Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and fiduciary tax matters by assisting attorneys in managing estates and trusts, preparing documents, and handling related client case management.

The role is open in any of the organization’s offices, with preferred locations in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a full range of estate administration matters, including:
  • Funding post-death irrevocable trusts
  • Preparing documents
  • Preparing probate and filing estate-related tax returns
  • Client case management
• Prepare various tax returns, including:
  • Estate Tax Returns
  • Fiduciary Income Tax Returns
• Maintain financial records of trusts, including:
  • Trust accounting
  • Auditing accounts
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, including:
  • Reconciling broker statements
  • Preparing payables and bank deposits
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements
• Assist with irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death)
• Support probate administration, including drafting probate pleadings
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors
• Learn and develop technical proficiency in:
  • Database use and management
  • Internet/electronic research
  • Project folder/electronic file maintenance
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise as needed
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and quality of work
• Meet annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Ability to deliver superior service to internal and external customers
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required
• Ability to perform position requirements with strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to changing business demands
• Ability to produce accurate work efficiently and deliver quality final work product

Position-Specific Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including:
  • Complex estate and trust administration
  • Estate and fiduciary tax matters
• Two-year degree required
  • Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program preferred
  • Significant, substantive related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Proven success working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment
• Strong ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with tax and trust accounting software
• Experience with document database programs and/or software
• Significant client case management experience
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Highly organized, able to prioritize workflow and manage projects
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision within established time limits and ongoing deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI; ability to learn and implement new AI preferred

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with skill and experience. Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. Expected compensation ranges by jurisdiction are:

• State of California: $88,000 - $180,000
• Cleveland, Ohio: $85,000 - $125,000
• Columbus, Ohio: $82,000 - $121,000
• State of Colorado: $82,000 - $145,000
• State of Connecticut: $70,000 - $178,000
• State of Illinois: $80,000 - $155,000
• State of Maine: $60,000 - $139,000
• State of Maryland: $86,000 - $130,000
• State Massachusetts: $88,000 - $169,000
• State of Minnesota: $88,000 - $146,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $96,000 - $174,000
• State of New York: $82,000 - $178,000
• State of Virginia: $57,000 - $168,000
• State of Vermont: $87,000 - $168,000
• State of Washington: $86,000 - $164,000
• Washington, DC: $114,000 - $168,000

Employees may request reasonable accommodations to apply for and/or perform essential functions.

Location

Open to offices across the United States. Preferred locations: St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Application Requirements

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

Equal Opportunity

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal applicants only.