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@tfreis wrote:

As for doing a manual test, we would prefer the use of tax software, which is in line with what they can expect from this position. 

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This is only my opinion, so it may not be worth much, but ...

Unless you require previous knowledge of specific tax software (ProSeries), it seems more logical to me that you would want the potential employee to know how things should show up on the tax return.  Personally, I think having them manually fill out the forms would show A LOT more about how much they know about how to prepare a return, rather than just filling out screens in software.

I also wouldn't want to have the potential employee struggle with software they don't know during testing, and even more so, that they won't be even be using if you hire them.

Personally, I think having them manually fill out the forms makes more sense and will give you a better idea of how much they know.  But as I said, that is only my opinion.