Senior Accountant – Tax and Partner Finance

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (US) LLP; United States; On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in New York is seeking a Tax Accountant to work with Head of Finance and external advisors to ensure timely compliance and identify process improvement opportunities. The role covers federal/state/local tax filings, partnership tax reporting, quarterly payments, tax provisions, and planning.

A CPA (or progress) and 4–7 years tax experience in professional services or law firm is preferred; strong Excel skills required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 4 to 7 years tax experience in a law firm, professional services firm, public accounting firm, or corporate tax department.
• Strong knowledge of US federal and state tax regulations, including PTET elections.
• Experience preparing or reviewing partnership tax returns.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• CPA licence or active progress toward CPA certification.

Responsibilities

• Prepare federal, state, and local tax filings for the firm and related entities.
• Assist with partnership tax reporting, including Schedule K-1 preparation and review.
• Coordinate quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax filings.
• Monitor tax filing calendars and ensure timely submission of all tax returns.
• Support sales, use, and other indirect tax compliance requirements.
• Prepare tax provisions in accordance with US GAAP.
• Revenue sourcing and apportionment work.
• Assist with tax planning initiatives and advisory projects.
• Oversee US partner tax reserve balances.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close related to tax matters.
• Audit and regulatory support with IRS/state examinations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel skills

Communication

US tax knowledge

Accruals accounting

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

Elite

3E

Aderant

SAP

Job description

Key responsibilities

The Tax Accountant will work closely with the Head of Finance, external advisors, and firm stakeholders to ensure timely compliance with all tax obligations while identifying opportunities for process improvement and risk mitigation.

• Tax Compliance
• Prepare and review federal, state, and local tax filings for the firm and related entities.
• Assist with partnership tax reporting, including Schedule K-1 preparation and review, and distribution to partgners,
• Coordinate quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax filings.
• Monitor tax filing calendars and ensure timely submission of all tax returns and related documentation.
• Support sales and use tax, business license tax, franchise tax, and other indirect tax compliance requirements.
• Partner fringe benefits Tax Reporting and Provision
• PTET/state composite election forms
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly and annual tax provisions in accordance with US GAAP. [do they do this at the US LLP?]
• Revenue sourcing and apportionment
• Reconcile tax accounts and maintain supporting schedules.
• Prepare tax-related journal entries and account analyses.
• Prepare schedules to support tax filings including partner data, allocations and capital accounts.
• Assist in overseeing US partner tax reserve balances.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes as they relate to tax matters.
• Tax Planning and Advisory
• Research federal, state, and local tax issues affecting the firm.
• Analyse the impact of new tax legislation and regulatory changes.
• Assist with tax planning initiatives and structuring projects.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders regarding tax treatment of transactions and business initiatives.
• Audit and Regulatory Support
• Support IRS, state, and local tax examinations and inquiries.
• Coordinate the collection and preparation of documentation required for audits.
• Work with external tax advisors and consultants on compliance and planning matters.
• Process Improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve tax processes, controls, and efficiencies.
• Maintain tax documentation, policies, and procedures.
• Assist with implementation and optimisation of tax and finance systems.

Qualifications, skills and experience Required

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Familiarity with accruals and cash basis of accounting
• 4 to 7 years of tax experience in a law firm, professional services firm, public accounting firm, or corporate tax department.
• Strong knowledge of US federal and state tax regulations, including PTET elections.
• Experience preparing or reviewing partnership tax returns.
• Familiarity with accruals basis accounting
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• CPA licence or active progress toward CPA certification.
• Experience within a law firm or partnership-based professional services organisation.
• Familiarity with multi-state taxation and state nexus requirements.
• Experience with tax research and compliance software.
• Understanding of US tax implications in a global organization.
• Knowledge of accounting systems such as Elite, 3E, Aderant, SAP, or similar platforms.

Behavioural Competencies

• Enjoys working as part of a team in a forever changing environment
• Enjoys being challenged and contributing with innovative ideas
• Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent communication skills
• Deadline focused and able to deliver within tight deadlines
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and meet deadlines
• Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills are essential
• Promotes a collegiate environment, good team morale and a spirit of cooperation
• Inspire a learning and progressive environment through leading by example
• Ability to establish professional credibility
• Ability to use initiative and be pro-active; with a positive approach to ensuring the demands of the department are met
• Able to work in a challenging environment
• Enjoys working in a fast moving and changing environment

The Team

The HSF Kramer finance team works closely with management, practice groups, partners, and international and local business services teams to assist the business in driving its strategy, profitability, cash flow and growth. Business finance safeguards the integrity of the firm's finances and plays a key role in mitigating financial and business risks such as foreign currency risk. The team provides robust financial information internally and externally to enable decision making, effective operations and to help the firm meet its client and statutory requirements. As a member of the finance team, you will play a critical role in the firm's success.

Salary Range - $125,000–$145,000

Team Business Finance

Working Pattern Full time

Location New York

Contract type Permanent Contract

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is an equal opportunity employer. The firm is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. The firm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical handicap or disability, age, citizenship status, alienage, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other criteria prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity. We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.