Staff Accountant - Tax

Summary

The staff accountant is given a wide variety of diversified accounting and tax assignments under the supervision of different professionals. Performance is judged based on the quality of work, application of accounting knowledge, and ability to meet time constraints.

Essential Functions

• Becomes familiar with the firm's policies and procedures
• Effectively communicates with client to receive information necessary to complete the engagement with a minimum of disruption to client.
• Understands the rules, regulations, and Code of Professional Conduct of the AICPA.
• Attends and participates in professional education including in-house group meetings and participates in professionally sponsored training sessions.
• Progresses professionally by working toward passing the CPA exam as soon as possible.
• Performs other accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting duties as needed in engagements an as assigned by supervisory personnel.
• May be required to perform all phases of an engagement, including report writing and tax return preparation.
• Expected to red professional journals and to remain current in their knowledge of recent developments and authorized pronouncements in their practice areas.
• May train other staff accountants.
• Contributes to client service team by producing quality work, quick turnaround, and attentive service.
• Assists with recruiting new staff by maintaining university contacts and participating in on-campus and office visits.
• Performs services within budgeted time by developing technical, time management, and organizational skills.
• Develops sound working relationships with administrative personnel, peers, and supervisors to foster teamwork.
• If assigned primarily to financial statement engagements:
  • Becomes familiar with pronouncements of the FASB, AICPA, and when assigned to governmental engagements, the GAO and GASB.
  • Becomes proficient at preparing financial statements using the firm's software programs.
  • Expected to provide ideas to improve client's systems and operation during the engagement.
  • Involved in the engagement planning process.
• If assigned primarily to tax engagements
  • Becomes familiar with pertinent IRC sections and regulations
  • Obtains a working knowledge of research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library.
  • Becomes proficient in the preparation of corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary, and other tax returns prepared by the firm.
  • Assumes responsibility for the completion of tax returns under the supervision of more experienced staff.
  • Prepares tax returns using the firm's software programs.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

• Dedicated individual that values integrity, quality, and professionalism.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or master's degree in accounting
• Minimum of 40 hours of continuing professional education is required each year.
• Proficiency in use of computers and computer accounting / tax software programs.
• Well-rounded knowledge of accounting principles and personal income taxes.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English.
• Either holds a current and valid certified public accountant's license or is working toward obtaining the license by taking and passing the applicable state CPA exam.