Taxation Degree Guide

Taxation requires specialized knowledge, as tax laws have specific rules and guidelines that frequently change. You can learn about taxation through a taxation degree or an accounting degree with a focus on taxation. Instead of a bachelor’s in taxation, a bachelor’s degree in accounting may offer a taxation concentration.

Graduate degrees in taxation are more common, allowing you to learn tax guidelines for income, pension funds, and multinational corporations. Discover more about taxation, taxation programs, and certifications in the following article.

Taxation, a subdivision of accounting, focuses on tax laws, rules, and planning. Taxation professionals understand the real-world application of tax laws and try to minimize clients’ tax liabilities. These experts must keep up to date on ever-changing tax rules.

Many accounting programs cover taxation alongside other topics, including auditing, financial accounting, and financial analysis.

Learn more about careers in taxation:

Tax professionals work with sensitive financial documents for individuals and corporations. Taxation programs teach students the importance of business ethics, communication skills, and strategic thinking.

Tax programs and certificates vary depending on the focus, degree length, and curriculum, but typically include:

You can learn taxation rules and regulations through various educational pathways, including graduate certificates, master’s in taxation, or certifications. The best program for you depends on your career goals, time, and background.

Universities may offer graduate certificate programs in taxation, which typically require 9-12 credits and can be completed in 12-24 months. These programs often provide self-paced, part-time lessons, which extend the completion time. Certificate curriculums may cover advanced taxation, international taxation, and mergers and acquisitions taxation topics.

Schools may also offer graduate certificates in accounting, which may cover cost accounting, financial accounting, and accounting information systems. Taxation graduate certificate-holders can pursue careers as tax preparers, tax examiners, or financial examiners. Accounting graduate certificate-holders can pursue tax and non-tax-related careers, including accountants, budget analysts, and financial analysts.

Taxation graduate certificate programs may offer different concentrations, including:

Master’s in taxation programs typically include 30 credits and can be completed in one year. These programs focus on specialized taxation skills and regulations, including corporate, federal, and partnership taxes.

Master’s in accounting programs also cover taxation rules, but provide a general overview of the field. Accounting students must study taxation alongside other topics, including managerial accounting, auditing, and valuation techniques.

Master’s in taxation and accounting graduates can pursue different career paths, with some overlapping roles. Master’s in taxation degree-holders may pursue careers as a tax consultant, auditor, or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent. Master’s in accounting degree-holders can pursue various roles, including forensic accountant, corporate controller, or tax manager.

Master’s in taxation degree types include:

Taxation professionals must hold a designated certification to represent clients before the IRS. The IRS recognizes enrolled agents, certified professional accountants (CPAs), and tax attorneys as certified tax preparers. Each certification has different requirements and prerequisites, which may vary by state.