Job description · Finance and accounting · Full-time
Tax Preparation Assistant job description
A tax preparation assistant supports a CPA or tax practice during the busy season and all year. They gather client documents, prepare workpapers and draft returns for review, and keep client files organized.
Responsibilities
- Collect and organize client tax documents through the portal
- Prepare workpapers and draft individual and business returns for CPA review
- Enter data into tax software accurately
- Track missing documents and follow up with clients
- Update engagement status in the practice management system
- Help with extensions, estimates, and year-end planning schedules
Requirements
- Two or more years supporting U.S. tax preparation
- Working knowledge of U.S. individual and business returns
- Experience with professional tax software
- Organized under deadline pressure
- Strict confidentiality
Tools
- UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake, or ProSeries
- Canopy, TaxDome, or Karbon
- SmartVault or a client portal
- Excel
What success looks like after 90 days
- Client documents complete before preparation begins
- Draft returns ready for review with organized workpapers
- A clean status board throughout busy season
Screening questions
Ask these before you book an interview.
- Which tax software have you used?
- Which return types have you prepared drafts for?
- How many returns did you work on last season?
- This is a full-time role working set hours each business day. Can you commit to that schedule?
Interview questions
- A client sends documents in ten separate emails. How do you organize them?
- What do you check before handing a draft return for review?
- How do you chase missing documents politely?
- How do you stay accurate in the final week of tax season?
Hiring tip
Hire before busy season, not during it. Two months of ramp-up turns a good assistant into a great one by February.
Tax Preparation Assistant hiring FAQ
What does a Tax Preparation Assistant do?
A tax preparation assistant supports a CPA or tax practice during the busy season and all year. They gather client documents, prepare workpapers and draft returns for review, and keep client files organized. Day to day, the role covers work such as: collect and organize client tax documents through the portal, prepare workpapers and draft individual and business returns for CPA review, and enter data into tax software accurately.
How much does it cost to hire a full-time Tax Preparation Assistant from the Philippines?
We place a full-time Tax Preparation Assistant from the Philippines for $1,800 a month. Every candidate passes our top 2% vetting, starts within 14 days, and comes with a 1-week trial backed by a replacement or refund. The price is a flat monthly rate for a dedicated full-time hire.
What skills should a Tax Preparation Assistant have?
Look for: two or more years supporting U.S. tax preparation, working knowledge of U.S. individual and business returns, experience with professional tax software, and organized under deadline pressure. Common tools include UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake, or ProSeries, Canopy, TaxDome, or Karbon, SmartVault or a client portal, and Excel.
What should a Tax Preparation Assistant achieve in the first 90 days?
Client documents complete before preparation begins, draft returns ready for review with organized workpapers, and A clean status board throughout busy season.
Can I copy and edit this Tax Preparation Assistant job description?
Yes. Copy it with one click, edit it for your business, and post it anywhere. For a version built from your own task list, open it in our free job description generator, or book a strategy call and we will find the hire for you.
Want us to find your Tax Preparation Assistant?
We place a full-time Tax Preparation Assistant from the Philippines for $1,800 a month. Every candidate passes our top 2% vetting, starts within 14 days, and comes with a 1-week trial backed by a replacement or refund.