Staff Accountant

Aston Carter; Iowa; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with employer match

Health and life insurance options

Paid time off

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Staff Tax Accountant in Cedar Rapids, IA to deliver high-quality tax and accounting services. You will focus on tax planning and preparation, payroll processing, and financial statement support within a collaborative team environment.

The role emphasizes client communication, professional development, and strong culture. QuickBooks and CCH Axcess are used to manage client data and filings as the firm grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting is required.
• 2+ years of tax experience in public accounting or internship.
• Experience in tax preparation for business and personal returns.
• Understanding of financial statement prep and basic reporting.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks for accounting tasks.
• Ability to research and resolve complex tax issues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review business and personal income tax returns with accuracy.
• Assist in preparation and analysis of financial statements and reports.
• Conduct tax research to support planning strategies.
• Participate in tax planning for individuals and businesses to optimize outcomes.
• Consult with clients on financial and tax matters with clear explanations.
• Process payroll and payroll tax filings accurately and timely.
• Maintain organized client files and documentation.
• Support client relationships with responsive service.
• Collaborate with team to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Use tax and accounting software to input, manage, analyze data.
• Continuously develop knowledge of tax laws and best practices.

Skills

Tax experience

Strong organizational skills

Clear communication

Independent and collaborative work

Client-focused mindset

Problem solving

Research tax issues

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

QuickBooks

CCH Axcess

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Staff Tax Accountant

Job Description

The Staff Accountant plays a key role in delivering high-quality tax and accounting services, with a primary focus on tax planning and preparation, payroll processing and tax filings, financial statement preparation, and managing financial data. This role requires a highly organized professional who enjoys solving problems, communicates clearly with colleagues and clients, and consistently strives to go above and beyond. The position offers the opportunity to work in a growing practice with strong emphasis on culture, flexibility, and long-term career advancement.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review business and personal income tax returns with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Assist in the preparation and analysis of financial statements and related financial reports.
• Conduct tax research to identify answers to complex tax issues and support tax planning strategies.
• Participate in tax planning for individuals and businesses to optimize tax outcomes in compliance with regulations.
• Consult with clients on financial and tax matters, providing clear explanations and practical recommendations.
• Process payroll and complete related payroll tax filings in an accurate and timely manner.
• Manage and maintain organized, up-to-date client files and supporting documentation.
• Support the client relationship by delivering responsive, professional service and building trust over time.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across tax and accounting engagements.
• Use accounting and tax software tools to input, manage, and analyze financial data efficiently.
• Continuously develop knowledge of tax laws, regulations, and best practices to improve service quality.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• 2 or more years of tax experience in public accounting, or a degree with relevant internship experience.
• Demonstrated experience in tax preparation, including business and personal tax returns.
• Strong understanding of financial statement preparation and basic financial reporting.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks for accounting and bookkeeping tasks.
• Ability to research and resolve complex tax issues using appropriate resources.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple clients and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to interact with peers and clients.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team environment.
• Commitment to high-quality work and a client-focused mindset.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Payroll processing experience, including payroll tax filings, preferred.
• Bookkeeping experience, including managing day-to-day financial records, preferred.
• Experience with CCH Axcess tax software preferred.
• Prior experience in a public accounting environment supporting multiple clients.
• Ability to build and maintain trusting, long-term client relationships.
• Comfort working in a growing firm with evolving processes and opportunities for advancement.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to take initiative in finding solutions.
• Interest in ongoing professional development in tax and accounting.

Work Environment

The role is part of a close-knit tax team of approximately eight professionals, offering a collaborative environment where team members support one another and share knowledge. New hires receive hands‑on training and mentorship from experienced colleagues to help them integrate into the team and learn firm‑specific processes and systems. The organization places a strong emphasis on a positive culture and provides flexibility to support work–life balance, particularly outside of peak tax season. The firm is growing, creating meaningful opportunities for advancement and professional development. Team members use modern tax and accounting software, including QuickBooks and CCH Axcess (where applicable), and work in a professional office setting focused on delivering high‑quality tax, payroll, and accounting services. Benefits available upon direct hire include a 401(k) plan with employer match, health and life insurance options, and paid time off.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.64 - $28.85/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to cha