How to hire a tax preparation assistant

How to hire a tax preparation assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step tax preparation assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a tax preparation assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new tax preparation assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the tax preparation assistant you need to hire. Certain tax preparation assistant roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A tax preparation assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, tax preparation assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of tax preparation assistants.

   Type of Tax Preparation Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Tax Preparation Assistant		$12-52
   Tax Internship	A tax intern is responsible for supporting the finance and accounting department on preparing tax documents, including analyzing financial statements and performing account reconciliations, under the supervision of a tenured tax preparer. Tax interns observe tax processes, shadowing the staff on daily operations, and utilizing their classroom knowledge to practical applications by recommending strategic procedures to handle tax filings efficiently and accurately... Show more	$14-34
   Tax Advisor	Tax Advisors are responsible for providing tax advice to clients in the area of tax legislation and tax obligations. Their duties include researching tax legislation, gathering client information, submitting tax returns, liaising with internal revenue service representing clients, and developing tax strategies... Show more	$13-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Individual Tax Returns
   • Income Statement
   • W-2
   • Trial Preparation
   • Scheduling Appointments
   • IRS
   • Payroll
   • Income Tax Returns
   • Tax Season
   • Tax Preparation
   • Tax Software
   • Low-Income Families
   • Tax Returns
   • Taxable Income

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Complete advanced level IRS certification for income tax preparation.
   • Serve as both a tax-preparer and personal assistant to a CPA.
   • Update records in QuickBooks system every time the client report a change.
   • Communicate with IRS concerning updates and regulation clarification.
   • Facilitate efficient operations by performing key accounting role; process payroll and daily reconciliations.
   • Start job by assisting TurboTax user's on how to enter information into the TurboTax program.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your tax preparation assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A tax preparation assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, tax preparation assistants' average salary in south carolina is 65% less than in new hampshire.
   • Seniority. Entry-level tax preparation assistants earn 75% less than senior-level tax preparation assistants.
   • Certifications. A tax preparation assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a tax preparation assistant's salary.

   Average tax preparation assistant salary

   $55,417yearly

   $26.64 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level tax preparation assistant salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

4. Writing a tax preparation assistant job description

   A good tax preparation assistant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a tax preparation assistant job description:

   Tax preparation assistant job description example

   **465670BR**
   
   **Title:**
   
   Tax Preparer Assistant
   
   **What you'll do...** **:**
   
   The Tax Preparer Assistant will assist tax preparers by starting and closing the tax interview. Begin the tax return by entering client and W-2 information into the tax program. Assist with the closing of the interview by assembling the tax return, obtaining all required signatures, reviewing the finished product with the client, and completing bookkeeping procedures. The Tax Preparer Assistant will ensure all H&R Block clients are receiving superior service.
   
   
   465670BR
   
   **City:**
   
   Ocoee
   
   **State:**
   
   Florida
   
   **About H&R Block...** **:**
   
   H&R Block's purpose is simple: To provide help and inspire confidence in our clients and communities everywhere. We've been true to that purpose since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded our company in 1955. Since then, we've grown to have approximately 12,000 offices throughout the United States and around the world.
   
   We are a people company first and a tax company second. People who join H&R Block say it feels like being part of something bigger. A place with an amazing and storied history, but with a strong and urgent focus on the future. Maybe it's how determined, forward thinking and innovative we are, or how accessible our leadership is. We believe it's all those things, and much more.
   
   H&R Block is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. All qualified applicants are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
   
   **What you'll bring to the team...** **:**
   
   **_EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED_**
   
   High School Diploma or equivalent. Must have reading and math skills sufficient to begin and finish the tax return interview. Must be able to communicate easily and effectively in person and on the phone. Previous experience with computer programs is required. Previous experience dealing with the general public preferred but not required. Additional state and local requirements may apply.
   
   **Posting Title:**
   
   Tax Preparer Assistant

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find tax preparation assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any tax preparation assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level tax preparation assistants with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find tax preparation assistant candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting tax preparation assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new tax preparation assistant

   Once you've found the tax preparation assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new tax preparation assistant first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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