Senior Tax Preparer

Senior Tax Preparer

Washington & Co. is a strategic tax and accounting advisory firm that helps business owners and individuals make informed tax and financial decisions. Our work extends beyond entering information into tax forms. We prepare returns that accurately reflect each client's circumstances, identify compliance concerns, and recognize opportunities for stronger tax planning and financial outcomes. We are seeking an experienced Senior Tax Preparer who can independently manage individual and business tax returns from document collection through filing.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently prepare individual, S Corporation, partnership, and corporate tax returns.
• Manage assigned engagements from document collection through signature, e-filing, and completion.
• Prepare complex returns involving business activity, rental properties, investments, multiple income sources, pass-through entities, and multi-state filings.
• Review prior-year returns, accounting records, tax documents, and client information for completeness and accuracy.
• Identify missing information, inconsistencies, unusual transactions, and technical concerns before final review.
• Perform a detailed self-review of every return.
• Maintain complete, organized, and review-ready workpapers and preparation notes.
• Review returns prepared by other tax staff when assigned.
• Use Intuit ProConnect Tax Online confidently and efficiently.
• Prepare, diagnose, review, and finalize federal and state returns within ProConnect.
• Resolve software diagnostics and routine preparation issues independently.
• Confirm that returns are complete, internally consistent, and ready for final review.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding missing documents, open questions, deadlines, return status, and next steps.
• Provide timely updates without waiting for clients to request them.
• Explain document requests and preparation issues clearly and professionally.
• Manage routine client matters independently while escalating technical or sensitive concerns appropriately.
• Document material client communications and decisions in the firm's systems.
• Manage multiple client engagements and deadlines with urgency and accountability.
• Maintain accurate task statuses, notes, and documentation.
• Identify roadblocks early and provide the information needed to resolve them.
• Recognize potential tax planning opportunities and communicate them to the Tax Planning team.
• Follow firm workflows, checklists, quality-control procedures, and documentation standards.
• Assist with training and mentoring tax staff as assigned.
• Stay current on relevant federal and state tax developments.

Qualifications Required

• At least five years of public accounting tax experience.
• At least two years of direct, hands-on Intuit ProConnect Tax Online experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently preparing individual and business tax returns.
• Experience preparing Forms 1040, 1120, 1120S, and 1065.
• Experience preparing complex returns and multi-state filings.
• Experience identifying technical, documentation, and accuracy issues before final review.
• Ability to manage an assigned client portfolio with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of federal and state tax preparation requirements.
• Strong tax research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and professional client communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and remain accountable in a remote environment.
• Permanent residence and work location within the Eastern or Central Time Zone.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred

The following qualifications are valuable but are not required:

• Active CPA or Enrolled Agent credential.
• Active PTIN and ability to sign returns.
• Significant return-review experience.
• Experience with high-income or high-net-worth individual returns.
• Experience with QuickBooks, ClickUp, Excel, Corvee, or similar platforms.
• Experience using additional cloud-based professional tax software.
• Experience training or mentoring tax staff.
• Experience working for a remote accounting or professional-services firm.

Candidates without a CPA or EA will receive full consideration if their experience demonstrates strong technical ability, independent preparation skills, sound professional judgment, and the ability to contribute quickly.

What Success Looks Like

• Takes ownership of assigned engagements through completion.
• Independently prepares both individual and business tax returns.
• Produces accurate, organized, and review-ready work.
• Works confidently and efficiently in ProConnect Tax Online.
• Identifies missing, inconsistent, or technically incorrect information.
• Manages complex returns and multi-state filings independently.
• Communicates proactively with clients and team members.
• Identifies problems early and recommends practical next steps.
• Manages deadlines without repeated reminders or step-by-step direction.
• Recognizes potential planning opportunities and escalates them appropriately.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 – $95,000 (based on experience)

Benefits include:

• Fully remote work within the approved geographic area.
• Paid time off under the firm's PTO policy.
• Health insurance eligibility after 60 days.
• Education assistance of up to $5,250 after one year, subject to approval.
• Access to CPE.com.
• Required virtual meetings and semiannual in-person conferences.

Certification and education bonuses :

• CPA certification: $2,000
• Enrolled Agent certification: $1,500
• MSA or MST degree completion: $2,500
• Firm-approved advanced CPE completion: $500

Eligibility requirements and firm approval may apply.

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Tax Preparer directly affects the accuracy of our work, the quality of our client relationships, and the efficiency of our Tax Department. By independently managing client engagements, preparing complex individual and business returns, communicating proactively, and identifying concerns early, this position helps Washington & Co. provide accurate, responsive, and professional tax services.