Get The Skills To Be A Tax Preparation Professional
Taxes are a certainty in life that isn’t going anywhere. This field will continue to provide job opportunities and the ability to build a solid financial future. The best way to set yourself apart from your competition is to receive official certification as a Professional Tax Preparer. This certification can open the doors to new business opportunities and set you apart as an experienced tax professional. The Professional Tax Preparer Certification (PTP certification) is an informative course provided by Universal Accounting School. If you are ready to achieve all the great benefits of becoming a certified tax preparer, we can help.
About the Course & Universal Accounting Schools
Our unique course is tailored to guarantee the success of our students. The Professional Tax Preparer Program is composed of 20-67 hours of training. The training takes place over four models, three while in the program and one following the completion of your exam. These models guide you through the foundation of tax preparation, how to be a 1040 expert, and how to achieve profitable business returns. Our post-qualification module will guide you through the process of building your own successful tax practice.
Benefits of Our Program
Universal Accounting Schools is committed to providing the best career advancement options for our students. We know the success that can be attained by becoming a certified tax preparer. Our program includes benefits such as:
- 100% money back guarantee
- Convenient, flexible all-online courses
- Complete program and receive certification in weeks versus months
- Pay tuition in full or use our flexible student loan financing options
- We assign coaches to help you will every aspect of your course and beyond
The entire course is available online, and we support you not just to pass the certification exam, but even to get a job and/or clients after completing it.
Completely Online. Our PTP program is designed to be done completely online. We know that this is the best way to allow our students the opportunity to advance their careers while working at their own pace. Our self-paced program is a perfect solution for those who want to keep working while taking the course or individuals who need to balance work and family. An online course provides the additional benefit of staying up to date on new tax legislation across the country effortlessly. You’ll always have the most recent information possible when completing your course.
Additional Support. With our online course, you’ll have access to all the resources you need to confidently complete the models. Teaching and program support are a simple phone call or email away. We also assign coaches who will work with you through your certification process and beyond. We provide an orientation counselor, an academic coach, and a marketing coach who will continue to work with after completion of the course.
Job Placement Assistance Program. Our commitment to your success doesn’t end when your course does. We also offer placement assistance to ensure you are able to achieve the career you want directly following certification. We will assist in making sure your resume is unique and highlights your best attributes. We can even help with placement, helping you to explore your options in the area. When you have interviews lined up, we can even help you fine tune your interview techniques.
Job Outlook & Career Opportunity
Every year, individuals, families, and businesses seek a professional tax preparer who they can trust. When you complete our PTP certification, you’ll have the professional designation of “PTP.” This shows those looking for a quality tax preparer that you have the skills and knowledge to handle any individual or business tax returns, regardless of how complicated they are. This will put you in demand, especially compared to any competition in the area who may not be certified.
This career is perfect for individuals who want financial success and work flexibility. For instance, it allows you to decide if you want to work full or part time; you can even opt to work from home. This flexibility gives you the freedom to make your own hours and only take on as much work as you want.
When it comes to career opportunities, few offer both flexibility and a steady paycheck. It’s also a perfect time to get certified. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is expected to grow 2.9% through 2026. Current numbers reflect that most tax preparers make a median salary of 36k, and new jobs are opening up like never before. No matter where you live, you’ll find work as a professional tax preparer.
A career as a Professional Tax Preparer can provide stability, flexibility, and high earning potential. Taxes are always going to be a fact of life, which is why the need for tax preparers will always be there. With proper certification, you’ll never have to worry about your job security. Gainful employment will always be possible.
State of Illinois: Tax, Accounting & Demographic Information
In Illinois, the sales tax rate is 6.25%. Illinois has an origin-based sales tax system, which keeps it simple for local businesses. If you sell goods in Illinois, you add on the standard tax rate. For small businesses, it is helpful to note that Illinois does have sales tax holidays, which are days where you aren’t required to charge sales tax. The state website posts these dates to keep businesses up to date.
In Chicago, the minimum combined sales rate is 10.25%. This is a combination of the state, county, and city sales taxes. The county rate is 1.75%, and the city sales tax rate is 1.25%. Chicago is currently tired with four other major cities for imposing the nation’s second highest sales tax on residents. Many local government officials and business owners fear that this is driving consumers away from Chicago businesses and into neighboring suburbs or even out-of-state big purchases. Discussion continues regarding whether these rates can be lowered any time soon to protect the economic growth of Chicago.
In Chicago, there are several different city taxes to be aware of. One in particular to know is the amusement tax of 5% of admission for live performances such as theatre or music. Other amusement sits at 9%. There is the Personal Property Lease Transaction Tax of 8% of receipts or charges on businesses or individuals that are the lessor or lessee of personal property in Chicago. The Hotel Tax currently sits at 4.5% of gross rental or leasing charges. While Illinois has recently offered numerous tax breaks for restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is still an 8% restaurant tax in Chicago.
About Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, located in Cook County, is a large and ethnically diverse metropolis. It is the largest city in Illinois and the 3rd largest city in the U.S. by population. Chicago has a population of close to three million but has been experiencing a decrease in population over recent years. The average household income is $90,713, with a poverty rate of 18.39%. Rentals in the area have an average cost of $1,112 a month, and home values tend to average around $258,000.
Chicago is home to many of the largest companies in America. They are the site of 35 companies that are on the Forbes 500 list, second to only NYC. These companies include Walgreens, State Farm Insurance, and Archer Daniels Midland. Chicago is also the company headquarters for Boeing, McDonald’s, Exelon, Kraft Heinz, and more. Chicago is a major contributor to the global and county economy.
In addition to being an economic hot spot, Chicago is known for its melting pot of activities, attractions, art, and culture. Chicago has over 250 live music venues, countless theatres, and performance areas. Chicago is also a rich mix of industry and nature, with over 600 parks and 500 playgrounds. Any food enthusiast will find a home in Chicago. Chicago has over 7,300 restaurants, many of renown around the world. Chicago is also home for sports lovers with a number of stadiums and, of course, the Chicago Cubs, who won the World Series just a few years ago.