PracticeDen Senior Tax Associate

Overview

Employment: Full-time (Exempt)
Compensation: $80,000-$105,000 annually, depending on experience, credentials, and demonstrated capability
Start date: Flexible, as early as September 22, 2026 and as late as January 4, 2027
Location: Remote within approved U.S. work locations
Reporting to: Liz Sandstrom, EA, Tax Manager

This role is focused on senior-level tax preparation and review-ready work, with opportunities to grow into broader tax planning exposure and increased independence.

Responsibilities

• Prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals and closely held entities, with a core mix of Forms 1040, 1065, 1120-S, and 1120 (and additional returns as assigned, such as trusts and estates and related real estate entities)
• Build clean, complete workpapers with clear support, reconciliations, calculations, notes, and tie-outs so reviewer-ready work is straightforward
• Connect the financial trail across practice, real estate, and individual filings so related returns tell the same story
• Apply an accounting mindset to reconcile balance-sheet accounts, retained earnings, fixed assets, basis, owner activity, payroll, sales or excise tax, and other book-to-tax items included in the engagement
• Enter and validate tax data, including carryforwards, fixed assets, prior-year items, and current-year activity in UltraTax CS or a comparable platform
• Identify missing information, inconsistencies, unusual issues, capacity concerns, and potential deadline risks early
• Support extensions, estimates, e-filing, secure delivery, tax notices, and other technical items
• Recognize when work falls outside agreed scope and escalate to Liz before committing to additional work, fees, or timing
• Support tax planning by researching assigned questions, documenting facts/authority, and bringing clear recommendations and unresolved questions to Liz

Responsibilities (Technology & Process)

• Create traceable, well-organized Excel workpapers and analyses; review trial balances; propose journal entries as needed
• Learn and adapt to new tools quickly (tax software, workflow platforms, portals, collaboration tools)
• Use AI thoughtfully and responsibly using only firm-approved systems; protect client information and verify outputs
• Identify process improvements, test practical fixes, and help scale without sacrificing accuracy, controls, or confidentiality

Responsibilities (Collaboration & Communication)

• Provide clear status updates on open items, scope, risks, and deadlines
• Communicate in writing with clients in a clear, professional manner
• Apply reviewer feedback and use notes to improve the next engagement
• Coordinate with accounting, advisory, and client-service teammates when a tax return exposes an accounting issue, planning opportunity, or client need

Requirements

Must-haves

• At least three years of recent public accounting tax experience, including at least two busy seasons owning returns from client intake through reviewer submission
• Ability to prepare a varied return mix, understand what the numbers mean, and deliver work that is ready for review
• Meaningful experience with individual and closely held business returns
• Strong accounting skills: read financial statements, reconcile accounts, understand journal entries, and trace activity into a tax return
• Excel power-user capability: formulas, lookups, pivot tables, data cleanup, and well-organized workpapers
• Attention to detail: catch transposed numbers, missing support, and tie-out issues before review
• Interest in AI and automation with professional judgment, approved tools only, client privacy protection, and verified outputs
• Clear communication and sound judgment
• Busy-season stamina: prepared for 55+ hours during the heaviest filing-deadline stretches, typically February through April 15 and September through October 15
• Remote-work reliability: maintain a secure, professional workspace, dependable internet, and availability for Pacific Time collaboration during agreed working hours
• Professional references from prior employers, supervisors, or clients

Credential note

• CPA or Enrolled Agent credential is not required. Demonstrated capability, sound judgment, and commitment to continued learning are valued.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA license, EA certification, CPA eligibility, or active progress toward a credential
• Experience reviewing simpler returns or training less-experienced preparers
• Tax-tech fluency with UltraTax CS or another professional preparation platform, including e-file and portal workflows
• Experience improving or automating a tax/accounting workflow
• Familiarity with broader accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks, Workpapers CS, Practice CS, SurePrep, SafeSend, SharePoint, Notion, Missive, Bill.com, Gusto, Double, or similar systems)
• Experience with closely held business, multi-entity structures, real estate, professional practices, or veterinary-industry clients
• Experience with multistate, pass-through entity tax, basis, fixed asset, owner compensation, or closely held business planning

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $80,000-$105,000 annually (exempt, full-time)
• Medical, dental, and vision: employer pays 100% of employee premium for medical (BCBS PPO) and dental and vision (Delta Dental PPO)
  • Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the employee’s start date
  • Dependents may be added at the employee’s cost; benefits subject to plan terms
• 401(k): employer match up to 3% of eligible pay
  • Eligibility begins on the employee’s start date, subject to plan terms and applicable vesting schedule
• Paid holidays: six current firm holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day) plus four floating holidays; tax-season blackout dates apply
• Vacation: fifteen vacation days per calendar year, prorated based on official start date; subject to firm calendar and busy-season blackout periods
• Paid sick and safe time: accrual begins on the first day of employment
  • Minimum standard: Seattle paid sick and safe time requirements; additional protection applies as required by the employee’s work location
• Volunteer time: two paid volunteer days
• Professional development: continuing education and growth opportunities, including reimbursement for approved certification, licensing, professional membership, and destination CPE expenses within firm policy
• Optional cell-phone coverage: participation in the firm’s Verizon plan may be available under current cell-phone policy; device purchase is not subsidized or reimbursed
• Personal tax support: employees may use firm software to prepare their personal income tax returns and may request reasonable tax guidance from the firm’s principals at no charge, subject to firm policy
• Equipment: firm provides the computer and standard technology equipment needed for the role (monitors, keyboard, mouse, headset, and related accessories)

Location & Work Conditions

• Remote work within approved U.S. work locations
• Remote work location changes or regular work from another state or locality require advance approval
• Working hours: dependable availability for Pacific Time collaboration, client needs, training, and scheduled team meetings; heaviest filing-deadline stretches may require 55+ hours
• Travel may be requested for quarterly all-hands meetings and occasional destination CPE; travel is fully reimbursed in accordance with firm travel and expense policies

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process for applicants who require them.

Application Notes (How to Apply)

Applicants will be considered in the following order:

• Introductory video: a thoughtful 30-second to 3-minute introductory video
• Thoughtful cover letter
• Standard application (without video or cover letter)

Additional Application Guidance

After applying, a respectful message that is human, specific, and concise may help communicate interest and communication style.