In Oregon and a handful of other states with state-specific tax-preparer licensing, you prepare individual and business tax returns under a state-issued license — Licensed Tax Consultant in Oregon — that authorizes professional tax-preparation practice and limited representation rights.
Tax-season work runs heavy from January through April, with extension work running through October and year-round planning, advisory, and IRS-correspondence work between. The consultant works tax-preparation software (Lacerte, GoSystem, Drake, ProSeries), references the regulatory framework (federal and state), and manages the client relationships that anchor most independent practices. Returns completed accurately and client retention are the operating measures.
Where the LTC credential matters specifically is in the Oregon state-licensed tax-preparation framework — Oregon requires state licensing for paid tax preparers, with LTC being one of the credential tiers. The credential involves exam preparation, ongoing CE, and state regulatory oversight similar to other professional licenses. Variance across employers is wide: chain operations, independent practice, accounting firms each shape the work differently.
The role fits people who are analytical, comfortable with regulatory text, and willing to maintain the state-licensing requirements. LTC, EA, and CPA credentials anchor advancement, with Oregon-specific CE maintaining the LTC designation. The trade-off is the seasonal intensity of tax season and the state-specific employment market that LTC credentials anchor in.
Your job belongs to your employer.
Your career belongs to you.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
It's your career.
Take the wheel.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Business Operations roles →In Oregon and a handful of other states with state-specific tax-preparer licensing, you prepare individual and business tax returns under a state-issued license — Licensed Tax Consultant in Oregon — that authorizes professional tax-preparation practice and limited representation rights.
Median pay for a Licensed Tax Consultant is about $51K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $31K to $96K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, and Speaking.
Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 4.5% through 2034, with roughly 73,570 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Tax Director, Senior Licensed Tax Consultant, and Tax Accountant.
Your job belongs to your employer.
Your career belongs to you.