Online Tax Preparation Course — Focused on Your Goals
We focus on hitting your income & career goals.
If you are like our students, you want to make more money and have complete flexibility. We can get you there. Most courses just want you to sign up, but not us. First we get you certified, then our coaches work with you until you reach your income & career goals. Talk to us today!
Self-Paced Course
Do your training online anytime, anywhere on a schedule that fits your needs
Certified in 2-4 Weeks
Complete all 67 hours of video instruction in as little as 2-4 weeks
Financing Available
12, 18 or 24 month financing programs. Contact us for more info
Coaches & Support
We help you get certified, then we help you get a job or clients!
How We’re Different - We Focus on You
At Universal Accounting School, we understand the bottom-line of why you are looking for tax certification training. You are going through this training to make more money, to work your own hours, and to create a better lifestyle for yourself.
We're with you, and all the way!
That’s why from the very beginning, we give you a personalized coach! We want to hear what your goals are from the beginning. If you want to be certified in just 2 weeks, it’s possible. If you want to land a job, we can help you. If you want to run your own business and start getting clients or get more clients, we can do that together.
If you want to make $100,000+ a year, or just $1,000-$2,000 extra a month in part-time income, we can get you there.
How does our Tax Preparation Course work?
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Includes all ebooks, worksheets & video instruction featuring experts in the field teaching you the most important tax preparation concepts in detail
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Our program was designed to fit your lifestyle. Access your online course anytime, anywhere. There are no due dates or deadlines to worry about.
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How does our Tax Preparation Course work?
01
Includes all ebooks, worksheets & video instruction featuring experts in the field teaching you the most important tax preparation concepts in detail
02
As soon as you enroll, you’ll be assigned a skilled instructor who will serve as your personal guide throughout the tax preparation course (and after!) If at any point you have questions about any of the training, they are here for you to ensure your success and that you pass the upcoming tax preparation exam.
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Our program was designed to fit your lifestyle. Access your online course anytime, anywhere. There are no due dates or deadlines to worry about.
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After completing the course curriculum, you will prepare to take the Tax Certification Exam. The exam cost is included in your enrollment. Once you pass the exam, you will receive and be able to use the Professional Tax Preparer™ designation, recognized by employers worldwide as the gold standard in small business training.
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For students interested in finding a job, this includes job placement assistance – assistance with interview preparation, resume writing, and job searches, etc. For students interested in starting or growing their business, this includes marketing assistance & getting new clients.
Universal Accounting®’s Professional Tax Preparer™ program will teach you how to complete individual and business returns so that you can find a new job or start your own tax business.
Employment Opportunity & Job Demand
How Important is Tax Preparer Certification?
“Accounting and finance professionals are in high demand… still, it’s the advanced certifications you earn that will help you secure the position and compensation you want. When you take the time to invest in professional development and certifications, it makes your resume stand out and sends a message to employers that you’re dedicated to your career and motivated to advance by enhancing your skills and knowledge.”
– Robert Half Finance & Accounting
As the saying goes, the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. Though this is often a lighthearted comment, the sentiment rings true. Taxes are not going anywhere, and everyone has to pay them. Because of this, your tax preparer certification is a worthwhile long-term investment. When you spend time taking tax preparation classes, you are not only gaining new skills and an understanding of the tax system, but you are also cementing your place in the job market for decades to come.
Some encouraging statistics:
- Nearly 80% of Americans were required to file taxes this year.
- Approximately 144 million individuals and 2.4 million corporations filed returns last year
- 82 million returns are prepared by paid professionals, only 23% of which are handled by franchises
- 32,000 tax preparation firms generate approximately 7.7 billion in revenue
- The majority of the firms that prepare tax returns are small, with less than 10 employees
- Salary data included below. Click to zoom in
Testimonials From Our Students
“I began my journey with UAS at the beginning of 2021 by taking the Professional Tax Preparer program. The material was easy to get through because I already had some experience with preparing taxes, BSBA Accounting program with CPA focus. UAS went into great detail about the new tax laws that were implemented from 2018 (TCJA) and all the current changes that occurred during the pandemic. What I wasn’t expecting was a detailed turn-key system on how to run my tax business. There is an entire section that gives you marketing strategies that I can attest and say that they work! They really work!”
