As a Steuerberater Hattingen you work to help clients minimize their tax obligations and increase their savings. Your duties may include preparing income tax forms, audit representation, and assisting clients with their investments or business tax strategies. Many tax consultants own their own independent consulting businesses, while others work in professional service firms or government agencies. Some are certified public accountants (CPAs), while others hold the IRS credential of enrolled agent.
The most qualified tax consultants have both formal education and experience in strategic tax planning. They typically have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with specific coursework related to taxes and financial management. They also have a CPA license or the IRS credential of enrolled agent, which is obtained through completion of a three-part exam and years of experience in the field.
Depending on their expertise, some tax consultants specialize in providing advice for individuals, small businesses, or corporate entities. Other specialties include estate and trust taxation, international taxes, and IRS representation. Tax consultants with advanced skills can advance to a position in the “C-suite,” or upper management, of a firm.
Your career as a tax consultant will see a surge in workload during the income tax filing season, which typically runs from January through mid-April. You may also have to handle an influx of clients after the April 15 deadline when people realize they made a mistake on their returns and must file an amended return.
A tax consultant’s analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are crucial for identifying tax deductions and credits that reduce a client’s tax liability. You must also be able to explain complicated tax laws and concepts in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and written.
Excellent organization skills allow you to keep track of physical and electronic files for multiple clients. This ensures that you can quickly access documents associated with a client when needed. As a tax consultant, you also use organizational skills when organizing your computer system to store files related to each client, making it easier for you to find the appropriate information when requested by clients.
Excellent written communication skills enable you to prepare and review documents for your clients in a clear and concise manner. You need these skills to ensure that you accurately reflect your findings in a document for submission to the client and that they understand your recommendations. You also use these communication skills when communicating with clients over the phone or in person regarding their taxation needs.