Client Accounting Services (CAS) Experienced Professional

Harper Rains Knight & Company; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper Rains Knight & Company seeks an experienced CAS accounting professional to deliver full-cycle accounting, payroll tax filings, and financial reporting for a diverse client portfolio.

The role requires strong GAAP knowledge, client communication skills, and hands-on payroll tax experience with IRS/state authorities. Proficiency in QuickBooks Online and Excel is essential; multistate payroll exposure is a plus.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in accounting or related field required; bachelor’s preferred.
• Five+ years of progressive accounting experience in CAS/public accounting.
• Experience with payroll tax filings and IRS/state/local authorities.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online; Excel and MS Office skills.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle accounting activities for assigned clients.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare, review, and reconcile payroll tax filings.
• Research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies and penalties.
• Communicate with IRS and tax authorities to resolve issues.
• Assist with payroll tax registrations and multistate filings.
• Reconcile payroll, tax filings, GL accounts, and liabilities.
• Perform variance analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen accounting processes and controls.
• Maintain organized workpapers and documentation.
• Regularly communicate financial results and deadlines to clients.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and tax professionals.
• Support income tax preparation and compliance as needed.
• Manage multiple client engagements and deadlines with accuracy.

Skills

Full-cycle accounting

GAAP knowledge

Payroll tax filings

Client communication

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Multistate payroll

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Education

Associate degree in accounting

Bachelor's degree in accounting (preferred)

Tools

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking a well-rounded and experienced accounting professional to join our Client Accounting Services (CAS) team. This position is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and responsive accounting services to a diverse portfolio of clients.

The ideal candidate has strong full-cycle accounting experience, advanced knowledge of general ledger and financial reporting processes, and hands‑on experience managing payroll tax filings and resolving complex payroll tax matters. The ability to communicate effectively with clients and work directly with federal, state, and local taxing authorities is essential. Experience with income tax preparation or compliance is a plus. This job has the potential to be fully on site, fully remote or hybrid.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage full‑cycle accounting activities for assigned clients, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation, adjusting entries, and financial statement preparation.
• Prepare and review accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead month‑end and year‑end closing processes, ensuring all transactions are properly recorded and supported.
• Prepare, review, and reconcile federal, state, and local payroll tax filings.
• Research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, late or missing filings, payment application issues, penalties, notices, and other compliance matters.
• Communicate directly with the IRS and state and local agencies to resolve client payroll tax issues.
• Assist clients with payroll tax registrations, account closures, amended returns, and multistate filing requirements.
• Reconcile payroll reports, tax filings, general ledger accounts, and related liability balances.
• Perform variance analysis, investigate discrepancies, and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen clients’ accounting processes, internal controls, and financial reporting practices.
• Maintain organized and complete workpapers and supporting documentation.
• Communicate with clients regularly regarding financial results, outstanding items, compliance deadlines, and recommended actions.
• Coordinate with payroll providers, tax professionals, and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate and consistent financial information.
• Support income tax preparation and compliance activities, as experience permits.
• Manage multiple client engagements and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and service.
  

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably in a public accounting, outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, or Client Accounting Services environment.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and full‑cycle accounting processes.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and reconciling payroll tax returns and resolving payroll tax notices or compliance issues.
• Experience communicating and working with the IRS and state and local taxing authorities.
• Proficiency with Intuit QuickBooks Online; experience with QuickBooks Desktop is also preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, research, reconciliation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, timely work.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain accounting and compliance matters clearly to clients.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated discretion when handling confidential financial, payroll, and taxpayer information.
• Ability to adapt to new accounting systems, payroll platforms, and other technology.

Education and Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in accounting or a related field required; bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience with individual or business income tax preparation and compliance is a plus.
• Experience supporting clients with multistate payroll tax obligations is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications or credentials are valued but not required.
• U.S. citizenship may be required for assignments involving contracts with security‑clearance or citizenship requirements.

In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired must verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire. Certain client contracts or assignments may require U.S. citizenship or eligibility to obtain a security clearance.