Senior Accountant / Tax & Client Accounting Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Location: San Diego, CA

We are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant / Tax & Client Accounting Professional to join our team. This is a client-facing position with responsibility for managing a portfolio of existing bookkeeping and accounting clients, onboarding new clients, reviewing work performed by bookkeeping staff, preparing business tax returns, and maintaining strong client relationships.

The ideal candidate will have extensive accounting and tax experience, strong knowledge of corporate and partnership taxation , and the ability to independently manage multiple clients and projects from start to finish.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys working directly with business owners and wants to take ownership of client relationships and accounting engagements.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Management & Relationships:

• Take ownership of an assigned portfolio of existing bookkeeping and accounting clients.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients regarding their accounting, financial reporting, and tax needs.
• Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with business owners and client contacts.
• Communicate directly with clients by phone, email, and meetings to answer questions and resolve accounting and tax issues.
• Identify client needs and opportunities for additional accounting, tax, and advisory services.
• Onboard new clients and establish accounting processes, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Gather necessary financial information and documentation from clients and follow up on outstanding items.
• Manage client expectations, deadlines, and deliverables.

Accounting & Bookkeeping Oversight:

• Review and oversee bookkeeping performed by accounting staff to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Review general ledger activity, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statements.
• Identify and correct accounting errors, discrepancies, and unusual transactions.
• Perform bank, credit card, loan, and balance sheet reconciliations as needed.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Analyze financial statements and provide meaningful information to clients and management.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing procedures.
• Provide guidance and direction to bookkeepers and assist with resolving complex accounting issues.
• Develop and implement accounting procedures and processes that improve accuracy and efficiency.

Tax Preparation:

• Prepare federal and state business tax returns, including Forms 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 .
• Review financial records and supporting documentation for tax preparation.
• Prepare tax workpapers and supporting schedules.
• Research tax issues and assist with tax planning and tax-related projects.
• Communicate with clients regarding tax return information, questions, and required documentation.
• Assist with responding to tax notices and other tax-related client matters as needed.
• Coordinate with management regarding more complex tax issues and client situations.

Financial Analysis & Advisory:

• Analyze client financial statements and business operations.
• Identify trends, discrepancies, and areas requiring attention.
• Provide clients with financial information and insight to assist with business decisions.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• 10+ years of accounting experience.
• Experience preparing Forms 1120, 1120-S, and 1065.
• Strong corporate and partnership tax knowledge.
• Hands-on experience with UltraTax CS.
• Strong experience with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.
• Experience working with multiple business clients simultaneously , preferably within a accounting or tax firm.

• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statement preparation.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and communicate directly with business owners.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and take ownership of client accounts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional, personable, and confident when interacting with clients.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and tax information.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone who can hit the ground running and take ownership of client relationships. The right person will be more than someone who simply prepares accounting records or tax returns. You will be responsible for understanding each client's business, knowing what is happening in their accounting, reviewing the work being performed on their behalf, and communicating directly with the client when questions or issues arise.

You should be comfortable looking at a set of financial statements and identifying when something doesn't look right. You should be able to investigate the issue, determine what needs to be done, and either resolve it yourself or communicate clearly with the appropriate team member.

Because this position will involve managing existing clients as well as bringing on new accounts, strong client-service and communication skills are essential .

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced – You understand accounting and tax and don't need to be taught the fundamentals.
• Independent – You can manage your workload and client accounts without constant direction.
• Detail-oriented – You notice discrepancies and take pride in producing accurate work.
• Client-focused – You enjoy building relationships and communicating directly with business owners.
• Solutions-oriented – You don't just identify problems; you work to find solutions.
• Organized – You can manage multiple clients and deadlines without losing track of details.
• A team player – You can work collaboratively with bookkeepers and other members of the accounting team while providing guidance and support when needed.

Position & Schedule:

This position will begin as a part-time position with the potential to grow into a full-time position based on the needs of the company and the candidate's availability. We offer a flexible work schedule and are willing to work with the right candidate to establish a schedule that works well for both the employee and the company. The position offers the opportunity for increased responsibility and a long-term role within our organization as the candidate's client base and responsibilities grow.

To Apply: Please submit your resume along with a brief description of your experience with:

• Business and corporate tax preparation.
• Forms 1120, 1120-S, and 1065.
• UltraTax CS.
• QuickBooks Online and/or Desktop.
• Managing multiple business clients.
• Reviewing bookkeeping work.
• Direct client communication and relationship management.