Basic Tax Class and Advanced Tax ClassDr. Tony (Thanh) Bui, DBA, CPA
VIENES

In Person at the Denver, CO Office

Learn to Prepare Taxes the Way a CPA Thinks.

From interviewing the client and organizing documents, to entering data in tax software and reviewing the file so it follows the law, saves taxes legally, and lowers the risk of an IRS audit.

Reserve a Seat in the Next Course See the Two Courses

This course trains tax skills and tax thinking. You will not become a CPA when you finish, because CPA licenses are issued by each state's board of accountancy.

Next Course

Start Dates
Basic Class: November 14, 2026
Advanced Class: November 30, 2026
Length
Basic: 7 consecutive days
Advanced: 8 consecutive days
Tuition
Email or message us for details
Seats per Class
Up to 15 students
Registration Deadline
November 8, 2026
Location
Tony Bui CPA Office
1035 A S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
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What You Will Learn

Knowing Where to Enter the Numbers Is Not Enough. You Need to Understand Why.

Software can calculate a tax return, but it cannot interview a client, notice missing documents, or explain the law to a client. This course teaches that part of the work.

You learn to approach a file with a 5-step process, and you practice in tax software from the first session.

  1. 1

    Understand

    Get to Know the Client

    Learn how to ask questions to understand the client's situation, sources of income, and business activity.

  2. 2

    Organize

    Build the File

    Identify the information and documents to collect, organize the file, and spot missing data.

  3. 3

    Analyze

    Study the Facts

    Look at how tax rules apply to a specific situation and spot issues that need further checking.

  4. 4

    Optimize

    Weigh the Tax Options

    Learn how to evaluate the lawful options that may apply, based on the facts and current rules.

  5. 5

    Review & Protect

    Review and Keep Records

    Check for common mistakes, identify points that may need an explanation, and keep the right supporting documents.

The Rhythm of Each Class Session

  1. 01Q&A
  2. 02Homework Review
  3. 03New Material
  4. 04Hands-On Work in Tax Software
  5. 05CPA Decision Lab™Review real files and decide how to handle them like a CPA

CPA Decision Lab™

Ask Not Only “Which Number Do I Enter?” but Also “Why?”

In the practice exercises, you look at simulated tax situations and learn to ask the right questions.

Questions You Will Practice Answering

  • The client gave incomplete information: what else do you need to ask?
  • Which revenue and expense figures need to be verified?
  • Which documents support the proposed tax treatment?
  • Are there any errors to fix before the return is finished?
  • When there is not enough information to reach a conclusion, what is the next step?

Illustrative Scenario (Not a Real Client)

A Nail Salon Owner's File

Situation: Revenue in the books is about the same as last year, but supply costs rose sharply and employee wages dropped.

Analysis questions: Why did costs go up? Do the large expenses have documents? How are the employees paid, and do the payroll records match?

Approach: Request documents for the large expenses, compare revenue to bank deposits and card statements, check the payroll records, note the points that may need an explanation, and only then decide how to handle it.

The goal of CPA Decision Lab™ is to help you build a systematic way of thinking, explain the reason for your treatment, and know when to research further or seek professional advice.

Two Courses

Choose the Course That Fits Where You Are Now.

Starts November 14 · 7 Consecutive Days

Basic Tax Class

Tax law foundations for beginners, business owners, and people who rent out property.

  • Tax law foundations for the self-employed
  • Schedule C with real examples: nail salons, restaurants, landscaping, construction…
  • Schedule E: long-term and short-term rentals
  • Client interviews, paperwork, and data entry in tax software
  • Protecting the file in an audit (audit protection)

In the course, you will practice:

  • Interview a client and identify the documents to collect for an individual or self-employed file
  • Enter a return with Schedule C or Schedule E in tax software
  • Check for common errors and review a tax return rigorously, to a CPA's standard
  • Look for lawful ways to reduce taxes
Register for the Basic Tax Class

Starts November 30 · 8 Consecutive Days

Advanced Tax Class

For people already familiar with individual taxes who want to serve business owners at a deeper level.

  • The bookkeeping you need to read and prepare a business file
  • S-Corp and Partnership with many real examples
  • Reasonable compensation
  • Tracking basis and how K-1s flow through
  • Payroll for businesses
  • Tax software practice and review of business files

In the course, you will practice:

  • Understand bookkeeping and accounting adjustments for tax purposes
  • Collect complete documentation for a business tax return
  • Enter return figures so they make sense in both accounting and tax terms
  • Read the structure of S-Corp and Partnership returns, and follow a K-1 into the individual return
  • Look at reasonable compensation for S-Corp owners and track basis
  • Review files and tax returns to a CPA's standard
Register for the Advanced Tax Class

What the Course Includes

  • 7 sessions (Basic Class) or 8 sessions (Advanced Class), taught in person at the office in Denver, CO
  • Slides and course materials
  • Homework, homework review, and Q&A every session
  • A final exam

Students need to bring: a personal laptop.

