Tax Accounting Programs in Arizona
Tax auditing is an important job that saves the government and corporations millions of dollars every year. Depending on the type of company a tax auditor is employed by, they may audit tax returns for fraud or ensure that the returns are in compliance with all state and federal laws.
People who regularly prepare and audit tax returns are required to hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in Arizona. There is a $100 fee required to take the exam. All applicants must have either a bachelor degree or 150 hours of coursework that include:
- 36 semester hours of accounting, including at least 30 hours of upper-level coursework.
- A total of 30 semester hours to include business administration, statistics, computer science, economics, finance, management, business law, college algebra, advanced written communications, speech and ethics.
- One year of professional work experience to include at least 1,500 hours of accounting functions
In a May 2012 report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that tax auditors in Arizona earn an average of $62,070 per year. There were 16,750 people employed as tax auditors in Arizona in 2012. The BLS anticipates a nationwide growth rate of 16 percent for this occupation through 2020. This is considered an average rate of growth when compared to other occupations.
There a variety of employers in Arizona that hire tax accountants, including both the private and public sectors. Some of the top employers include:
- State of Arizona
- Alliance Residential Company
- Safeway, Inc.
- First Solar
- Regier Carr & Monroe, LLP, CPAs