Associate 2027 - Tax, Audit, Small Business

Tax Associate

The Associate is responsible for preparing tax returns and completing working papers for assigned clients. They help clients improve their tax function to control risk and facilitate better decision making. Associates act as strategic consultants by providing advice and helping organizations and individuals understand various tax implications. The Associate provides exceptional client service as a trusted business advisor. Responsibilities include:

• Work as part of a team reviewing tax strategies, ensuring tax compliance and increasing post tax profits to achieve the best corporate and individual tax practices for our clients
• Independently prepare tax returns, working with a variety of entities such as corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts and non-profits across various industries
• Assist on tax-related projects on an ad hoc basis
• Review data input and resolve technical tax issues; respond to inquiries from the IRS and other taxing authorities
• Provide guidance to Tax Interns in the scanning and preparation of tax returns
• Answer client calls and emails in timely manner and with a solution-oriented approach
• Ensure client deliverables are completed within expectations
• Identify and introduce other firm services based on client needs and discovered opportunities
• Keep up to date with local and national business and economic issues
• Participate in continuous learning activities and active research to improve and develop technical expertise; apply learned concepts
• Collaborate with leader to identify opportunities for efficiencies and proactive engagement management

Audit Associate

The Associate helps clients solve complex business issues from strategy to execution. They provide valuable insights in managing risk and improving business performance and overall financial reporting processes. They keep clients regularly informed about their financial progress and developments that may impact the business. Responsibilities include:

• Assist in detailed testing procedures of the balance sheet and income statement accounts as well as preparation and testing of financial statements and disclosures
• Review and audit business transaction cycles such as treasury, cash, capital expenditures, and other income and expenses
• Visit client onsite for required audits and/or other financial inquiries
• Answer client calls and emails in a timely manner and with a solution-oriented approach
• Produce quality service and statements for the in-charge to review with minimal corrections
• Review audit issues and review financial information using available technology tools and research engines
• Read prior year financial statements and client website and actively seek out information from team members to gain understanding of client business and industry
• Proactively inform engagement team of work status and request information from client as needed
• Ensure client deliverables are met within expectations
• Develop an understanding of other firm services and application in relationship to client needs
• Keep up to date with local and national business and economic issues
• Participate in continuous learning activities and active research to improve and develop technical expertise; apply learned concepts
• Collaborate with leader to identify opportunities for efficiencies and proactive engagement management

Small Business Associate

The Associate is responsible for working with clients on general bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, business and individual tax returns. They ensure all work papers, journal entries and tax documents are completed diligently, in a timely manner and as efficiently as possible. Associates provide exceptional client service as a trusted business advisor. Responsibilities include:

• Prepare necessary work papers, journal entries, financial statements and prepare tax returns for review by the in-charge
• Onsite client work as deemed necessary
• Answer client calls and emails in timely manner and with a solution-oriented approach
• Produce quality documentation, financial statements and tax returns for review with minimal corrections
• Develop understanding of relationship of financial statement outcome to tax implications to client
• Read prior year financial statements, tax returns and client website and actively seek out information from team members to gain understanding of client business and industry
• Prepare tax returns and conduct self-review of work before submission to in- charge/reviewer
• Proactively inform engagement team of work status and request information from client as needed
• Ensure client deliverables are met within expectations
• Develop an understanding of other firm services and application in relationship to client needs
• Keep up to date with local and national business and economic issues
• Participate in continuous learning activities and active research to improve and develop technical expertise; apply learned concepts
• Collaborate with leader to identify opportunities for efficiencies and proactive engagement management

Success Factors

People Management/Relationships

• Takes initiative to be a team player (seeks out opportunities to help others)
• Treats everyone with respect
• Develops loyalty and trust with team
• Successfully adapts to different personalities and working styles
• Proactively and effectively communicates information regarding status issues to team members
• Holds self-accountable for assigned work; seeks continuous feedback to learn and develop in role; open to new ideas and suggestions

Business Growth (if applicable)

• Possesses an understanding of RKL's business (service lines, competitors) and client service capabilities and the impact of technology upon the firm's growth and success

Qualification

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Skills

• Excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail
• Multitasker with the ability to prioritize work accordingly
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong client service focus
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of general accounting and tax principles and willingness to learn, drive for self-improvement
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite products and technologically-savvy
• Self-motivated and willingness to enhance accounting and advisory knowledge
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting; graduating students should have 150 credit hours and a GPA of 3.0 or above
• Actively pursuing CPA licensure, if not already obtained

Essential Functions

• Regularly required to perform manual tasks, concentrate, think, learn, communicate, sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, grasp, handle or feel objects, reach with arms, talk and hear
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position as needed
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office and on site at client locations, stoop, kneel, crouch, push and pull
• Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner and exchange information with internal and external actors as needed
• Ability to lift/carry up to 20 pounds
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours and weekends as needed
• Ability to travel to local and non-local clients and events as needed, overnight travel may be required
• This job description is subject to change at any time and employee will be given additional responsibilities as assigned

Salary Range:

$60,000 - $70,000