“I applied everything that was suggested and my first official tax year was a big success. It was so successful that I decided to take the Profit & Growth, Virtual Bookkeeper Roadmap, and Universal Business Builder program. PHENOMENAL! Everyone at UAS is invested in your success and celebrates your wins.”
“I’m exceedingly satisfied with the level of thought that went into these programs and how effective the strategies have been in my business. They say you’re in business for yourself but not by yourself. They really mean it! Now, you have to do the work in order for this to work. So if you’re afraid to roll up your sleeves and get to work then opening an accounting firm isn’t for you. Thank you UAS! Your program was more insightful than my BSBA."
Course Details
Course Overview
- 217 Video Lessons
- 62 Hours of Training
- Four Manuals With Exclusive Bonus Content
- Online Access, Anywhere, Anytime
- One-on-one Coaching & Support
- Real-world Tax Preparation Exercise
- Professional Tax Preparer™ designation
Your Enrollment Includes
- The opportunity to become certified as a Professional Tax Preparer and use the (PTP) designation upon qualification.
- An Orientation Counselor to help you get set up and through the training
- An Academic Coach to learn the material and help with real-world questions
- A Marketing Coach to help you apply our proven turnkey business plan to find and engage with your ideal clients as you start and build your business.
What You’ll Learn
As a certified Professional Tax Preparer™ you will have been trained and tested to provide the quality planning & preparation services expected from a tax preparer. Line by line, the Universal Accounting®’s Professional Tax Preparer™ program will teach you how to complete individual and business returns so that you can either prepare taxes on the side or start your own tax business full-time.
After the Program
Upon completion of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with your assigned Marketing Coach and during our Marketing Implementation Session. This will be a one-on-one discussion to either (a) develop a plan for job placement to help you land your ideal job, or (b) develop your business plan and a clear marketing strategy to get you the clients you need.
Course Details
Course Overview
- 217 Video Lessons
- 62 Hours of Training
- Four Manuals With Exclusive Bonus Content
- Online Access, Anywhere, Anytime
- One-on-one Coaching & Support
- Real-world Tax Preparation Exercise
- Professional Tax Preparer™ designation
Your Enrollment Includes
- The opportunity to become certified as a Professional Tax Preparer and use the (PTP) designation upon qualification.
- An Orientation Counselor to help you get set up and through the training
- An Academic Coach to learn the material and help with real-world questions
- A Marketing Coach to help you apply our proven turnkey business plan to find and engage with your ideal clients as you start and build your business.
What You’ll Learn
As a certified Professional Tax Preparer™ you will have been trained and tested to provide the quality planning & preparation services expected from a tax preparer. Line by line, the Universal Accounting®’s Professional Tax Preparer™ program will teach you how to complete individual and business returns so that you can either prepare taxes on the side or start your own tax business full-time.
After the Program
Upon completion of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with your assigned Marketing Coach and during our Marketing Implementation Session. This will be a one-on-one discussion to either (a) develop a plan for job placement to help you land your ideal job, or (b) develop your business plan and a clear marketing strategy to get you the clients you need.
Meet Your Coaches
Bill Brough
MBA, EA Academic & Firm Coach
Professional Tax Preparer (PTP)
Bill Brough came to the world of ledgers and tax returns by an unlikely route. He majored in music, and spent time as a songwriter in Los Angeles, even landing a spot on a production team for a Stevie Wonder spin-off called Writer’s Quarters West. To help make ends meet for his young family, Bill started a small business in 1988, part-time, while still keeping a foot in the music industry. But it quickly consumed all his time and energy, and he discovered that he actually enjoyed running a business, which required learning how to keep the books, which led to an MBA in finance and accounting. Eventually, Bill was hired by Universal Accounting Center in Salt Lake City to teach their unique bookkeeping and online tax preparation courses to students from all over the country. He has been a lead writer and editor for Universal Accounting’s Professional Tax Preparer course. He also worked several seasons as a tax professional for H&R Block. Having worked several seasons as a tax professional for H&R Block, Bill currently runs his own thriving bookkeeping, accounting and tax preparation business.
