Top 12 Tax Advisor Skills to Put on Your Resume

Tax advisors swim in numbers, rules, deadlines. A sharp resume helps you surface. Spotlight skills that prove you can wrangle messy ledgers, translate tax law into action, and spot planning angles before anyone else. Show the tools. Show the judgment. Show you ship accurate work fast.

Tax Advisor Skills

1. QuickBooks
2. TaxAct
3. TurboTax
4. Excel
5. SAP
6. Oracle
7. Lacerte
8. ProConnect
9. CCH Axcess
10. Drake Software
11. Xero
12. H&R Block

1. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is accounting software for organizing invoicing, expenses, payroll, and tax-ready books. For advisors, it centralizes client financial data so filings and planning snap together cleanly.

Why It's Important

It tightens bookkeeping, trims manual entry, and speeds tax prep with reliable categorization and reconciliations—making advice more precise and filings more defensible.

How to Improve QuickBooks Skills

Work smarter inside QuickBooks:

1. Connect bank feeds and set transaction rules to reduce hand entry and errors.

2. Use Class and Location tracking for multi-entity or multi-state clarity.

3. Customize management and tax reports; memorize them and schedule delivery.

4. Lean on Accountant tools: Reclassify Transactions, Write-Offs, Close the Books, and Month-End Review.

5. Tighten reconciliations monthly; attach source docs to key transactions.

6. Keep software current and learn new features with periodic training and sandbox practice.

How to Display QuickBooks Skills on Your Resume

2. TaxAct

TaxAct is tax preparation software for individuals and firms, covering federal and state returns with tools for calculations, forms, and e-file.

Why It's Important

It streamlines compliance, keeps forms current, and helps uncover deductions and credits quickly—useful in high-volume seasons and for consistent accuracy.

How to Improve TaxAct Skills

1. Master data import workflows and client organizers to reduce keystrokes.

2. Create reusable templates for common return types and checklists for review.

3. Use diagnostics and alerts aggressively; document resolutions for repeat issues.

4. Build planning scenarios with prior-year carryovers and state interplay in mind.

5. Harden security with MFA, permission hygiene, and clean data retention policies.

6. Practice complex areas (K-1s, multi-state, depreciation) in mock files before crunch time.

How to Display TaxAct Skills on Your Resume

3. TurboTax

TurboTax guides users through federal and state returns step by step, with interview-driven inputs and robust e-file support.

Why It's Important

It automates form logic, bakes in current rules, and reduces clerical mistakes—letting advisors focus on planning and review.

How to Improve TurboTax Skills

1. Use the full interview and forms views; toggle between them to validate tricky areas.

2. Expand data imports from payroll, brokerage, and prior returns to minimize manual entry.

3. Build deduction and credit checklists by client profile (gig workers, investors, landlords).

4. Set up planning files for next year—estimated taxes, withholding tweaks, basis tracking.

5. Document assumptions and attach workpapers inside your file repository.

How to Display TurboTax Skills on Your Resume

4. Excel

Excel is the backbone spreadsheet app for modeling, analysis, and data management—perfect for reconciliations, workpapers, and tax computations.

Why It's Important

It lets you build transparent schedules, audit trails, and scenario models that tie cleanly to returns and financials.

How to Improve Excel Skills

1. Master core functions: VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, IF, SUMIFS, TEXT/DATE functions.

2. Use PivotTables and slicers to summarize large ledgers and spot anomalies fast.

3. Enable the Data Analysis Toolpak for variance and trend analysis.

4. Automate repetitive steps with Macros/VBA or Office Scripts; standardize templates.

5. Adopt clean data practices: tables, named ranges, structured references, and version control.

6. Learn Power Query for data shaping and Power Pivot for modeling across datasets.

How to Display Excel Skills on Your Resume

5. SAP

SAP is enterprise resource planning software that unifies finance, operations, and reporting. For tax advisors, it centralizes tax-relevant data and automates compliance steps across jurisdictions.

Why It's Important

It boosts accuracy, supports consistent indirect and direct tax handling, and speeds close-to-file workflows with audit-ready detail.

How to Improve SAP Skills

1. Map tax codes and jurisdiction rules carefully; test edge cases before go-live.

2. Use built-in analytics and custom reports to track exposures, accruals, and variances.

3. Align master data (customers, materials, plants) with tax determination logic.

4. Document controls: approvals, change logs, and reconciliations tied to returns.

5. Refresh knowledge on new releases and enable relevant compliance features early.

How to Display SAP Skills on Your Resume

6. Oracle

Oracle delivers databases and enterprise applications, including cloud ERP and tax reporting tools that support data integrity and compliance.

