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Best tax professional certifications
Tax professional certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an tax professional to employers. However, not all tax professional certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a tax professional are Tax Certification, Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).
Below is a list of the best tax professional certifications. Obtaining an tax professional certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
9 best certifications for tax professionals
| Rank | Tax professional certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tax Certification | NBA |
| 2 | Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) | ACAT |
| 3 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
| 4 | Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) | IPMA-HR |
| 5 | Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) | LOMA |
| 6 | Oracle Enterprise Taxation Management 2 Essentials | Oracle |
| 7 | Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) | AHIMA |
| 8 | Certified Sales Professional (CSP) | MRERF |
| 9 | Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR) | ICB |
9 best tax professional certifications
1. Tax Certification
NBA's Tax Certification assures employers you have tax knowledge and skill. You obtain the Certification by passing the Uniform Tax Certification Examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)
IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI)
The Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) Program is a three-course education program in Bahasa Indonesia specifically designed to meet the industry education requirements of professionals in Indonesia. Recognized by the Insurance Directorate, Ministry of Finance and the Life Assurance Association of Indonesia (AAJI), who also requested LOMA create the program, the CPLHI Program provides a comprehensive business education for life and health insurance professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Oracle Enterprise Taxation Management 2 Essentials
Oracle Enterprise Taxation Management 2 Essentials for individuals focus on selling implementing a software solution for government organizations responsible for administering Tax and Revenue management operations. ETM is a flexible, comprehensive, end-to-end tax and revenue management solution that provides a configurable alternative to custom-built systems designed to bill and collect taxes. This specialization highlights XML application, batch, payment processing, rates and billing and how to install ETM. This certification is for candidates with 1-2 years experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
7. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
9. Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR)
Applicable to financial services professionals who have completed the AIB Customer Service Representative Certificate and who function as customer service representatives.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a tax professional?
The best tax professional certification is Tax Certification. The Tax Certification is awarded by the National Bookkeepers Association. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this tax professional certification:
- To become a certified Tax Certification, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What certifications can impact a tax professional career and salary?
The Accredited Tax Preparer certification will help you to secure a tax preparer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A tax preparer's average salary is $40,094 whereas tax professionals make an average salary of $60,241.
The most common combination of tax professional certifications include: Tax Certification, Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).
Online courses for tax professionals to earn certifications
1. 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...
2. Income Tax - Schedule C Small Business Sole Proprietor
Small business, schedule C income tax preparation using actual tax forms for examples including form 1040, Schedule SE...
3. Partnership Income Tax (Form 1065)
Learn to enter tax data for a Partnership into tax Form 1065 from a CPA...
4. C Corporation Income Tax (Form 1120)
Learn to enter tax data for a C Corporation into tax Form 1020 from a CPA...
5. US Income Taxes - Income Tax Preparation Simplified for You
The A – Z of self-preparing and e-filing your basic income taxes by 04/15. Income tax preparation made easy for you...
6. QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online
Processing Quick Books Online payroll for a small business, generating paychecks, processing payroll tax forms...
7. How to Prepare Your U.S. Federal Tax Returns Online
Master Income Tax Preparation Using Turbo Tax...
8. Tax & Adjusting Entry Year-End Accounting Excel Worksheet
Build Excel worksheet for adjusting adjusting & tax entries, reconciling net income calculated on a book and tax basis...
9. Ultimate Payroll Management with Income Tax & Year-End 23-24
Basic to Advanced: Certification in Payroll, Compensation Benefits, Income Tax,Year Ending for Payroll & Human Resources...
10. S Corporation Income Tax - Form 1120S
Learn to enter tax data for an S Corporation into Form 1120S from a CPA...
11. Tax Preparation and Law 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, & 2019
Unlock Tax Filing Confidence with Practical Examples & Step-by-Step Instructions in this Comprehensive Income Tax Course...
12. Practical Course in Goods and Services Tax
Learn GSTR1 and GSTR2 Returns,GSTR3B Monthly return & GSTR9 Annual return...
13. Fundamentals of Business Taxes
Learn the fundamentals of business taxes and understand the basics of doing taxes for your business...
14. Tax Strategies of the Wealthy
How the Rich Get Richer Through Taxes...
15. Tax Preparation: Learn Fast! Prepare Taxes with Confidence!
Become a confident tax preparer by learning about taxes and applications over practical examples and scenarios...
16. QuickBooks Online-Bookkeeping Business-Easy Way
Quick Books Online bookkeeping business plan and examples, walking through bookkeeping engagement & data entry...
17. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
18. Tax Accounting Made Easy to Understand
Finally, an easy to understand tax accounting course. Taxes explained step by step...
19. GST: The Goods and Services Tax Certificate Course
A GST Course for Beginners to learn the basics of GST, GST filing, Registration, ITC Returns and Taxation...
20. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...