Senior Tax Accountant

Career Legal; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with firm match

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Flexible and hybrid work arrangements

Annual CPE allowance and paid dues/exa

Support for exam

Job summary

Career Legal in Columbia, SC is seeking a Senior Tax Accountant to join our tax team. You will prepare and review complex returns, research technical tax issues, and mentor staff toward a Manager role.

This role offers a hybrid schedule with opportunities for advancement and client advisory work across diverse industries, including multi-state taxation and planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or Master's in accounting/taxation.
• 2–5 years of public accounting tax experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal income tax law and pass-through entity taxation.
• Proficiency with tax software and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review federal and South Carolina returns for individuals, partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, trusts/estates, and exempt organizations.
• Review staff work and provide constructive feedback.
• Research and document technical tax issues in memos.

Skills

Federal tax law

Pass-through taxation

Excel proficiency

Tax research

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Master's in accounting or taxation

Tools

CCH Axcess

Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS

GoSystem

Lacerte

Job description

We are seeking an experienced tax professional to join our tax team as a Senior Tax Accountant. In this role you will prepare and review complex returns, research technical tax issues, and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients. You will also supervise and develop staff and prepare for advancement toward a Manager role.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and review federal and South Carolina returns for individuals (Form 1040), partnerships (1065), S corporations (1120-S), C corporations (1120), trusts and estates (1041), and exempt organizations (990)
• Review work prepared by staff and interns, providing clear, constructive feedback
• Research and resolve technical tax questions and document conclusions in memos
• Prepare tax provisions, estimated payments, extensions, and multi-state/nexus analyses
• Assist clients with tax planning, entity structuring, and year-round advisory needs
• Respond to IRS and South Carolina Department of Revenue notices and support audits
• Communicate directly with clients to gather information, explain results, and build relationships
• Manage a portfolio of engagements, meeting budgets and deadlines during busy season and throughout the year
• Mentor and train junior team members
• Stay current on tax law changes and share updates with the team
• Contribute to firm initiatives, business development, and community involvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, or a master's in accounting or taxation
• 2–5 years of public accounting tax experience
• Strong knowledge of federal income tax law and pass-through entity taxation
• Proficiency with tax preparation software (e.g., CCH Axcess, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS, GoSystem, or Lacerte) and Microsoft Excel
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Taxation or Master of Accountancy
• Experience with South Carolina and multi-state taxation
• Experience in real estate, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or nonprofit industries
• Experience with partnership allocations, basis calculations, and business transactions
• Prior experience reviewing returns and supervising staff

Skills and Attributes

• Detail-oriented with sound professional judgment
• Curious, analytical, and comfortable with technical research (RIA Checkpoint, CCH, Bloomberg Tax)
• Collaborative team player with a client-service mindset
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Commitment to ethics and professional standards

Compensation and Benefits

• Performance-based bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with firm match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements, with a seasonal busy-season schedule
• Annual CPE allowance and paid professional dues and exam support
• Clear path to Tax Manager and Partner

This position is based in our Columbia, SC office with hybrid flexibility. Extended hours are expected during tax season (roughly January through April and again before the October extension deadline), balanced by a lighter schedule in the off-season.