AVP-Tax Officer

AVP – Tax Officer at Whittier Trust Company

Whittier Trust is the oldest privately owned multi‑family office headquartered on the West Coast, providing exceptional client service and highly custom investment solutions for high‑net‑worth individuals and their families. Our dedicated professionals deliver a broad array of services—investment management, fiduciary, philanthropic, and family office—using a consulting approach tailored to complex family situations. The organization is flat, nimble, and deeply client‑focused, offering long‑term career satisfaction and low employee turnover.

The position offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, performance bonus, equity consideration, excellent medical, and retirement plans.

Position Summary

As an Assistant Vice President & Tax Officer, you will play a crucial role on our Tax Team, reporting directly to the Vice President of Tax Compliance. The team serves ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals, handling tax engagements that include advice, minimization strategies, planning, preparation of returns, and reviews.

Primary Responsibilities

Whittier Trust serves as trustee for many of our clients, and the receipt of accurate and timely tax compliance for corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals is a core responsibility.

Other Main Responsibilities

• Preparation and review of federal and state tax returns for ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals, including gift tax returns.
• Preparation and review of federal and state tax returns for S corporations, partnerships, private foundations, and trusts (including complex, grantor, simple, and split‑interest).
• Communicating complex tax issues to non‑tax professionals and clients regarding their corporate, partnership, and fiduciary roles.
• Providing tax research, drafting tax memoranda, and assisting with quantitative modeling for private clients (e.g., calculating charitable contributions for a charitable split‑interest trust).
• Liaising with and developing relationships with the Client Advisory Team, while communicating significant tax matters to the Director of Tax and Vice President of Tax Compliance.
• Assisting in developing other tax professionals within the department; reviewing their work and ensuring they have the knowledge, tools, and opportunities needed to succeed.
• Identifying and responding to risks and opportunities to enhance our services and processes.
• Preparing accounting records for closely held business entities, requiring a solid understanding of accounting fundamentals, journal entries, and book‑to‑tax adjustments.

Secondary Responsibilities

• General understanding of individual retirement accounts and Form 1099 preparation to support the Tax team in delivering these documents to clients promptly.

Required Qualifications

• Six years of experience in tax preparation, preferably with a regional or larger public accounting firm.
• A bachelor’s degree.
• A master’s degree in taxation is preferred but not required.
• CPA license or EA certification.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Knowledge of federal and state tax laws and regulations, with the ability to conduct research and draw conclusions.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and QuickBooks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate clearly and concisely with senior management, client advisors, portfolio managers, and ultra‑high‑net‑worth clients.
• Willingness to take an active leadership role on the Tax Team, including overtime and weekend work during busy seasons when necessary.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to independently generate new ideas.

Compensation

Base salary range: $150,000 – $185,000 annually.

Senior‑Level and Employment Details

• Seniority Level: Executive
• Employment Type: Full‑time
• Job Function: Accounting/Auditing and Finance