reg tax courses conducted by H & R BLOCK

haiii
is anybody aware of this H & R block conducting tax courses?.how much it is useful when we apply for the job in the financial sector. anybody of u had taken the course. they r saying the course duration is for 66 hours and the fees is 195 $ i want to know how reliable these people R? help me if u have some inputs with

with cheers]
anushha

Hi Anushha,
I took that course couple of years ago. I took 30+ weeks course. If you are considering taking that course for job opportunities, you should ace in that course. They will ask you in the final class (or a class before ) about our interest to work with them. In my case, they said they will give extra coaching coz I took only 30 weeks. I was not able to go because my kids were very young that time. I am not sure if you can get job in some other places other than H&R. Let's also see what others have to say.
Hope this helps,

haiii sinduja
thanks for ur reply. i enquired them it is for 96 hours that is 2 1/2 months.r u currently working?. if so is that helpful in ur career.

Hi Anusha,
Yes, I am working as a part time accountant in a small company.
Anusha, It is 30+hours and not weeks.
Yes, it does help me though not much. As I told you, if you show interest in working with them + you do very good in tax preparation examination, you have chances to work with them.
In my place, they offered jobs atleast to a couple of people. All the best!

P.S: You could call the H&R toll free number and check with them about the employment opportunities. I remember one of our ILite is working as a tax consultant. Let's see what she has to say.

Hello fellow tax accoutants - I personally did not take the H&R Block course since I had my CPA. The course H&R Block offers is considered good if you are planning to pursue working in the tax field. I know that other employers look favorably upon this course. Especially if you do not have work experience or education from here - this will be a plus point for you. You can get jobs in small accounting firms like Sindhuja or you can work for H&R Block during the tax season. H&R Block is one of the largest tax firms in the country - in fact their HQ is in Kansas City (where I live). They are a large employer here. Let me know if you have any questions.

Shobana

haaiii
i need one more info reg that course. they r telling abt some license suring the discssion.what is that have u got that one. for how many yrs it is valid.whtr v have to apply or they will arrange everything?.. r u a license holder sindhuja

Hi Anusha - they may have been referring to the CPA license - that is a separate exam that you have to take - it is like CA in India. If that is what they were referring to, I can answer your questions since I am a CPA for the last 15 years. As far as the course itself, I am sure of what it covers but I do know it is geared towards preparing you to be a tax preparer. Do you have an accounting or finance background? If so, shoud not be too difficult . Please feel free to post any more questions you may have.

Shobana

Hi Anusha,
I am not a licensed tax consultant /preparer. You might need a license, only if you choose to work as a tax preparer.To my understanding, once you join H&R as an employee, I think they make you fill out an application which is requesting the govt. to give you a license to file taxes on behalf of others. Once you get the green signal from the IRS you can starting working as a tax preparer.The tax preparers' are required to write their license number and sign on every tax form they fill out. By signing so, the tax preparer takes the responsibility if there is any error in the filled-out form. However, H&R will take care if there is any issue.

Hope that helps,

Actually Sindhuja - you dont a license to prepare taxes. I think what you may be referring to is a PIN number - Personal Identification Number. The IRS started that program a few years ago so that the person signing the return will not have to put their social security number as the preparer - instead use the PIN number. I have been preparing taxes for many years now and I have not gotten a separate license to prepare taxes. Since I worked for a small company, instead of the PIN number, we would use the company ID as the preparer. I have friends who prepare taxes who do not hold the CPA license but they do not have the PIN number either. It may that H&R Block is requiring their preparers to get a PIN. That may be their policy.

Shobana

Originally Posted by Sindhuja

Hi Anusha,
I am not a licensed tax consultant /preparer. You might need a license, only if you choose to work as a tax preparer.To my understanding, once you join H&R as an employee, I think they make you fill out an application which is requesting the govt. to give you a license to file taxes on behalf of others. Once you get the green signal from the IRS you can starting working as a tax preparer.The tax preparers' are required to write their license number and sign on every tax form they fill out. By signing so, the tax preparer takes the responsibility if there is any error in the filled-out form. However, H&R will take care if there is any issue.

Hope that helps,

Shobana,
Thank you for letting me know. Appreciate that. I thought the Personal Identification Number is a license number. I too remember my instructor telling me that before the SSN was used and due to increase in identity thefts they have started using PIN.
Thanks again!