Tax compliance officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a tax compliance officer. Tax compliance officers usually study accounting, business, or finance. 71% of tax compliance officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 401 real tax compliance officer resumes to see exactly what tax compliance officer education sections show.

The most common colleges for tax compliance officers are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.

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

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

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

The most common degree for tax compliance officers is bachelor's degree, with 71% of tax compliance officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 10% and master's degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Master's, 10%

Associate, 8%

Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 6%

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

You should major in accounting to become a tax compliance officer. 40% of tax compliance officers major in accounting. Other common majors for a tax compliance officer include business and finance.

Accounting, 40%

Business, 24%

Finance, 6%

Political Science, 4%

Other Majors, 26%

Most common colleges for tax compliance officers

Tax compliance officers often get their degrees at Florida State University, University of Phoenix, and Baruch College of the City University of New York. Here are the most common colleges for tax compliance officers in the US based on their resumes.

Tax compliance officer common college	Percentages
Florida State University	9.09%
University of Phoenix	9.09%
Baruch College of the City University of New York	9.09%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus	5.45%
Temple University	5.45%

Show more common tax compliance officer colleges

Best majors for tax compliance officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	39.6%
2	Business	23.7%
3	Finance	5.9%
4	Political Science	4.1%
5	Criminal Justice	3.3%

Show more common tax compliance officer majors

Best colleges for tax compliance officers

The best colleges for tax compliance officers are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Villanova University.

A tax compliance officer 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 officers. 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 officers.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

3. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

4. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

6. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

20 best online courses for tax compliance officers

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1. U.S. Federal Taxation

This Specialization introduces the U.S. federal tax system via conceptual and applied material. Learners will be able to apply basic principles to settings involving individuals, corporations, and other business entities, complete key components of major, individual U.S. federal tax returns, and identify tax-related strategies and implications of structuring transactions and organizations...

2. GST - Using input tax credit

GST, if applicable, can be paid in cash or through the utilization of input tax credit, also commonly known as ITC. In this course, you will learn about the concept of the input tax credit, conditions , and restrictions on availing and utilizing ITC, legal requirements and procedures for reconciliation of ITC , and the concept of distribution of ITC. Input tax credits, along with valuations, play an important role in the pricing of goods and services. This course provides a platform for...

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

4.5

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Master Income Tax Preparation Using Turbo Tax...

4. Fundamentals of Business Taxes

4.5

(1,415)

Learn the fundamentals of business taxes and understand the basics of doing taxes for your business...

5. GST - Undertaking compliances

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...

6. US Income Taxes - Income Tax Preparation Simplified for You

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The A – Z of self-preparing and e-filing your basic income taxes by 04/15. Income tax preparation made easy for you...

7. Practical Course in Goods and Services Tax

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Learn GSTR1 and GSTR2 Returns,GSTR3B Monthly return & GSTR9 Annual return...

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

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

9. Partnership Income Tax (Form 1065)

4.6

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Learn to enter tax data for a Partnership into tax Form 1065 from a CPA...

10. C Corporation Income Tax (Form 1120)

4.3

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Learn to enter tax data for a C Corporation into tax Form 1020 from a CPA...

11. Tax Strategies of the Wealthy

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How the Rich Get Richer Through Taxes...

12. Tax Preparation and Law 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, & 2019

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Unlock Tax Filing Confidence with Practical Examples & Step-by-Step Instructions in this Comprehensive Income Tax Course...

13. Income Tax - Schedule C Small Business Sole Proprietor

4.8

(298)

Small business, schedule C income tax preparation using actual tax forms for examples including form 1040, Schedule SE...

14. Tax Accounting Made Easy to Understand

4.3

(353)

Finally, an easy to understand tax accounting course. Taxes explained step by step...

15. GST: The Goods and Services Tax Certificate Course

4.5

(602)

A GST Course for Beginners to learn the basics of GST, GST filing, Registration, ITC Returns and Taxation...

16. S Corporation Income Tax - Form 1120S

4.5

(311)

Learn to enter tax data for an S Corporation into Form 1120S from a CPA...

17. Ultimate Payroll Management with Income Tax & Year-End 23-24

4.2

(351)

Basic to Advanced: Certification in Payroll, Compensation Benefits, Income Tax,Year Ending for Payroll & Human Resources...

18. Tally.ERP9+TallyPrime+GST+IncomeTax+TDS+MS Excel (ComboPack)

4.2

(2,793)

A Compulsion Course for Accounting, Financial, MIS, Data Analysis, Tax Professional, Auditors & Bsns Management Sectors...

19. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

4.4

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

20. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

4.6

(515)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for tax compliance officers

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

If the best universities for tax compliance officers 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 officers.

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. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

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. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for tax compliance officers

The hardest universities for tax compliance officers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Villanova University.

Some great schools for tax compliance officers 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 officers 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

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

The easiest schools for tax compliance officers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a tax compliance officer 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 officers.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average tax compliance officer salary by education level

Tax compliance officers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $63,049 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, tax compliance officers earn a median annual income of $57,076 compared to $44,181 for tax compliance officers with an High School Diploma degree.

Tax compliance officer education level	Tax compliance officer salary
Master's Degree	$63,049
High School Diploma or Less	$44,181
Bachelor's Degree	$57,076
Some College/ Associate Degree	$42,326

Tax compliance officer education FAQs

What is the best college for Tax Compliance Officers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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