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Best tax specialist certifications
The best certifications for a tax specialist are Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Tax Certification.
Tax specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as a tax specialist to employers. However, not all tax specialist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best tax specialist certifications. Obtaining a tax specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
13 best certifications for tax specialists
| Rank | Tax specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA |
| 2 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 3 | Tax Certification | NBA |
| 4 | Certified Tax Specialist (CTS) | ICFS |
| 5 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
| 6 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
| 7 | Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF) | CDI |
| 8 | Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) | ACAT |
| 9 | Oracle Enterprise Taxation Management 2 Essentials | Oracle |
| 10 | Certified Income Specialist (CIS) | IBF |
| 11 | Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) | AHIMA |
| 12 | Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | ABTrainingCen... |
| 13 | Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019) | Microsoft |
13 best tax specialist certifications
1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Public Accountant candidates must pass a national exam certifiying that they are eligible to be licensed in the state(s) of their choosing. Information about state licensing requirements is made available in the Licensed Occupation tool.
- 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. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- 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 1 year(s)
3. 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?
4. Certified Tax Specialist (CTS)
The CTS designation - you will learn how to reduce taxable income and discover the current income tax regulations and their impact on individuals, couples, families, and business owners. In addition, you'll gain sophisticated knowledge about business income, tax credits, itemized deductions, LLCs and S Corps, retirement plans, and home businesses.
- 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?
5. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.
- 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 2 year(s)
6. 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
7. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)
The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.
- 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 5 year(s)
8. 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)
9. 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?
10. Certified Income Specialist (CIS)
The CIS designation program at IBF is an intermediate-to-advanced course on investment concepts, cash reserves, FDIC coverage, utilities, preferreds, bonds, and other income-oriented options that are of concern to your clientele.
- 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?
11. 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)
12. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
The Certified Financial Planner designation covers investments, income taxation, insurance and financial planning, and retirement and estate planning.Individuals must complete the following required curriculum and pass the CFP exam to earn this designation.HS 300: Financial Planning HS 311: Fundamentals of Insurance Planning HS 321: Income Taxation HS 326: Planning for Retirement Needs HS 328: Investments HS 330: Fundamentals of Estate Planning
- 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? No
13. Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019)
Demonstrate that you have the advanced skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert certification in multiple Office programs.
- 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? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a tax specialist?
The best tax specialist certification is Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this tax specialist certification:
- To become a certified Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for tax specialists?
The most in-demand tax specialist certification is Certified Public Accountant based on all active job postings. Having this tax specialist certification will give you access to more tax specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a tax specialist career and salary?
The Oracle Enterprise Taxation Management 2 Essentials certification will help you to secure a tax consultant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A tax consultant's average salary is $63,384 whereas tax specialists make an average salary of $57,168.
The most common combination of tax specialist certifications include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Tax Certification.
Online courses for tax specialists to earn certifications
1. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
2. 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...
3. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
4. Practical Course in Goods and Services Tax
Learn GSTR1 and GSTR2 Returns,GSTR3B Monthly return & GSTR9 Annual return...
5. How to Prepare Your U.S. Federal Tax Returns Online
Master Income Tax Preparation Using Turbo Tax...
6. 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...
7. 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...
8. Partnership Income Tax (Form 1065)
Learn to enter tax data for a Partnership into tax Form 1065 from a CPA...
9. Fundamentals of Business Taxes
Learn the fundamentals of business taxes and understand the basics of doing taxes for your business...
10. C Corporation Income Tax (Form 1120)
Learn to enter tax data for a C Corporation into tax Form 1020 from a CPA...
11. 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...
12. QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online
Processing Quick Books Online payroll for a small business, generating paychecks, processing payroll tax forms...
13. Tax Accounting Made Easy to Understand
Finally, an easy to understand tax accounting course. Taxes explained step by step...
14. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
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. Tax Strategies of the Wealthy
How the Rich Get Richer Through Taxes...
17. 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...
18. 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...
19. Tally.ERP9+TallyPrime+GST+IncomeTax+TDS+MS Excel (ComboPack)
A Compulsion Course for Accounting, Financial, MIS, Data Analysis, Tax Professional, Auditors & Bsns Management Sectors...
20. Data Entry Skills: A Complete Data Entry Course from Scratch
A Complete Guide to Data Entry Skills: Learn Data Entry Skills and become a Data Entry Pro & Get a Online Data Entry Job...