How To Become A Tax Compliance Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a tax compliance officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY)

A tax compliance officer decides when corporations and entities pay the taxes, they require by performing and preparing audits. You can typically see them working for the IRS. They are in charge of giving taxpayers their delegated advice openly, and they fix any concerns a taxpayer has with taxation.

On a daily basis, tax compliance officers ensure that any credits and deductions are received. They identify fiscal problems at the federal, state, and local levels during the review of this information. When it is found that a report or invoice is false, tax compliance officers may contact the taxpayer. Counsel is issued from there, and civil action can be taken.

A bachelor's degree is the preferred qualification for a tax compliance officer. This degree may be in business, accounting, or the like. Besides the education, training and job experience are required. Any prior background in auditing or accounting is an advantage.

What general advice would you give to a tax compliance officer?

Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY)

Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Arlington

Choosing a career in accounting today is particularly appealing due to the strong demand for skilled professionals in the field. Accounting stands out for its stability, offering a secure and reliable career path. The diversity within the profession, including areas like tax accounting and financial analysis, provides individuals with flexibility to align their work with their specific interests. With a global relevance, accountants are in high demand internationally. The current technological advancements have streamlined routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles. Pursuing well-regarded certifications, such as the CPA designation, ensures continuous learning and opens avenues for career advancement. Additionally, the flexibility for remote work and potential for entrepreneurial ventures make accounting a highly sought-after and promising choice in response to the prevalent demand for skilled professionals.

ScoreTax Compliance OfficerUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,584

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate -7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 10.46%

Black or African American 12.86%

Hispanic or Latino 18.27%

Unknown 3.35%

White 54.83%

Gender

female 51.74%

male 48.26%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a tax compliance officer

Explore tax compliance officer education requirements

Most common tax compliance officer degrees

Bachelor's

70.9 %

Master's

10.3 %

Associate

7.9 %

Start to develop specific tax compliance officer skills

Skills	Percentages
IRS	39.39%
Tax Compliance	35.05%
Income Tax Returns	5.22%
Taxation	4.49%
Indirect Tax	2.47%

Complete relevant tax compliance officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tax compliance officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tax compliance officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tax compliance officer resumes.

Research tax compliance officer duties and responsibilities

Reconcile tax liabilities withhold by the business partners against deposits and the IRS transcripts monthly.
Collect and deposit tax liabilities withhold by various business partners throughout the firm to the IRS.
Assist the organizations in computing accurate taxation amounts.
Account administration of ultra high net worth clients encompassing all aspects from initial implementation through termination, emphasizing taxation.

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