Senior Tax Associate

Distinct | North America; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Collaborative environment

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

A leading tax services provider in California is looking for a Tax Associate with 3-5 years of public accounting experience. You'll play a key role in preparing federal and multi-state returns across various entities, supporting provision and audit interactions, while working in a flexible hybrid environment. The firm prioritizes team development and offers a competitive salary range of $85,000 – $105,000. A CPA license or relevant Master’s is preferred, alongside strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of public accounting tax experience required.
• Experience with various entity types and compliance requirements is necessary.
• Strong understanding of workpapers and book-to-tax adjustments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare federal and multi-state tax returns for different entities.
• Support provision and audit interactions.
• Develop junior staff as part of team dynamics.

Skills

Public accounting tax experience

Preparation of federal and multi-state returns

Communication skills

Ability to develop others

Education

CPA or pursuing CPA

Master's in Tax

Job description

Most firms think experience is measured in years.

Three years. Five years. Tick the box, move on.

But in tax, experience is really about exposure, the kind that teaches you not just what to do, but why it matters.

This firm has built its tax team around that idea. Less hierarchy for the sake of it, more responsibility where it counts. You won’t just prepare returns, you’ll understand them, question them, and improve them.

The work itself is broad and properly technical. Corporations, partnerships, individuals, trusts across federal and multi-state filings. You’ll be involved in everything from identifying book-to-tax adjustments to supporting provisions and working alongside auditors.

And importantly, you won’t be doing it in isolation. You’ll be part of a team where developing junior staff is expected, not as an extra task, but as part of how the place actually functions.

Busy season still exists. But it’s approached with planning, not panic.

Why this role is worth considering:

• Hybrid working, flexibility without losing the benefits of collaboration.
• $85,000 – $105,000 depending on experience.
• Exposure to a wide range of entities: individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, and estates.
• Direct involvement in provision support and audit interaction.
• A firm where progression comes from understanding the work, not just surviving it.

What they’re looking for:

• 3–5 years of public accounting tax experience.
• Experience preparing federal and multi-state returns across various entity types.
• Strong understanding of workpapers, book-to-tax adjustments, and compliance requirements.
• CPA or actively pursuing (Master’s in Tax is a plus).
• Someone who can think clearly, communicate well, and help develop others.

The best tax environments don’t just give you more work.

They give you better problems to solve.

If you’d like to know more about this position, just hit the apply button and I’ll be in touch. If you’re just browsing the job boards and haven’t dusted off that resume yet, that’s not a problem, you can give me a call first. You’ll find my number on LinkedIn (Jamie Egglenton at Distinct North America). If you prefer, you could drop me a connection or message on LinkedIn and we can pick up on there.

If you’ve reviewed this advert and you’re unsure whether to apply because you don’t have all the required experience, we still encourage you to hit that apply button. We support the CPA firms we partner with in building diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces, so even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly, please do still apply. If this position isn’t quite right, it’s highly likely we’ll have other Public Accounting positions that could be a good fit for you.