7 real-life tax preparer interview questions

These tax preparer interview questions are directly sourced from real hiring managers and they are ready to use.

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7 good tax preparer interview questions

1. Describe your knowledge of accounting.
2. Where else do you have experience in the accounting industry other than preparing income taxes?
3. Do you have experience preparing individual income taxes and corporate income taxes?
4. Have you used Drake software before? What is your level of proficiency?
5. Do you know how to manage QuickBooks?
6. Do you have a notary public license? Would you be willing to take the test to get one?
7. Do you have experience with payroll?

Here are 7 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.

1. Describe your knowledge of accounting.

This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of accounting principles, which is crucial for accurate tax preparation.

Sample answer:

“I have a strong foundation in accounting principles, including double-entry accounting, financial statement analysis, and taxation. This knowledge is essential for accurately preparing tax returns.”

2. Where else do you have experience in the accounting industry other than preparing income taxes?

This question explores the candidate’s broader accounting experience and expertise.

Sample answer:

“In addition to tax preparation, I have experience in auditing, financial analysis, and budgeting. My diverse accounting background enables me to provide comprehensive financial insights to clients.”

3. Do you have experience preparing individual income taxes and corporate income taxes?

This question determines if the candidate has experience with both individual and corporate tax preparation.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I have extensive experience in preparing both individual and corporate income tax returns. I’m familiar with the unique tax considerations for each type of entity.”

4. Have you used Drake software before? What is your level of proficiency?

This question assesses the candidate’s familiarity with tax preparation software, which is commonly used in the industry.

Sample answer:

“I have worked extensively with Drake software for tax preparation. I consider myself proficient in using its features to streamline the tax preparation process.”

5. Do you know how to manage QuickBooks?

This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to work with accounting software, specifically QuickBooks, which is widely used for financial management.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I am proficient in QuickBooks and have used it for financial data management, bookkeeping, and reconciliations in previous roles.”

6. Do you have a notary public license? Would you be willing to take the test to get one?

This question inquires about the candidate’s notary public license status, which can be valuable in the tax preparation process.

Sample answer:

“I currently do not hold a notary public license, but I am open to obtaining one if it is a requirement for the position. I understand the importance of notarizing documents in certain tax-related matters.”

7. Do you have experience with payroll?

This question assesses the candidate’s familiarity with payroll processing, which is often related to tax matters.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I have experience in payroll processing, including calculating employee wages, tax withholdings, and preparing payroll tax returns. It complements my tax preparation skills.”

What does a good Tax Preparer candidate look like?

A strong Tax Preparer candidate should have a solid understanding of accounting principles, experience in both individual and corporate tax preparation, proficiency in tax preparation software like Drake, and the ability to manage financial software like QuickBooks. A willingness to obtain a notary public license and experience in payroll processing can be valuable additional skills.

Red flags

Red flags for a Tax Preparer position may include a lack of accounting knowledge, limited experience in tax preparation, unfamiliarity with tax software, resistance to obtaining a notary public license if required, and a lack of experience in payroll processing.