M&A Tax Advisory, Senior Associate

Elliott Davis; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time away and paid holidays

Flexible work schedules

Paid maternity and parental leave

First-class health and wellness benefits

Job summary

Elliott Davis in Columbia, South Carolina, is seeking a TSO Associate/Senior Associate to join their M&A tax team. This role involves conducting buy-side and sell-side tax due diligence, preparing reports, and collaborating with team members. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, along with 2-4 years of relevant experience. The position offers generous benefits including flexible schedules and health care options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in accounting or finance required.
• Two to four years of tax due diligence experience at public accounting or Big 4.
• Strong understanding of U.S. federal and state income tax principles applicable to M&A transactions.

Responsibilities

• Assist with tax due diligence for M&A transactions.
• Prepare tax due diligence reports outlining key findings.
• Lead sections of tax due diligence meetings with target management.

Skills

Tax due diligence experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Masters in Taxation or JD in tax

Tools

Tax research tools

Job description

TSO Associate/Senior Associate

The TSO Associate/Senior Associate will be a key member of our fast‑growing M&A tax team that is dedicated to support buy‑side and sell‑side tax due diligence engagements for private equity groups, corporations, partnerships, and privately held businesses. The TSO Associate/Senior Associate will play a key role in due diligence meetings with target management. In addition, the individual will have the opportunity to assist with tax structuring engagements—such as step up calculations, Section 382 limitation calculations, transaction step plans, and other tax modeling exercises tailored to meet client needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist with buy‑side and sell‑side tax due diligence for M&A transactions including analyzing historical tax filings, workpapers, and financial statements, and identifying and quantifying tax exposures related to income, sales/use, payroll, property, and unclaimed property.
• Prepare call agendas for tax due diligence meetings with target management.
• Assist in assessing tax attributes, including NOLs and credits, including any limitations under Section 382/383.
• Prepare tax due diligence reports and executive summaries outlining key findings, risks, and structuring considerations in a clear, concise and articulate manner.
• Conduct focused tax research on technical issues and transaction‑specific fact patterns.
• Lead and assist sections of tax due diligence meetings with target management.
• Collaborate with other Elliott Davis team members, including FDD and tax subject‑matter specialists.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in accounting or finance required.
• Masters in Taxation, or JD in tax and/or LLM preferred.
• Two to four years of tax due diligence experience at public accounting, Big 4, advisory firm, or comparable environment.
• Strong understanding of U.S. federal and state income tax principles applicable to M&A transactions.
• Experience reviewing tax returns, financial statements, and supporting schedules.
• Strong analytical, organization, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and common tax research tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, JD, or progress toward certification.

Professional Attributes

• Detail‑oriented with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset with strong client‑service orientation.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, deal‑driven environment.
• Willingness to learn and take increasing responsibility over time.

Benefits

• Generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Flexible work schedules.
• 16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, 4 weeks of paid and caregiver leave (once eligible).
• First‑class health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counseling.
• One‑on‑one professional coaching.
• Leadership and career development programs.
• Access to Beyond: a one‑of‑a‑kind program with experiences that help you expand your life, personally and professionally.

ADA Requirements

The physical and cognitive/mental requirements and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to remain in a stationary position; use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and to talk or hear, both in person and by telephone.
• Required to have specific vision abilities which include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Cognitive/Mental Requirements

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents.
• Observe and interpret situations.
• Work under deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Interact with internal and external customers and others in the course of work.