[Anonymous]

I have switched jobs twice now and I have an opportunity to move yet again. It is a much higher level tax position and the company is requesting examples of my work. Obviously I would mark out any confidential info such as client names, etc. Do you think this ok? They are hoping to see the level of tax returns I am capable of preparing. I have been doing tax prep for over 5 years now and am well versed in individual, corporate and partnership returns.

So what is your take on an accounting portfolio?

[MaLoTu]

If I recall, that could actually be an ethical violation. I would call your state board and ask if it is ok to present client information anonymously to use as an example of your work. From what I recall the only time you can share client information is if there is a peer review or if there is subpoena… But I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Why dont you just speak about the returns and how you worked through them? You either know what youre talking about or dont when it comes to taxes..Showing a return wouldnt really prove anything if you cant explain it…. That would be the most logical process I would think as far as legal bounds go.

[AJE]

Seems shady at best, and illegal at worst. As others suggest, it'd be better to call them and talk through an example (or even volunteer to come in and show them as part of the interview).

FAR 91 - 04/16
BEC 87 - 05/15
REG 77 - 07/27
AUD 92 - 08/31

[EuroAddict]

You're going for a tax job, not journalism.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[ruggercpa2b]

I do not think that you are allowed to share the tax returns. I know even in public when I was interviewing trying to leave when they asked for examples the interviewers would always “we know you cannot disclose the client” My responses were more talking about an industry and then talking about what I did and not go into specifics. Its either they believe you or they dont in terms of what you can do. I mean, you could easily give them someone's returns that you didnt prepare.

Your current employer would not be happy about that either.

If anything maybe they could produce a blank form and you complete one for them. People test candidates all the time.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Missy]

Sounds like you're being set up. You realize there is absolutely nothing that prevents them from letting your current employer know that you walked in there with real returns with names deleted for confidentiality. It wouldn't be cool of them but you could easily find yourself without either job. Go in and say you're prepared to demonstrate your competence in any way except showing information that belongs to another firm.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Skynet]

You cannot in any way provide this private information. Clients have their right to privacy and doing so is a violation of that even if you were black out the clients name.

The company is wrong to have you provide this kind of information.

If the company you are interviewing for wants to determine if you are capable, they should give you a test by preparing a practice tax return to prove that you know what you are doing, not by providing confidential information.

When I worked my first Tax season, I had access to all clients prior and current tax returns. Yet, I only looked at returns that only enables me to do my job. I didn't go nosying around and looked at other clients returns because it was no business of mine.

[Bnots]

I would question whether a company that asks potential employees to furnish the tax returns of their clients is one you want to be working for. That aside, you could build up a small descriptive “portfolio” of the types of things you have dealt with. You would want to demonstrate, for example, that you know the types of issues that come up for certain types of clients (with reference to specific schedules and forms), how you've handled those issues, and in particular how you've created value for those clients.

One way to think of it might be as an advertising booklet given to potential clients that are somewhat knowledgeable about tax issues. If you were running your own firm, what would you want potential clients to know about your knowledge and services that might convince them to do business with you?

[jm962011]

Obviously what everyone else has said, do not take any returns with client information redacted.

However, I would prepare a “portfolio” which would really just be a list, organized differently from your resume of things you've worked on and could potentially present as knowing how to handle very well. Be sure to include the specific book-to-tax differences you're very familiar with, including their perm/temp classification, any bonus depreciation calculations you've done/are familiar with (ie: which states don't conform to Fed bonus at all, or that do recognize bonus but not the amount on the federal return), apportionment for multi-state businesses, certain fixed asset issues, etc. I'd also include any tax planning you've suggested for any of the corporations or individuals you've been involved with, any credits and incentives, any Fed/State R&D or employment credits. If you've done any sales and use or property tax work or fed/state audit work

I'd also list forms beyond the 1065/1120/1040 that you've filed to include the FBAR, 5471/5472/1042, (if you're familiar with those) or certain schedules that you've come across time and time again.

If I were to sit down and do something like this is, I'd probably have the following:

1. Industry: Computer Software
a. Client: $500m in revenue, public US company
-1120 with 5471s for foreign subs
-foreign withholding tax compliance
-R&D study
-IRS audit defense
b. Client: $100m in revenue, private
-sales and use tax software implementation

2. Industry: Manufacturing
a. Client: $3b in revenue, public Irish company
-1065
-transfer pricing studies
-employment credit study
-incentive for relocating study

[fuzyfro89]

When you say “is requesting examples”, I'm assuming they would just want a list of the type of returns/projects/scenarios you have dealt with in your work history… not a copy of the work itself!

If they clarify they want copies, you should say you are not willing to divulge client and employer data. It is a violation of both ethics and maybe even licensure (depending on how well you scrub identifying information, it could even result in criminal or even civil penalties…).

[Author]

Replies