• Tax preparers make sense of complicated tax forms.tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  Tax preparers help taxpayers navigate the maze of tax forms and regulations connected with federal and state filings. There are no minimum educational requirements to become a tax preparer in Georgia, but there are three different levels of education you can pursue within the state.
  
  

Tax Preparation Specialist

• You can become a tax preparation specialist in Georgia by completing courses at a community or technical college. Georgia Northwest Technical College offers a tax preparation specialist program that provides students with the necessary education for entry-level preparer positions. Students must be at least 16 years old and have their high school diploma or GED to enter the program. They must also take an exam to demonstrate aptitude in reading, writing and math. Once admitted to the program, students complete a total of 19 credit hours in courses like Principles of Accounting, Introduction to Microcomputers, Individual Tax Accounting and Business Tax Accounting. Upon graduation from the program, students receive a tax preparation specialist certificate.
  
  Georgia Northwest Technical College
  
  Gordon County Campus
  
  1151 Hwy. 53 Spur
  
  Calhoun, GA 30701
  
  706-624-1100
  
  gntc.edu
  
  Georgia Northwest Technical College
  
  Floyd County Campus
  
  One Maurice Culberson Dr.
  
  Rome, GA 30161
  
  706-295-6963
  
  gntc.edu
  
  

Chartered Tax Professional

• To become a Chartered Tax Professional (CTP) individuals must take a series of tax preparation courses and meet the state of Georgia's experience requirements. CTP candidates must work for two tax seasons (500 hours or more) and take courses like those offered at the University of Georgia that include studies in Basic and Intermediate Individual Income Tax Preparation, Advanced Individual Income Tax Preparation and Small Business Income Tax Preparation.
  
  The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education
  
  1197 South Lumpkin St.
  
  Athens, GA 30602
  
  706-542-2056
  
  georgiacenter.uga.edu
  
  

Accountant

• Although accountants do more than simply preparing taxes, tax preparation is a regular part of many accountants' jobs. A degree in accounting can keep you employed all year long rather than just during tax preparation season. Accountant education requirements can vary by state. In Georgia, as in most states, employers will prefer someone with a bachelor's or master's degree in accounting. Certified public accountants (CPAs) are accounting professionals who have completed a four-part accounting examination and have completed 150 credit hours of college coursework (usually a master's degree). CPAs have extensive knowledge of all aspects of tax preparation, including individual and business accounting, and can also offer tax planning services. These professionals are more likely to work for large companies or with high-income clients. Several state and private universities and colleges in Georgia offer degrees in accounting.