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Temporary Tax Preparer - BT Prep

Baker Tilly · IL · Remote available · $22.50–$37.75 an hour · Part time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked under a hard deadline with a high volume of work. How did you keep your accuracy up?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep quality steady through busy season, when errors cost the reviewer and the client time.

Tell me about a time you found an error in your own work after you had turned it in.

What they are checking: Whether they speak up about their own mistakes quickly, which matters more than never making one.

What draws you to a temporary tax preparer role, and what hours can you commit to during the season?

What they are checking: Whether their expectations match a seasonal role and they can reliably cover the peak weeks.

What would you do

You notice a client's brokerage statement shows a sale but there's no cost basis. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they flag missing information instead of guessing, which keeps returns accurate and reviewers trusting their work.

A reviewer sends back a return with several review notes. How do you work through them?

What they are checking: Whether they take feedback without defensiveness and learn from it so the same notes do not repeat.

How do you decide when to ask a question and when to figure something out on your own?

What they are checking: Whether they balance independence with knowing when guessing would create risk for the firm.

About the work

Walk me through how you prepare an individual 1040, from collecting documents to final review.

What they are checking: Whether they follow an organized process that catches missing forms before a return goes to review.

Which tax software have you used, and how quickly do you usually get comfortable with a new system?

What they are checking: Whether they can be productive fast, since a temporary seasonal role has little time for training.

How do you handle Schedule C, Schedule E or K-1 income when it shows up in a return you are preparing?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the common complications that come up in a public accounting firm's individual returns.

How do you protect client information like Social Security numbers and bank details while you work?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the confidentiality standards expected at a CPA firm and take them seriously.

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The full job description

As published by Baker Tilly.

Overview Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring. Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law. Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system. Job Description: Remote | Seasonal February 1, 2027 – April 15, 2027 Join Baker Tilly's Seasonal Tax Preparer team to prepare individual or fiduciary tax returns (Form 1040 and/or 1041, along with related schedules) in a fully paperless environment. This role is ideal for candidates with foundational tax knowledge who are eager to deepen their experience in a fast-paced, quality-driven setting. This is a non-client-facing role focused on accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage IRS-issued confidentiality repetitive workflows accurately, a commitment to learn using reading comprehension skills and critical thinking while following standardized preparation procedures. This position works as part of a team-based process and does not require direct client interaction. This is a Temporary position from February 1, 2027 – April 15, 2027. Key Responsibilities: • Prepare individual income tax returns (Form 1040 and/or 1041, along with related schedules) with accuracy and efficiency in a high-volume environment • Process client financial data using tax preparation software • Apply firm policies, tax regulations, and standardized procedures to deliver high-quality returns • Maintain strict confidentiality of client information in accordance with firm standards • Collaborate within a centralized, fully remote team environment while managing individual productivity goals • Demonstrate continuous learning and adaptation throughout the tax season • Identify missing, inconsistent, or incomplete information and note questions internally as needed • Maintain organized electronic files and documentation • Meet productivity, accuracy, and turnaround expectations during peak filing periods Qualifications: • Previous tax preparation experience highly preferred • High School degree required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred • Ability to obtain an IRS issued PTIN prior to start date • Availability to work minimum 30 hours/week (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM local time; schedule must span at least 4 days/week with minimum 4 consecutive hours/day) • Commitment to work early February through early April 2027 • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured processes • Solid reading comprehension and ability to interpret tax documentation • Critical thinking skills • Basic understanding of tax and accounting terminology​ The pay rate range for this job position is $22.50 to $37.75 Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to applicant’s skills, prior experience, qualifications, degrees, professional certifications, work arrangements and geographic location. Baker Tilly offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees. • #LI-Remote

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