Why It's Important

Reliable data pipelines, strong controls, and scalable reporting make tax calculations and disclosures more consistent and timely.

How to Improve Oracle Skills

1. Strengthen SQL and reporting skills to extract, reconcile, and audit tax data quickly.

2. Learn Oracle ERP Financials workflows that feed provision and compliance.

3. Set up standardized tax reporting packs with clear ownership and due dates.

4. Implement role-based access and segregation of duties for tax-sensitive modules.

5. Pilot updates in non-production, validate calculations, and document changes.

How to Display Oracle Skills on Your Resume

7. Lacerte

Lacerte is professional tax software built for complex return prep and e-filing across entities.

Why It's Important

It handles intricate forms, diagnostics, and workflow at scale—ideal when accuracy and speed both matter.

How to Improve Lacerte Skills

1. Build pro forma workflows and organizer templates for common client profiles.

2. Use preparer notes, diagnostics, and review flags to structure quality control.

3. Create custom print sets and e-file packages to reduce back-and-forth.

4. Integrate trial balance imports and mapping to cut posting time.

5. Measure turnaround with dashboards; refine bottlenecks after each season.

How to Display Lacerte Skills on Your Resume

8. ProConnect

ProConnect is a cloud-based tax platform for professionals, offering collaboration, prep, and e-file in one place.

Why It's Important

Cloud access, shared files, and consistent updates help teams move faster while maintaining controls and transparency.

How to Improve ProConnect Skills

1. Tighten client intake with standardized requests, e-sign, and document tags.

2. Use role permissions and preparer/reviewer workflows to avoid collisions.

3. Automate recurring tasks with templates, bulk actions, and status rules.

4. Refine data import flows from bookkeeping systems to minimize rekeying.

5. Track KPIs—cycle time, rework, e-file rejects—to drive continuous improvement.

How to Display ProConnect Skills on Your Resume

9. CCH Axcess

CCH Axcess is a cloud suite for tax prep, compliance, document management, and workflow.

Why It's Important

Integrated tools reduce context switching, keep files secure, and make collaboration with clients and teammates smoother.

How to Improve CCH Axcess Skills

1. Automate routing with workflow templates, SLAs, and escalation rules.

2. Customize dashboards and reports around deadlines, statuses, and reviewer loads.

3. Use secure portals for intake and delivery; enforce MFA and structured folders.

4. Standardize workpapers and naming conventions for quick retrieval.

5. Review permissions and audit logs quarterly to maintain compliance posture.

How to Display CCH Axcess Skills on Your Resume

10. Drake Software

Drake Software is a professional tax prep platform for individual and business returns with strong e-file and review tools.

Why It's Important

It accelerates prep, supports thorough diagnostics, and keeps filings current with evolving rules.

How to Improve Drake Software Skills

1. Set up preparer defaults, templates, and favorites to speed common entries.

2. Run diagnostics early and often; maintain a fix-playbook for recurring items.

3. Use client portals for documents and signatures to cut turnaround time.

4. Harden security: MFA, encryption, and disciplined user access.

5. Measure reject causes; refine data checks before e-file.

6. Practice advanced areas—multi-state, depreciation, entity conversions—in test files.

How to Display Drake Software Skills on Your Resume

11. Xero

Xero is cloud accounting for small and midsize businesses—bank feeds, invoicing, expenses, reporting—ready-made for tax prep and advisory.

Why It's Important

Real-time ledgers mean fewer surprises at year-end and better midyear planning.

How to Improve Xero Skills

1. Customize the dashboard; surface KPIs and accounts that drive tax outcomes.

2. Set bank rules, reconcile daily, and lock periods after review.

3. Adopt Xero HQ-style tasking to monitor client workflows and deadlines.

4. Integrate add-ons for fixed assets, project tracking, and advanced reporting.

5. Standardize charts of accounts and tracking categories across clients.

6. Pursue certification and keep pace with feature releases via regular training.

How to Display Xero Skills on Your Resume

12. H&R Block

H&R Block provides consumer and professional tax services and software, pairing guidance with filing across federal and state returns.

Why It's Important

It offers accessible expertise, standardized processes, and tools that help clients meet obligations while aiming to minimize liabilities.

How to Improve H&R Block Skills

1. Deepen ongoing training in current-year law changes and state nuances.

2. Refine client interviews to capture life events that open planning opportunities.

3. Standardize documentation and review checklists to reduce rework.

4. Use secure digital intake, e-signatures, and portals to speed cycle time.

5. Collect feedback after filing; turn themes into playbooks for next season.

6. Engage with local communities to educate and build trust before tax time.

How to Display H&R Block Skills on Your Resume