Who the Course Is For

Business Owners

You want to understand the taxes of your business, restaurant, or company so you can work with your accountant with confidence, file in line with the law, and not miss chances to save on taxes.

Focus on: Schedule C, Schedule E, records to keep, audit protection.

People Who Want a Career in Tax Preparation

You want to explore tax preparation as a profession in a serious way, starting from the right foundation and getting used to how a CPA works.

Focus on: client interviews, software data entry, file review, CPA Decision Lab™.

People Who Want to File Their Own Taxes Professionally

You want to prepare your own taxes in a professional way, with a rigorous file and return that follow the law and protect your tax rights.

Focus on: tax law foundations, lawful tax savings, lowering the risk of an IRS audit.

Dr. Tony (Thanh) Bui, DBA, CPA

Instructor

Dr. Tony (Thanh) Bui, DBA, CPA

A licensed CPA in California and Colorado, with a doctorate and a university accounting instructor.

Tony runs a CPA office in Denver and teaches the way a CPA works with real clients.

  • CPA, California
  • CPA, Colorado
  • DBA, Accounting Instructor

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I learn this with no experience?

The Basic Tax Class starts from the basics, so you do not need to know everything in advance. What you need is to be ready to learn, do the homework, and ask questions. If you already know individual taxes and want to work on business files, look at the Advanced Tax Class.

What is a CPA? Do I have to be a CPA to prepare taxes?

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is an accountant licensed by a state board of accountancy. To get a license, a person usually must complete the required number of college credits (most states require 150), pass the national CPA exam, have the required work experience, and follow professional ethics standards. Exact requirements vary by state.

You do not have to be a CPA to prepare taxes for pay. A paid tax preparer needs a PTIN issued by the IRS, and some states (for example, California) have additional registration requirements. Check the rules where you plan to practice.

So why learn the way a CPA works? CPAs, EAs (Enrolled Agents), and attorneys have unlimited rights to represent clients before the IRS. CPAs are also bound by the professional and ethical standards of the profession, so the work emphasizes understanding the law, asking the right questions, keeping rigorous records, and reviewing carefully. That is the thinking this course teaches.

Please note: finishing this course does not make you a CPA, and the course does not grant a license or degree from any state.

What will I get out of it?

Besides understanding tax law better, you will gain more hands-on experience, because you get the chance to work on many real client files and learn from mistakes in practice.

What are the tuition and refund policy?

Tuition is paid before the course begins and is non-refundable. For details, please email or message the office.

What does the course cover?

This is a course in tax knowledge and skills, with step-by-step guidance in professional tax preparation. Besides tax knowledge, students are given real files to practice on: interviewing, organizing the file properly, entering data into the software the right way, checking for common errors, and lowering risk like a CPA.

When does it start, and how many seats are left?

The Basic Class starts November 14, 2026 (7 consecutive days). The Advanced Class starts November 30, 2026 (8 consecutive days). Seats per class: up to 15 students. Registration deadline: November 8, 2026. Classes are small so the instructor can help each student during practice.

Should I choose the Basic Tax Class or the Advanced Tax Class?

If you are just starting out, or mostly work on individual returns, small shops, and rental property, choose the Basic Tax Class. If you already know individual taxes and want to work on company files, choose the Advanced Tax Class. If you want to take both, or you are not sure which to choose, contact the office for advice.

What is CPA Decision Lab™?

CPA Decision Lab™ is the last part of each session, where you review, correct, and finalize a tax file like a CPA: ask questions about unusual items, decide how to handle them, and be able to explain why. The goal is a file that follows the law, lowers risk, and saves taxes legally, to the standards of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Which tax software will I learn, and do I need to bring a laptop?

Students practice on the tax software at the office. What to bring: a personal laptop.

Where is the class, and what about parking?

Classes are held at the Tony Bui CPA office, 1035 A S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219. Parking is available at the office.

Can I prepare taxes for myself or my business after the course?

The course helps you better understand the process and the issues to consider. Whether you can prepare your own return depends on how complex your file is, and on your experience and knowledge. Some situations need more research or professional help.

Does the course guarantee I will find a job or get clients?

No. The course focuses on teaching knowledge and practical skills. It does not guarantee a job, income, or any number of clients.

Ready to Understand Taxes the Way a CPA Thinks?

The Basic Class starts November 14 and the Advanced Class starts November 30, 2026. Each class has up to 15 students, and the registration deadline is November 8, 2026. You will receive the schedule and instructions after you register.

Register for the Basic Tax Class Register for the Advanced Tax Class