Introduction: Embarking on a New Career Journey from Japan

When I moved from Japan to Southern California in 2014 for marriage, I knew that my 10+ years of accounting experience at a Japanese law firm might not immediately transfer here. From the beginning, I was deeply interested in web design, so I took several courses and decided to start my journey as a web designer and entrepreneur.

First Web Design Project: A Wedding Photography Company

In 2016, I took on my first project, redesigning a website for a wedding photography and videography company. The client had been struggling to attract new clients, so I rebuilt the site from the ground up, adding essential features like a portfolio, testimonials, an FAQ section, and a blog—features that were missing from the old site. Shortly after the launch, the client was thrilled to see a significant increase in customer inquiries.

Broadening My Skills Through New Projects

Since then, I’ve worked on various projects, including transforming non-responsive websites into fully responsive ones, each experience building my skills and shaping my journey as a web designer.

Witnessing the immediate impact of my work was incredibly rewarding. However, I often struggled with client acquisition and price competition.

Becoming a Mother and Reassessing My Career

After my daughter was born, I cherished the time I spent watching her grow. However, when she started preschool, I began to contemplate my next career move. Feeling that my accounting knowledge could be useful, I started considering certifications in the U.S. accounting field.

Discovering the World of Tax

To become a CPA, I learned that I needed a few more accounting credits on top of the credits I already had, so I enrolled in a local college. My first class was “Accounting 101,” where I re-learned the basics of the U.S. accounting system. Later, I took a tax course.

Exploring CTEC Certification

Today, tax returns are commonly prepared with software, but this class included assignments where we had to complete Form 1040 by hand. Like my classmates, I found this quite challenging.

That’s when I discovered the college’s tutoring center and decided to seek help for the first time. Thanks to the tutor’s support, I was able to complete my project. The tutor also recommended a class offered through the IRS’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, and encouraged me to contact the professor running it.

Beginning My Journey at H&R Block

VITA is an IRS-sponsored volunteer program that offers free tax return services to community members. After reaching out to the professor, I was invited to the VITA class orientation. When I mentioned my goal of becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA), the professor suggested starting with the CTEC (California Registered Tax Preparer) certification. I found out that by taking H&R Block's Income Tax Course and passing the exam, I could obtain my CTEC license. And as a mother of a young child, H&R Block’s evening classes were ideal for me.

During class, all participants received a survey asking if we were interested in working at H&R Block or taking an interview, so I tentatively checked “yes” and decided to go for the interview.

Having no prior experience working for an American company, I didn’t expect much, but I was offered the job.

In the interview, I was mainly asked about my past work experience. One question that stood out was about what I appreciated in a former boss. A condition of employment was that I had to pass the CTEC certification exam at the end of the course.

After passing the exam and completing a background check, my training began. The training involved completing specific online courses provided by H&R Block within a set deadline.

H&R Block’s Comprehensive Training and Support

H&R Block’s employee training courses covered countless topics in detail and were exceptionally comprehensive. Even today, I think there’s nothing that compares to them. In addition to the online training, I participated in role-playing exercises with other new team members at the office. Since I had never worked for an American company before and wasn’t fluent in English, I was filled with anxiety about preparing tax returns directly for clients.

My anxiety only grew because H&R Block accepts walk-in clients, meaning I had to be ready to prepare returns in front of clients on the spot. While H&R Block’s courses included simulation videos, I also found the following video helpful. This video taught me practical questioning techniques.

Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Confidence

I almost quit several times before actually starting to work. However, thanks to excellent support, I managed to get through tax season.

I was assigned a dedicated mentor. Whenever I was unsure of something during client interactions, I could call them over, and they would assist me. Additionally, H&R Block has an internal resource called the Tax Institute, where you can submit any question, no matter how difficult, and receive a researched response. This provided immense reassurance.

H&R Block uses its own tax software, which is incredibly user-friendly and meticulously designed to prevent errors. I have experience with other tax software but think nothing compares to it. This opinion is shared by many former colleagues who also started at H&R Block.

Furthermore, the training courses offered a search function, allowing me to look up specific topics and find relevant sections for self-study.

The following video explains how H&R Block provides an excellent environment for new tax preparers to gain experience. This video inspired me to commit myself to succeed at H&R Block.

Gaining Experience Through the VITA Program

I also participated in the previously mentioned VITA program to further gain experience.

Through a college course, I was able to join the VITA program, which required passing a qualification test that wasn’t too difficult.

The program involved scheduled days during tax season when community members would come to the college campus for free tax return services. We prepared their returns in turn, and if we needed assistance, professors were on hand to help, providing reassurance.

Community members waited in a separate area until their returns were completed, so I didn’t feel excessive pressure.

I received deep gratitude from the community members, and the camaraderie among everyone, along with snacks from the professors, made for an enjoyable experience.

This marked the beginning of my journey as a tax preparer.

Reflection and Future Goals

While developing my skills as a tax preparer, I maintained my desire to help others through creative work. This led me to establish SoCal Creative Works, a web design studio.

After experiencing the hectic tax season, I now offer specialized website templates for tax preparers and accountants to improve efficiency during tax season. Feel free to explore the templates at Our Template Shop.