High School

Prepare for future tax management work by taking classes in math, business, economics, and government. Strong knowledge of business and tax software programs is essential for this job, so be sure to take computer classes too. A good part of this work entails reviewing and writing letters and documents, as well collaborating with and managing other tax professionals. Classes in communications, English, speech, and writing will help. Knowledge of a foreign language is also beneficial for work with international companies and clients.

Postsecondary Training

The minimum of a bachelors degree is required for tax manager jobs, although some tax managers have a masters degree. They may have a bachelors or masters degree in accounting or in business administration, economics, or finance. Some schools offer masters degree programs in tax management and/or taxes. Many students participate in internship programs at accounting and tax management firms as part of their college education. Many states and publicly traded companies require tax managers to have the Certified Public Accountant designation.

Other Education or Training

Tax managers must continue their education throughout their careers. They must be knowledgeable about current tax regulations, tax reports, and best practices in the tax management industry. They take in-person as well as remote classes and attend conferences offered by professional associations such as the National Association of Tax Professionals and the National Society of Tax Professionals, among others.

Certification or Licensing

Many states and publicly traded companies mandate that tax managers must have the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. Some tax managers may secure this designation to advance in their careers and have more employment options. A bachelors degree is required to apply for the CPA exam. The CPA designation is given to those who pass a national exam and meet other state requirements for the state in which tax managers plan to work. CPA candidates must also have completed 150 semester hours of classwork, which is 30 hours more than the normal four years of college, to become licensed. Some schools offer five-year degree programs to meet this 150-hour requirement. In some states, practical work experience is allowed to substitute for the extra 30 hours of courses. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants administers the Uniform CPA Examination for all states. Find details on the AICPAs Web site, https://www.aicpa.org.

Tax managers who are Certified Public Accountants must take continuing education courses, including ethics, to maintain their license, as required by all states. Tax managers may also receive the Enrolled Agent credential from the Internal Revenue Service, empowering them to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Tax managers must pass a a suitability check and a three-part test to receive the EA designation.

Tax managers typically have a bachelors degree and three or more years of experience in tax management. Tax managers also usually have several years of experience as accountants.

Tax managers have strong analytical and organizational skills. They must be adept at math, able to analyze and interpret facts and figures. This type of work requires individuals who are accurate and detail oriented, able to review a great deal of data and identify where improvements can be made to reduce tax obligations. Tax managers must also have strong interpersonal and communication skills. They are responsible for overseeing the work of a team or teams of tax professionals. They must have clear written and oral communication skills to be effective managers. They must also be able to share their findings and recommendations in clear, understandable ways with companies managers and others. Strong computer software skills, particularly in business and tax management software programs, are also essential in this field.