Tax Preparer Background Check Authorization Form

Tax Preparer Background Check Authorization Form Template

When hiring tax preparation professionals, thorough background verification is essential to protect your firm, maintain client trust, and ensure IRS compliance. This Tax Preparer Background Check Authorization Form streamlines the entire vetting process, collecting PTIN credentials, criminal history authorization, and reference consent in one professional, secure submission.

Why Tax Preparation Firms Need This Form

Tax preparers handle sensitive financial information and must meet strict regulatory standards. Whether you're a CPA firm, tax preparation franchise, or accounting practice, this form helps you:

• Verify IRS credentials including Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN) and professional certifications
• Obtain proper authorization for criminal background checks and credit history reviews
• Secure reference consent to contact previous employers and professional references
• Maintain compliance with IRS Circular 230 and state licensing requirements
• Document due diligence for quality control and risk management
• Streamline onboarding by collecting all authorizations in one digital submission

What Makes This Form Essential for Accounting and Tax Firms

This template goes beyond basic background check forms by addressing the specific requirements of the tax preparation industry. It captures PTIN information, professional credentials, tax software experience, and specialized authorizations required for financial service professionals.

The form includes conditional logic that adapts based on the applicant's credentials—certified professionals see different verification fields than seasonal preparers, and those with licensing in multiple states can provide all relevant information without confusion.

How Paperform Enhances Your Hiring Process

Built on Paperform, this background check authorization form delivers a professional experience that reflects well on your firm while making compliance easier:

• Secure data collection with SOC 2 Type II compliance and encryption, protecting sensitive SSN and PTIN information
• eSignature integration through Papersign lets candidates sign authorizations digitally, creating legally binding consent without printing or scanning
• Conditional logic shows only relevant questions based on credentials, location, and employment history
• Instant notifications alert your HR team when new authorizations are submitted
• Automated workflows through Stepper can trigger background check services, update your applicant tracking system, and route approvals to hiring managers

Who Benefits from This Template

This form is designed for:

• CPA firms and accounting practices hiring seasonal and year-round tax preparers
• Tax preparation franchises (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax) processing high-volume seasonal hiring
• Payroll service providers adding tax preparation services
• Financial advisory firms expanding into tax planning
• HR departments in multi-location accounting firms needing standardized vetting
• Staffing agencies specializing in finance and accounting placements

Streamline with Stepper Workflow Automation

Once a candidate submits their authorization, Stepper can automatically:

• Send PTIN verification requests to the IRS database or third-party verification services
• Submit criminal background check orders to screening providers like Checkr or Sterling
• Email reference request forms to previous employers
• Update your applicant tracking system with verification status
• Notify hiring managers when all checks are complete
• Create onboarding tasks in your project management system

This automation eliminates manual data entry and ensures no authorization falls through the cracks during busy tax season hiring.

Security and Compliance You Can Trust

Tax preparers must meet high standards, and so should your hiring forms. Paperform is SOC 2 Type II compliant and GDPR-ready, with data residency controls and role-based permissions. Combined with Papersign for compliant eSignatures, you have a complete solution that meets professional service standards.

Get Started in Minutes

This template includes all the fields tax preparation firms need: personal information, PTIN and certification details, employment history, authorization statements, and signature fields. Customize the questions to match your firm's specific requirements, add your branding, and start collecting authorizations today.

Whether you're hiring one senior tax manager or 50 seasonal preparers, this form helps you maintain consistent, compliant hiring practices while giving candidates a smooth, professional experience.

Ready to modernize your tax preparer hiring process? Start with this template and discover how Paperform makes compliance simple.