Associate Accountant

Job Summary:

The Associate Accountant will provide a full range of tax and consultation services to our client base. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May be involved in reviewing payroll and information returns prepared by Client Service staff.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Act as income tax preparer for basic & moderately complex corporate, partnership, trust, and individual income tax returns. 
• Gain familiarity (CPE, independent reading) with common accounting and tax concepts.
• Preparing compiled and prepared financial statements.
• Will assist co-workers in more complex engagements for estate planning, business management and consultations as needed.
• Provides direct client contact for aiding with the preparation of financial statements, bank reconciliations, and payroll processing. 
• Knowledge of the preparation of payroll, payroll tax deposits, and related returns. 
• complete work timely and accurately.
• Manage the due dates of projects you are given to ensure client and other deadlines are always met.
• Devote time not spent on client work or internal projects to technical development (read, share at staff meetings, develop niche interests, study for CPA exam).
• Keep regular office hours so you are accessible for in-charges to train and pass work to you.
• Learn as much as possible independently and from co-workers to develop your technical skills.
• Develop good communication and relationships with co-workers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Basic knowledge of tax concepts and compliance.
• Ability to research basic and moderately complex taxation issues.
• General understanding of payroll taxation and compliance requirements.
• General understanding of and ability to adhere to generally accepted accounting principles.
• General understanding of tax and cash basis financial statement concepts.
• Proficient with accounting software; master firm software & Quickbooks.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Quickbooks, and other commonly used software.

Education and Experience:

• B.A. or B.S. or AA degree in Accounting required.
• 0 to 3 years of experience in public accounting.
• Interested in corporate, partnership, and individual taxation.

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

Goals to meet for promotion:

• Ability to meet with and prepare less complex individual returns (W-2, Sch E).
• Ability to complete moderately complex work with your in-charge for mid-sized business and individual clients independently.
• Ability to adapt to different client’s systems of accounting and records to prepare trial balances and adjust accounts.
• Good working knowledge of Quickbooks and ability to assist clients in basic questions related to payroll, accounting, or setting up new files.
• Ability to complete work efficiently (meeting firm average discount rates).
• Ability to consistently meet your monthly budgets and annual billable hour budgets.
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines of client and internal projects assigned to you without follow-up from your in-charge.
• Understanding and ability to apply basic accounting and tax concepts.