Allen Bostrom, CPA
Your tutor Academic & Firm Coach
Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program
Allen was the President and CEO of Universal Accounting from 1979 to 2014, when he was given the opportunity to expand his interest in helping accountants become better business consultants, and a stronger support for their employers and small business clients. Since that time, he has trained tens of thousands of accountants, bookkeepers, and tax preparers in practice and client management techniques and strategies.
Adam Syvock
Academic Coach
Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program
Adam works with students regarding questions about curriculum and real-world accounting situations. Adam is a graduate of Universal Accounting’s PB program himself, and also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, Adam also uses his skills as a profit and growth expert to run his own accounting practice. He is also QuickBooks Certified and is working towards his Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.
Donald G. Jewkes, MPrA, EA
Your tutor Academic & Firm Coach
Enrollment Agent Program
Donald G Jewkes began his career as a young man several years ago as a technical writer for computer technology companies. Due to a series of events, he had to leave this industry. He changed his career mid-life to accounting and income tax, attending the University of Utah for an undergraduate degree in accounting and finishing with his master’s degree in Accounting, with an emphasis in tax.
Since 1992 he has owned his own tax practice working up to a year-round busy practice. Over the years he has developed a niche in several areas of tax including individual, business, and foreign tax, and writing and teaching tax classes.
Don is an example of someone who can use their determination, tax education, and persistence to build a tax practice from scratch to a successful practice.
Roger Knecht
President, Universal Accounting Center
Roger is the President and CEO of Universal Accounting Center.
He hosts a celebrated podcast for owners of bookkeeping, accounting and tax businesses called “Building the Premier Accounting Firm”. Roger also recently published two new books: “Your Strategic Accountant” and “Your Profit & Growth Expert”.
Roger is a self-proclaimed workaholic and is passionate about what he does at Universal Accounting Center. He considers himself a God fearing family man that is passionate about helping others accomplish their dreams as accounting professionals.
Roger started working with UAC in the late 1990’s as a contractor helping enroll individuals in their local classes. In time he was traveling the state of Utah working with counselors with the Department of Workshop Services, Vocational Rehab Centers, Deseret Industries and others. Within a few years he was working full-time with UAC teaching classes, working with individuals and very short order traveling the USA. Not only was he visiting campuses around the US, but also teaching classes and seminars around the country. The next challenge was developing a process to offer training to individuals unable to attend the campus training.
Meet Your Coaches
Bill Brough
MBA, EA Academic & Firm Coach
Professional Tax Preparer (PTP)
Allen Bostrom, CPA
Your tutor Academic & Firm Coach
Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program
Allen was the President and CEO of Universal Accounting from 1979 to 2014, when he was given the opportunity to expand his interest in helping accountants become better business consultants, and a stronger support for their employers and small business clients. Since that time, he has trained tens of thousands of accountants, bookkeepers, and tax preparers in practice and client management techniques and strategies.
Adam Syvoc
Your tutor Academic & Firm Coach
Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program
Adam works with Universal Accounting’s PB students regarding questions about the curriculum and real-world accounting situations. Adam is a graduate of Universal Accounting’s PB program himself, and also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, Adam also uses his skills as a profit and growth expert to run his own accounting practice. He is also QuickBooks Certified and is working towards his Enrolled Agent (EA) designation to be able to help small businesses with accounting and tax.
We focus on hitting your income & career goals.
Course Curriculum
Course Module 1
Establishing the Tax Foundation
- Getting Started
- Wages, Salaries, & Tips
- Schedule B – Interest/Dividend Income
- Schedule C-EZ and Schedule F
- Schedule D-Capitol Gain (or Loss)
- Retirement Income
- Schedule E – Income (or Loss) from Rental Property/Royalties/Partnerships etc.
