When I started my career, I didn’t necessarily set out to find a job with so much flexibility and personalization, but I certainly found it when I came to Intuit a few years ago. Intuit is helping millions of customers overcome their most important financial challenges through their ecosystem of products: TurboTax, QuickBooks, Credit Karma and Mailchimp. Being a tax and bookkeeping expert for TurboTax and QuickBooks has allowed me to create a life that balances my professional needs with my family commitments. Keep reading to learn more about my path at Intuit, the life of a tax and accounting expert, and how I’m stepping outside my comfort zone.
Finding a great opportunity in tax prep
I’ve always worked in the customer service industry, even in high school. Soon after, a girlfriend of mine said that she was going to take a tax class at our local tax preparation office, and I decided to join her. We took the class together, and we ended up getting hired. I worked there for about nine years.
When my friend and former manager at the local office started working for Intuit as a TurboTax expert, they suggested that I come work there as well. I took them up on the offer! Soon I began working for the company as a seasonal tax expert.
Recently, I was asked to be part of a pilot where I would have the opportunity to not only work on TurboTax Live chat, but I would also join a cross-product team for QuickBooks. It’s really exciting to help test a new way of working and growing the business. Now being a tax and bookkeeping expert across products is a year-round position!
How Intuit helps people (like me!) grow their careers
For starters, Intuit offers a personalized employment path – across products, disciplines, seasonal vs. year-round, and more – to meet the needs of your life. The expert career opportunities are really designed for talented individuals who want to define and create a personalized career and/or potentially uncover new ways to supplement their own business.
Additionally, managers here are very supportive, and the company will help you with certifications. For example, just last year, I received my enrolled agent (EA) credential with Intuit’s support. I enrolled in Intuit’s EA Credential Assistance Program, which gave me access to online study materials from Fast Forward Academy and financial assistance to cover the cost of testing. As an Intuit expert, the program didn’t cost me anything. I was also able to connect with mentors and other experts working towards their EA to get support with studying and taking EA exams.
That example is one of the many career development opportunities and job personalization opportunities that Intuit provides for their tax and accounting experts. This commitment to advancing their experts results in a truly talented team.
What it’s like working with a diverse team of smart people
It’s awesome! All of the tax and accounting experts I work with are QuickBooks certified, have more than 10 years of experience in the tax and accounting industry, and have expansive credentials (including CPA, EA, and JD). Many of them work part time at Intuit and supplement their own practice. It’s nice because even though we all have certifications, we each have our own unique strengths. No one can be an expert in everything, so we learn from each other’s talents.
Why working from home as an Intuit expert is amazing
I am a single mom, and I’m able to create my hours and schedule based on my needs for my kids – which allows me to take them to school in the morning. I absolutely love that flexibility. I can choose to work all nights or weekends if I want – but I don’t have to – during the tax season.
At first, working from home was a little difficult because I’ve always worked in an office with people. Occasionally, I miss those friendships in an office setting. But in Michigan, we have all four seasons — so I don’t miss driving to work in our snowy winters! Despite working from home now, my team and I are still able to foster strong working relationships through messaging, video chat, and more.
Stepping outside my comfort zone
Being extroverted? That’s a huge hurdle for me—I barely passed my public speaking class! So I took on a new challenge: Creating presentations and hosting workshops for QuickBooks. I’m happy that Intuit encourages me to step outside my comfort zone and I’m equally as proud of myself for discovering new talents.
The No. 1 reason to join Intuit.
The opportunities are so vast. There are so many career paths you can take at Intuit, and the company makes sure you have the tools and support you need on your journey. Bottom line? Intuit helps you achieve your professional goals without sacrificing your personal needs.
If you’re a tax, accounting, or financial professional and you’re interested in learning more about Intuit’s expert network and opportunities, visit our career site today.