Career comparison
Accountant vs. Tax Preparer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Accountants earn more at the median ($83,680 vs. $54,920), while tax preparers usually get to work faster (1–3 months of tax training of training). Accountants prepare and examine financial records, taxes and reports that guide business decisions. Tax preparers prepare income tax returns and help clients understand what they owe or get back.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Accountant | Tax Preparer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $83,680 ($40.23/hr) | $54,920 ($26.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $56,020 – $144,090 | $33,760 – $99,270 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | +4.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 115,300 | 9,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4+ years | 1–3 months of tax training |
| Key credential | CPA | IRS PTIN |
| Work setting | Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and their own practices. | Tax preparers work in tax offices, accounting firms, retail kiosks and from home. |
What each job does
Accountant
- Prepare and analyze financial statements
- Record journal entries and reconcile accounts
- Prepare tax returns and tax planning
- Audit financial records and test internal controls
- Prepare budgets, forecasts and variance analyses
Tax Preparer
- Interview clients about income and life changes
- Gather and review tax documents
- Prepare returns in tax software
- Identify deductions and credits
- Check returns for accuracy
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, desk work, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose accountant if…
- I enjoy working with numbers and finding answers in data
- I’m detail-oriented and careful
- I value a stable, respected profession
Choose tax preparer if…
- I like working with numbers and rules
- I’m detail-oriented
- I enjoy helping people with money questions
Still torn? Take the Accountant fit quiz and the Tax Preparer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, accountant or tax preparer?
Accountants earn more at the median: $83,680 versus $54,920 for tax preparers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Tax Preparers typically train faster (1–3 months of tax training) than accountants (4+ years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects accountants to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +4.7% for tax preparers.