Lambo Tax Preparation Academy
Lambo Tax Preparation Academy
Beginner to return-ready
Learn the tax law once on paper, then learn each software as a short track.
The academy turns a beginner into a return-ready preparer in about 14 weeks part-time, then certifies them on specific software in 1–2 week add-on tracks.
Just want to do your own taxes? Start the step-by-step courseThe path
- 01
Foundations
about 30 h
- 02
Individual
about 70 h
- 03
Business
about 60 h
- 04
Exempt Organizations
about 25 h
- 05
Software Core + tracks
10 h + 4–18 h
Our mission
One return, many interfaces
The academy turns a beginner into a return-ready preparer in about 14 weeks part-time, then certifies them on specific software in 1–2 week add-on tracks. The core idea: learn the tax law and the workflow once, on paper and on real forms, then learn each software as a different interface to the same return. A preparer who understands Form 1040, Schedule C and Form 1120-S can pick up a new package in days; one who only learned screens cannot.
Two ways to learn
Prepare returns for others, or file your own
Professional path · about 14 weeks part-time
Become a tax preparer
Levels 1–4 of tax law on paper (individual, business and nonprofit), then the Universal Software Core and professional tracks: ProSeries, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake, TaxSlayer Pro, TaxWise and more.
See the program mapFile Your Own Taxes · about 10.5 hours + one lab
Prepare your own return
Step-by-step lessons on a practice return with a known answer, then a lab in the software you'll use: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, Cash App Taxes, TaxSlayer, IRS Free File or MilTax.
Start step by stepAI tutors
A tax professional at your elbow, by text or voice
Stuck on a rule, a form line or a software screen? Ask Marcus or Elena. They explain tax law the way an experienced preparer would, know their way around professional and consumer software, and know which unit you're studying.
- Individual, business and nonprofit tax law
- ProSeries, Lacerte, Drake, TurboTax and more
- Ask out loud with your microphone
- Hear answers in a male or female voice
Marcus · male voice
Calm, structured, numbers first
Walks you from the source document to the exact line on the return, with a worked example every time.
Elena · female voice
Warm, brisk, asks the right questions
Asks the questions a seasoned preparer would ask, so you learn to spot the issue yourself.
AI tutors for learning, not tax advice. Free student account required.
Who it serves
- New seasonal preparers with no tax background
- Working preparers adding business or nonprofit returns
- Preparers switching or adding software (a firm moving from Drake to ProConnect, say)
- Firm onboarding cohorts and VITA/TCE-style volunteer programs
- People who want to prepare their own return, step by step (the File Your Own Taxes path)
What a graduate can do
- Interview a client, gather documents and spot missing items
- Prepare and self-review federal returns: individual (1040), sole proprietor, partnership (1065), S corporation (1120-S), C corporation (1120) and exempt organization (990 series)
- Meet preparer duties: PTIN, Circular 230, due diligence (Form 8867), data security and e-file rules
- Prepare the same returns in at least one professional package, and switch packages with a short track
Credentials
What you earn along the way
| Credential | Earned after | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Foundations Certificate | Level 1 | Prerequisite for everything else |
| Certified Individual Preparer | Levels 1–2 + capstone | Ready for a 1040 practice |
| Certified Business Preparer | Level 3 + capstone | 1065, 1120-S, 1120, payroll basics |
| Certified Exempt Organization Preparer | Level 4 + capstone | 990-N, 990-EZ, 990, 990-T |
| Software Specialist (one per product) | Each Level 5 track | One badge per package |
| Confident Self-Filer Certificate | File Your Own Taxes path + practice return | For preparing your own return; not a credential to prepare returns for others |
| IRS AFSP Record of Completion (optional) | 18 CE hours if the academy becomes an IRS-approved CE provider | See Level 1 |
Academy Foundations Certificate
Earned after
Level 1
Notes
Prerequisite for everything else
Certified Individual Preparer
Earned after
Levels 1–2 + capstone
Notes
Ready for a 1040 practice
Certified Business Preparer
Earned after
Level 3 + capstone
Notes
1065, 1120-S, 1120, payroll basics
Certified Exempt Organization Preparer
Earned after
Level 4 + capstone
Notes
990-N, 990-EZ, 990, 990-T
Software Specialist (one per product)
Earned after
Each Level 5 track
Notes
One badge per package
Confident Self-Filer Certificate
Earned after
File Your Own Taxes path + practice return
Notes
For preparing your own return; not a credential to prepare returns for others
IRS AFSP Record of Completion (optional)
Earned after
18 CE hours if the academy becomes an IRS-approved CE provider
Notes
See Level 1
The academy credentials are private certificates, not licenses. The IRS's voluntary Annual Filing Season Program is the federal recognition most unenrolled preparers pursue, and the Enrolled Agent exam is the natural next step for graduates.
Ready to become a return-ready preparer?
Tell us which track interests you and we'll be in touch.