Tax Accountant (Public Accounting - Small Firm)
10 days ago
Cincinnati
Job Description Tax Accountant (Public Accounting - Small Firm) This is a client-facing role at a smaller public accounting firm where you'll handle a mix of tax compliance, light bookkeeping, and advisory work. You'll prepare and review returns for individuals and small businesses, maintain clean client books, and help owners make informed decisions throughout the year. This position is hybrid with 2 days in office per week and 3 days working from home or visiting clients. This is a direct hire, permanent placement opportunity that will pay between $70K and $90K annually. Responsibilities • Prepare and review federal, state, and local income tax returns for individuals, S ? corps, C ? corps, partnerships, trusts, and LLCs, • Perform tax planning and research; identify credits, elections, and strategies appropriate for small businesses and their owners, • Maintain client books: post transactions, reconcile bank and credit card accounts, record payroll entries, and ensure month ? end close accuracy, • Prepare and file sales/use tax, CAT/gross receipts, payroll tax, and information returns (1099s/W ? 2s) as needed, • Build and maintain organized workpapers and schedules; document assumptions and support in a clear, review ? ready format, • Communicate directly with clients to request information, explain findings, and provide practical recommendations, • Respond to tax notices; prepare reasonable cause letters and supporting documentation when applicable, • Collaborate on year ? end close and trial balance cleanup ahead of return preparation, • Participate in quality control: peer review of returns and reconciliations; follow firm procedures and checklists, • Contribute to process improvements, templates, and best practices to increase efficiency and consistency Required qualifications, • CPA license or Enrolled Agent license (active and in good standing), • 2-5+ years of recent experience in public accounting preparing individual and small ? business returns, • Proficiency with Intuit Lacerte for tax preparation and QuickBooks (Online and/or Desktop) for bookkeeping, • Solid understanding of GAAP for small businesses and practical small ? firm workflows (chart of accounts, closing entries, supporting schedules), • Strong client communication skills, professional judgment, and the ability to explain complex topics simply, • High attention to detail with the discipline to meet deadlines during peak season, • Preferred qualifications, • Experience with multi ? state filings and nexus analysis for small businesses, • Familiarity with payroll platforms and sales tax filing portals, • Comfort with Excel/Google Sheets for templates, pivot tables, and reconciliations, • Exposure to trust/estate returns, fixed asset accounting, and depreciation methods Tools and Technology, • Tax: Lacerte, • Accounting: QuickBooks Online and/or Desktop, • Productivity: Excel/Sheets, Word/Docs, and firm document management systems, • Success indicators, • Accurate, timely returns with clean workpapers and easy ? to ? follow review notes, • Client books reconciled monthly and ready for tax season with minimal cleanup, • Proactive communication that reduces surprises and improves client outcomes, • Consistent adherence to firm processes, checklists, and data security standards, • Work environment and schedule, • Full ? time, with additional hours during peak tax season, • Client meetings as needed; some flexibility for remote work depending on firm policy, • Compensation and benefits, • Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus potential bonus tied to billable performance and firm results, • Standard small ? firm benefits package (to be customized): health benefits, retirement plan, paid time off, CPE support, licensure fees, and professional memberships If you are interested in learning more, please apply now. Pay Details: $70,000.00 to $90,000.00 per year Search managed by: Christopher Riley Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled Military connected talent encouraged to apply To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: • The California Fair Chance Act, • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance, • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, • San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceMassachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.