I am considering taking the H&R Block tax preparation class .My hope is it will lead to a job offer.?

Question

Does anyone have feedback or suggestions?

Answer 1

It's not bad training for a tax preparation job, but my colleagues who have worked for H&R Block don't really recommend it.

In California, after you take the course, if you get 90% on the state tax preparer certification test, you're offered a job.  (A passing grade is 80%.)

The problem is that it's part time from mid-January until April 15, and pays minimum wage.  They set the hours and select the incoming returns you prepare. You get the rest of your commission on the returns after May 15.  There also WAS a non-compete agreement which states that you cannot do anyone else's return, including your own, for 4 years and within 100 miles of the job offer, for anyone other than H&R Block.  (Your get discounts on returns for you and your family.)  That non-compete has been ruled invalid in California, but I don't know what it's been replaced with.

Answer 2

I have taken the class and worked for Block for 16 years. It is an excellent course as far as I;m concerned, though it depends on the instructor.

You learn the basics in the first class. The next class, Everyone's Return expands on the basics. After those two classes, you have your choice of a great many seminars that concentrate on a specific tax area. Some of these seminars are: Rental Income, Depreciation, Hobby Vs. Business, Partnerships, Estates and Trusts, Estate Taxation, Self Employed Income tax, Investment Income, The Retired Tax Payer, etc. They even have an Enrolled Agent Exam Preparation course to help you prepare for the EA exam.

Prices for the basic course range from $99 - $299 depending on the district. If you are hired by Block, my district only charges employees of Block $20.00 for as many seminars that you want to take (after basic) Enrolled agents do not have to pay anything in my district.

I took the Enrolled Agent prep class and passed all parts of the test on the first try. Less than 50% pass all four parts on the first try.

Answer 3

I have taken both the H & R Block and Jackson Hewitt basic course although it was some time ago.  I found them both to be very good at the basics.  They are both some what dependent on the quality of the instructor.  Both companies depend on the basic classes for their entry level preparer employees.  It is a good idea to talk to the local franchise or store to get some idea what their compensation plan is like as there is a difference between the two companies and with each individual franchise.

Working for one of these type of operations is the best way to get a base of experience regardless of your long term goal.    

Answer 4

I have been with Block for almost ten years.  The first  2 to 3 years it is difficult to make money.  Basically, you must pay your dues by doing floor time and hoping that a client will walk in or call when there is no other preparer available to do the return.  Once you build a client base, it is easy to make a decent living.  I started doing taxes as a hobby.  I now work part time about 20 hours a week and have a customer base that exceeds 250. You can choose the hours and the times that you would like to work.  Most offices are open 9 to 9 M-F and 9 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday.  They need people to cover all of those time slots.  Good luck.