Universal's Professional Tax Preparer Certification

Unfortunately, not all tax preparers are created equal.  And currently, no licensing is required to become a paid tax preparer in most states. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for the returns filed in their behalf, whether or not they actually prepared and submitted the returns themselves.  And because of the increasing complexities of tax law, it is difficult for the average taxpayer to work through their own returns while ensuring they secure as many tax benefits as the law allows.  Finding a qualified professional tax preparer is key.

This is why Universal Accounting Center offers a Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) designation which ensures prospective employers and clients that our graduates are qualified in the preparation of personal and business returns.  You can rest assured that a Professional Tax Preparer has mastered the information required to address your income tax needs, demonstrating their competence by passing our certifying exam with a score of 90% or higher! 

Don’t settle for a tax preparer lacking credentials.  Enlist the help of a Professional Tax Preparer.  For a list of designated Professional Tax Preparers in your area, or to verify the credentials of a purported PTP, please call (800)343-4827, or email Universal at info@universalaccounting.com.

How to Become a PTP

The Exam

Becoming a Professional Tax Preparer is essential for those involved in the practical application of federal tax laws for individuals and businesses. The PTP designation is only offered to students of UAC.

The exam questions, all multiple-choice, are taken from material covered when preparing indiviual and business returns. The exam measures the skills and knowledge appropriate for a tax preparer that handles all the filings and responsibilities in personal and business returns.

To ensure exam integrity, each test is different. The questions are randomly selected from a pool of exam questions.

Upon completion, you will receive your score immediately, along with the questions you missed. To receive the Professional Tax Preparer designation, you must earn a score of 90% or higher. However, to receive a Certificate of Completion, you only need a 65% (Available only to students of the Professional Tax Preparers Program). If unsuccessful in achieving an adequate score at your first sitting, you may retake the test after 7 days.

You will receive your Professional Tax Preparer Designation or your Certificate of Completion in the mail within four weeks of taking the exam.

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