Master of Taxation Program Question

I have always like accounting and taxes and I am thinking about getting my Master of Taxation Degree. My goal is to only work part time or during the tax season in semi-retirement. My undergraduate degree is a B.S.E.E. and have not worked in the accounting field before. My question is I know one person who works for H&R Block and he told me he only makes between $10-$14 per hour. I really do not want to go back and study for 2 years at a cost of over $25K to make $10-$14 / hour. The one bad thing about doing taxes is anybody can do them with no degree. Does anybody here know what I could expect to make if I only wanted to work part time or during the tax season with such a masters degree. I could try and get my CPA, but is there much demand for a part time person in that field.

There is a big demand for part time people during the tax season. I know CPA's that make enough during 4 months of tax season that live comfortablly the rest of the year with out working. They do work 60 hours a week during the season. If you do decide to go back to school I strongly recommned getting your CPA too. This will give you a much hire wage and make it easier for you to get into a good paying firm. I know some that make $40/hr doing temporary tax work.

I have a BA in International Trade and a MBA. Both of them were obtained in oversea. What should I complete to be able to take CPA exams in North Carolina? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Delphine in Raleigh, North Carolina said: I have a BA in International Trade and a MBA. Both of them were obtained in oversea. What should I complete to be able to take CPA exams in North Carolina? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

I would contact the NCACPA. They should be able to answer any questions you have.

www.ncacpa.org/

Thank you, Scott.

Hi rwbil!

Don't be discouraged by what your friend at H&R Block says! I am currently completing a double degree in accounting and property at the University of QLD, Brisbane, Australia. I have worked in various jobs during my university studies, including as a tax consultant at H&R Block. Let me tell you that H&R Block pay is the "lowest" of all chartered and CPA firms out there. I am still an undergraduate, but the hourly rate I am getting now is much better than the H&R Block rate. Plus H&R Block is shift work only, whereas with chartered or CPA firms, you are working set hours. If you really want a stable, least-stressful (believe me I know) well-paying job, then go for your Taxation Masters, because there is so much demand out there! I will become a registered tax agent in Australia in a couple of years and here an agent has to be booked weeks in advance. It's only sole-traders and companies like H&R Block and ITP (Australian equivalent) that give the profession a bad image (because they let everyone prepare returns for low-fees).

Hope my comment helps! Forget about H&R Block. Make contacts with partners/directors in some local chartered/CPA firms. They might offer you the support you need to become a tax accountant/agent.

Looking to work part time for H&R block from Jan to April. What would be a reasonable amount to expect to make?

rwbil in Bethesda, Maryland said: I have always like accounting and taxes and I am thinking about getting my Master of Taxation Degree. My goal is to only work part time or during the tax season in semi-retirement. My undergraduate degree is a B.S.E.E. and have not worked in the accounting field before. My question is I know one person who works for H&R Block and he told me he only makes between $10-$14 per hour. I really do not want to go back and study for 2 years at a cost of over $25K to make $10-$14 / hour. The one bad thing about doing taxes is anybody can do them with no degree. Does anybody here know what I could expect to make if I only wanted to work part time or during the tax season with such a masters degree. I could try and get my CPA, but is there much demand for a part time person in that field.

H & R Block is not an accounting/tax firm. They prepare taxes(usually personal) and sell software. they close the doors April 16th ,,,,,,,like most of the services you see around tax time every year.

A firm would have a book of business and deal with tax issues through out the year.

I am 53 and done with my accounting degree and now I want to know if I go for my masters which would be a better fit for my age. A masters in Controllership or a Masters in Taxation. I will take my C.P.A. This fall, Please help all comment are welcome.

Sam,

Your choice should be based on your desire and preference in the career path you wish to take. Do you want to work in tax, or do you want to be more involved in financail planning and reporting. With you CPA there are plenty of job opportunities, it just depends on which type of work interests you the most.

Hey guys I am getting my Masters in Tax right now but I do not have an accounting degree or any experience. My hope is to get a tax accountant job but will I be able to if I only have a Masters. Thank you

ozman2000 in Glen Cove, New York said: Hey guys I am getting my Masters in Tax right now but I do not have an accounting degree or any experience. My hope is to get a tax accountant job but will I be able to if I only have a Masters. Thank you

Where are u getting the MS from? I always wanted to get a masters in Taxation.

Make sure your Masters program, and courses taken, will make you eligible for the CPA. Once you pass the exam and/or get that certification the job market will be much easier for you to crack.

Scott in Durham, North Carolina said: There is a big demand for part time people during the tax season. I know CPA's that make enough during 4 months of tax season that live comfortablly the rest of the year with out working. They do work 60 hours a week during the season. If you do decide to go back to school I strongly recommned getting your CPA too. This will give you a much hire wage and make it easier for you to get into a good paying firm. I know some that make $40/hr doing temporary tax work.

I was doing 80-90 a week this past tax season.
Jeff Kovalski, CPA

Sam Cooke in New York, New York said: I am 53 and done with my accounting degree and now I want to know if I go for my masters which would be a better fit for my age. A masters in Controllership or a Masters in Taxation. I will take my C.P.A. This fall, Please help all comment are welcome.

Waited til i was 30, and it was worth it. Go for it!
Jeff Kovalski, CPA

I am also thinking of Master of Taxation Degree. The thing is that I already graduated from Master in Accountancy 2 years ago. I am in my 30, and just started looking into getting a job at accounting firm. I do have a good GPA - 3.6, and I am currently employed as an accounant at a small business. I have also passed CPA exam. However i have had no luck so far in my job hunt. I don't think there is anything wrong with my resume, because I went to career servise at my college to get it reviewed. So far i was able to get only one interview with a very small local accounting firm. They have called me for the second round the next day, and few hours later called just to appologize that they have no longer have that position available. One of my disadvantages is that I am not a US citizen, and work in US on TN (canadian citizen). I do not need any sponsorship, however lots of mid size accounting firms hire only US sitizens or GC holders.I have also heard that you can forget about getting a job at big 4 if you are over 25. I know that the market is so bad rigt now and I may need to be patient and wait. However, I am afraid it will get only harder for me to get into CPA as I am getting older. I thought of getting into MST programm, since working with taxes would be my dream job. I just wonder if it will be worth the efforts and the money. My doubt is if getting MST will in any way help me to brighten up my resume and get started at an accounting firm. I am sure that it will benefit me down in my career as a CPA. But if I will not get into CPA world, it would be a waste. I am already getting frastrated that I have spent so much time and money getting my Masters, preparing for and passing CPA exam, and it is not paying it off at all so far.

Hello,

I already passed the CPA Exam and is interested in the tax field too. How much more marketable am I if I get an MST?
Also, what do you guys think of online MST programs??