Tax Accounting Programs in California

Tax Accounting Schools in California

Total Tax Accounting Programs:30
Online Tax Accounting Programs:29
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$9,859
Average Scholarship Package:$5,017
Average Grant Amount:$7,028
Average Housing Cost:$7,013
Average Gender Ratio:44% Men / 55% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:24:1

Educational Information:

A tax auditor examines financial records to look for fraud, waste or common errors. The primary function of his or her job is to ensure that individuals and businesses are in compliance with all local, state and federal tax laws. Most people who work as tax auditors in California have at least a bachelor degree in accounting or finance.

Licensing Information:

The California Board of Accountancy requires that anyone who conducts financial audits or is engaged in financing to complete 80 hours of continuing education every two years. The tax auditor must complete ongoing coursework in fraud prevention, accounting, auditing, regulatory review and ethics. The continuing education program is a joint effort between the California Board of Accountancy and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Employment Information:

As of May 2020, accounting professionals earned an average salary of $88,130 in California, while tax preparers here earned an average salary of $62,770. Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accountant and auditor jobs in the state is projected to increase by 7.7%, and the number of tax preparer jobs is projected to increase by 4%.

About 17,650 annual job openings for accountants and 1,400 annual job openings for tax preparers are expected during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

The top employers for tax auditors in the state include:

  • California State Board of Equalization
  • California Employment Development Department
  • State of California
  • California Franchise Tax Board
  • Cohen Pagano Accountancy

Compared to private employers, tax auditing positions with the state tend to pay higher salaries and offer more attractive benefits. The positions are competitive and typically require that the applicant have a college degree, several years of work experience and pass a written exam given by the state.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for accountants and auditors and tax preparers. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2021.

Job growth projections for accountants and auditors and tax preparers sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database and based on state-specific information (2018-2028)