EDD, PEP, and more!...

8. Anti-Money Laundering Concepts: AML, KYC and Compliance

udemy
4.6
(10,510)

(Highest number of Students Enrolled) Anti-Money Laundering(AML), AML policies, AML KYC & AML Compliance...

9. The Ultimate Guide to Money Laundering and AML Compliance

udemy
4.4
(2,067)

Learn the Fundamentals of Money Laundering and Gain Practical Insights into Anti Money Laundering Compliance...

10. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

udemy
4.4
(484)

Blockchain/Crypto Financial Crime Money Laundering Terrorist Financing AML & CTF Regulation Compliance Tools...

11. Sanctions Compliance Bootcamp - Including AML/KYC Lectures

udemy
4.5
(432)

Learn to navigate the increasingly complex sanctions compliance landscape and how to effectively manage sanctions risks...

12. Compliance Training for Employees

udemy
4.6
(5,050)

Compliance: a simple, comprehensive and effective way to protect your company!...

13. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

udemy
4.1
(300)

Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...

14. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance

udemy
4.2
(266)

This course offers guidelines to recognizing, understanding and dealing with bribery, corruption and compliance...

15. Anti Money Laundering & Countering of Terrorist Financing

udemy
4.4
(1,669)

From Leading Subject Matter Experts, Compliance , AML/CFT (Consolidated Quick Learning Video)...

16. How to Prepare Your U.S. Federal Tax Returns Online

udemy
4.5
(268)

Master Income Tax Preparation Using Turbo Tax...

17. Tax Preparation: Learn Fast! Prepare Taxes with Confidence!

udemy
4.1
(616)

Become a confident tax preparer by learning about taxes and applications over practical examples and scenarios...

18. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance

udemy
4.4
(493)

From theory to practice (junior and less than 1 year experience level)...

19. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

udemy
4.6
(515)

The essentials of the banking business (business model, compliance, others), financial risk management and compliance...

20. Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing

udemy
4.4
(2,740)

AML Concepts, Customer Due Diligence Principles, Controls and Procedures...

Top 10 most affordable universities for tax compliance agents

The most affordable schools for tax compliance agents are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for tax compliance agents are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for tax compliance agents.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

8. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for tax compliance agents

The hardest universities for tax compliance agents to get into are Northeastern University, Boston University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for tax compliance agents are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for tax compliance agents based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

7. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for tax compliance agents

The easiest schools for tax compliance agents to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, nyack college, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a tax compliance agent without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for tax compliance agents.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

Average tax compliance agent salary by education level

Tax compliance agents with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $57,789 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, tax compliance agents earn a median annual income of $46,697 compared to $26,987 for tax compliance agents with an High School Diploma degree.
Tax compliance agent education levelTax compliance agent salary
Master's Degree$57,789
High School Diploma or Less$26,987
Bachelor's Degree$46,697
Some College/ Associate Degree$24,618

Tax compliance agent education FAQs

Search for tax compliance agent jobs

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.

Browse business and financial jobs