Senior Trusts & Estates Tax Paralegal

Overview

This position supports estate administration and fiduciary tax matters by assisting attorneys with the administration of estates and post-death trust funding. The role includes client case management, trust and estate accounting, and preparation of estate-related tax filings.

The position is open in multiple offices, with preferred locations in St. Louis, Missouri or Phoenix, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Assist with full-range estate administration matters.
• Prepare various tax returns, including Estate Tax Returns and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
• Maintain financial records for trusts; perform trust accounting and audit accounts.
• Maintain general ledger (G/L) accounts, reconcile broker statements, prepare payables, and prepare bank deposits.
• Obtain and reconcile 1099 and K-1 statements.
• Support irrevocable trust funding and administration (post death).
• Support probate administration, including drafting of probate pleadings.
• Maintain close personal contact with clients and financial advisors.
• Learn and develop technical proficiency in database use and management; internet/electronic research; and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to appropriate business professionals and supervise work.
• Meet an annual billable hour requirement of 1600 hours.
• Familiarity with adopting legal AI and ability to learn and implement new AI preferred.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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

Position Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Trusts & Estates, including complex estate and trust administration, as well as estate and fiduciary tax matters.
• Two-year degree required. Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from 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.
• 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.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally and provide exceptional service internally and externally at all times.
• Highly organized; able to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and ongoing deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

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

• 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 of 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 are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience.

Location

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

Additional Information

• Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.
• Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) / Minority / Female / Disabled / Vet. Principal Applicants Only.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary for individuals with disabilities to apply for and/or perform essential job functions.