- Occupational Adjustments
- Educational and Personal Adjustments
Course Module 2
Becoming the 1040 Expert
- Standard vs. Itemized deductions – Part A: Medical/Taxes
- Schedule A – Part B: Int/Char/Theft
- Schedule A – Part C: Job/Misc
- Calculating the Tax
- Non-Refundable Credits – Part A
- Other Taxes
- Payments & Refundable Credits
- Closing the Return
Course Module 3
Profitable Business Returns
- Business Entities
- Tax Elements in Accounting
- Financial Components
- Dispositions of Business Property
- Schedule C
- Form 1065
- Form 1120
- Form 1120S
Course Module 4
Building Your Successful Tax Practice
- Getting Started Right
- Effective marketing
- Comfortable Interviewing Techniques
- Profitable Fee Calculations
- Always the Expert Preparer
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Tax Preparer™ Certification, or PTP Certification, is Universal Accounting School’s unique program that affirms & validates the skills and abilities of an individual to perform tax preparation services for individuals & businesses.
- According to the IRS, any tax professional with an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is authorized to prepare federal tax returns.
- You need a PTIN number to prepare income taxes. If, however, you plan on starting your own tax preparation firm, you also will need an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) from the IRS. This gives your firm the ability to e-file tax returns, which is generally required of a firm that files 11 or more income tax returns.
- Any accountant or individual can call themselves a tax professional and offer services to help prepare federal tax returns, however the education and expertise of those individuals can vary widely. That is why certification from a reputable brand like Universal Accounting is not only recommended, but so necessary for most business opportunities. Certification clearly distinguishes to any prospective client that the certified individual is in fact a true tax professional with in-depth knowledge and experience into even the most unique tax situations.
- Changing legislation in the tax code and health care reform makes expertise in tax preparation & filing taxes more and more of a need. Employers and clients look for respected credentials when choosing to trust a tax professional.
- The professional designation of “PTP” that certifies their skills preparing individual and business returns
- Be in demand for your skills, set yourself apart from non-certified competitors
- Earn $100+ an hour
- Work whenever and however you want
- Reduce your own tax liability
- Work from home
- Work full-time or part-time
- Convenient, at-home learning through an all-online course
- The ability to do the program & get certified in weeks rather than months
- The ability to pay the tuition in full or take advantage of the available student loan options to finance
- The assigned individual coaches, an orientation counselor, academic coach (individual tutor), marketing coach
- The Continuing Professional Education, CPE, credits available – 67 hours. (Module 1: 24 hours, M2: 18, M3: 20, M4: 5)
- Job placement assistance
- Marketing & client acquisition assistance
- Yes, you can earn a total of 67 hours of CPE credits by taking our Professional Tax Preparation program. Each module you complete results in various credit hours earned.
- Module I – Establishing the Tax Foundation = 24 credit hours.
- Module II – Becoming the 1040 Expert = 18 credit hours
- Module III – Profitable Business Returns = 20 credit hours
- Module IV – Building Your Successful Tax Practice = 5 credit hours
- TOTAL = 67 hours
- To be admitted to one of Universals’ programs, the applicant must have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate, and beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance, as prescribed by Utah law (see Rule 152-34-4(3) of the Utah Administrative Code).
- To register for one of Universal’s income tax preparation courses, it is suggested the student complete the Professional Bookkeeper™ program, or obtain a favorable review through interviewing with a Universal instructor or administrator.
- Universal’s Professional Bookkeeper™ and Professional Tax Preparer™ are designed to be completed in four-weeks. Other Universal courses vary in length. Please call the registrar’s office for specific information.
- Universal offers simple, 12, 18 or 24 month financing programs to those who qualify. For more information on financing qualifications and arrangements, please contact Universal’s Registrars office at 800-343-4827.
- Yes! We want to see you get the job you want.
