Claiming a corner as a bookkeeping business in a competitive market of accounting firms is no small task. But pigeon-holing a business into the niche that got that corner could stagnate growth. Bookkeepers who’ve started a business and want to provide more value to their clients should consider taking tax preparation courses online. It can be a massive boon for business.
Running a business often leaves CEOs exhausted and adding another training to their plate may feel like too much. Universal Accounting Center’s team of accounting veterans have assembled more than 40 years of experience in tax planning into a course that will have bookkeepers and novices alike preparing returns for clients in no time. But what’s really to gain from taking tax preparation courses online?
Diversifying and expansion
Tax planning almost perfectly compliments bookkeeping. Bookkeepers assemble financial statements and report to business owners where their money is coming in and going out. As a Professional Tax Preparer, you’ll take the information you’re already compiling as a bookkeeper and look for expenses that could be claimed as a tax credit on a return.
Tax preparation requires additional effort to compile individual and business returns and some extra crunch before the April 15 tax deadline each spring. But that extra effort comes with an additional compensation. By mastering this one skill bookkeepers can increase your income by approximately $100+ per hour. It adds up quickly.
In addition to the new stream of income bookkeepers can claim, getting certified as a Professional Tax Preparer builds a firm’s reputation and gives your clients confidence. Pairing bookkeeping and tax planning services can lead to long term relationships between firms and the clients they serve. After all, who wants to look for someone new to do their taxes each year?
Learning to earn
So what does one learn in online tax preparation courses? The goal of Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Tax Preparer program is to prepare students to start working with clients immediately, getting them up to speed on the Annual Filing Season program (AFSP) each year and setting them up to become certified as an Enrolled Agent. Enrolled Agents are specially trained to provide tax resolution services with the Internal Revenue Service. It’s the highest credential awarded by the IRS and is considered similar to an Attorney or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Students learn the basics of bookkeeping before launching into how to navigate U.S. tax code and compliance. The instruction explains strategies for how to minimize tax liabilities for clients and how to plan effectively to do so.
The courses prepare students to identify and apply tax deductions and credits to help clients reduce their tax bills as well as what to do to get your clients ready for tax audits. Students also learn the ins and outs of different business filings and professional standards to maintain client confidentiality.
But with Universal Accounting Center, the instruction doesn’t end with the training. Universal’s experts will help you market your services to attract new clients and teach you best practices to price your services and build long term business relationships. Students have access to academic and life coaches who can answer any question they might have about the material itself, or how to navigate the added stress providing tax planning can bring.
The Professional Tax Preparer course takes between four to six weeks to complete on average with the goal of serving you first client within 90 days of starting.
How to start
If you’re ready to take you business to the next step with tax preparation courses online, connect with one of Universal Accounting Center’s experts today at 877-801-8080, or schedule a time that is convenient for you online at this link.