- Graduates receiving one of Universal Accounting’s professional designations will be assigned a Personal Achievement Coach to assist them in their career pursuit. Universal’s job placement assistance program consists of resume preparation, resume placement strategies and successful interviewing techniques.
- Companies in the community often contact Universal for potential job candidates. While we may provide job attainment information; we cannot make guarantees for employment.
- As a student and or graduate of Universal Accounting’s Professional Tax Preparation program, a buyer is entitled to our Job Placement Assistance Program (PB, QS and PTP Programs), and may be assisted with:
- Resume Preparation
- Assistance via email in the review and development of a resume for the purpose of securing interviews
- Resume Placement Assistance
- Helping to identify possible employers and accounting related positions by following a weekly routine
- Interviewing Technique Review
- Role play advice and suggestions to improve the success of interviewing opportunities.
- Yes! We want to help you reach your goals, and the first step after you are certified is creating the plan to do so.
- Upon qualification, you become certified as a Professional Tax Preparer and are licensed to use the (PTP) designation. Your enrollment in the PTP Certification program extends even after you are qualified. As part of your enrollment and upon completion of the program you’ll have the opportunity to speak with your assigned business coach and have a Marketing Implementation Session. This will be a one-on-one discussion to develop your business plan and a clear marketing strategy to get you the clients you need. An assigned Marketing Coach will continue to be there to support & help you build a tax business. You’ll be assigned to them and a team of coaches to tutor and instruct you as needed and apply all of this in the real world for as many as 1 to 2 years. You’ll be following much of the training include in Module #4 of the PTP program, Building Your Successful Tax Practice – the turnkey process to start & build a successful tax business. This includes proven marketing strategies, pricing, client interviewing for tax planning and preparation and much more.
- Yes! From the beginning, we said we want to help you reach your income, career & lifestyle goals. Of course, you will need to put in the work to get the clients. But we will show you how and help you do so.
- The Professional Tax Preparer™ Program is designed to be a complete online course. And while it is self-directed (i.e. you can complete the course at your own pace), students will always have access to their instructors online.
- The course consists of 62 hours of tax training instruction. Our tax preparation courses include all necessary books and worksheets (over 600 pages of instruction and reference materials). This tax training course is engaging and entertaining. You have the flexibility to complete the courses on your own time, in a way that fits your life. The course is taught by experienced accounting workshop professionals who give practical advice on tax issues. Our tax instructors know what challenges you will face because they have been there themselves. They will provide you with real-world solutions to give you the edge in productivity and profitability.
- The Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) program is specifically designed to be completely online. While some people do prefer learning in an in-person atmosphere, and while it is possible to search for “tax classes near me” and find some viable options, we believe the benefits of an online class outweigh that of local in-person classes.
- Online courses are updated constantly with new tax legislation from around the country. Meanwhile, local tax preparation classes may have less frequently updated curriculums for non-local tax laws.
- Students receive significantly more access to resources when they go through their tax preparation training online. Our library of resources is vast. Plus, for any and all questions, teaching and program support are only an email or phone call away. Local options will likely be limited to one or two teachers, and their personal availability for questions or tutoring much less frequent.
- Online classes give students the flexibility and freedom to complete the curriculum at their own pace, fits well into already busy schedules, and allows students to continue participating in their life and career. Many of our students are already involved in the accounting or finance world and wish to continue working while they become certified tax preparers.
- Tax preparers prepare and file federal and state tax returns. Essentially, they review their client’s income and financial records such as W2s and dividend statements, then identify deductions and credits to determine the amount their client’s owe or will be refunded.
- As you can imagine, Tax Preparers must be familiar with various tax forms and schedules that the IRS and state tax boards issue. As such, tax preparers should be familiar with the requirements for filing taxes in the state’s in which they do business.
- The best way to know is to talk with us. If you’re interested in learning more about getting certified through our Professional Tax Preparer™ Certification program and exploring whether Universal Accounting’s at-home learning model is right for you, fill out the form on this page. A friendly and knowledgeable UAS Advisor would be happy to help you explore your options and uncover the right training solution and business plan to suit you.