Staff Accountant – Tax & Client Accounting Services

Express Employment Professionals Tysons, VA; Burke (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals Tysons, VA is partnering with a small CPA firm in Burke, VA to hire a Staff Accountant. This role offers a balanced mix of tax work and client accounting, ideal for early-career professionals seeking hands-on experience in federal and state returns and ongoing bookkeeping.

You will work with seasoned accountants in a close-knit team, gain exposure to individuals and small businesses, and develop a well-rounded skill set across tax preparation and general

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Some exposure to a tax season in a public accounting environment.
• Foundational knowledge of accounting principles and financial statements.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and comfort working with financial data.
• Strong attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Clear communication skills and a professional, client-focused attitude.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of federal and state tax returns for individuals and business entities.
• Gather, organize, and review client financial information and supporting documentation.
• Assist with tax-related research, client questions, and correspondence as needed.
• Support tax planning and other client advisory activities as you develop your skills.
• Help ensure client deliverables are accurate, organized, and completed within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate financial records for a portfolio of small-business clients.
• Record and categorize transactions, reconcile bank and credit card accounts, and maintain general ledgers.
• Assist with monthly and quarterly bookkeeping and financial reporting.
• Review financial information for accuracy, identify discrepancies, and follow up on outstanding items.
• Help keep client accounts organized and up to date throughout the year.
• Communicate with clients to obtain financial information and resolve routine questions.
• Manage multiple client assignments and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Work collaboratively with the firm's team to keep engagements moving efficiently.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Some exposure to tax season in a public accounting environment

Foundational knowledge of accounting principles and financial statements

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and comfort working with financial data

Strong attention to detail and proactive problem-solving

Clear communication and a professional, client-focused attitude

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are partnering with a well-established, small CPA firm in Burke, VA, seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Staff Accountant to join its close-knit team. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accounting professional who enjoys variety and wants to build a strong foundation in both tax preparation and client accounting.

This role offers a roughly 50/50 mix of individual and business tax work and ongoing bookkeeping and accounting support for clients. The ideal candidate has an accounting or finance degree, some exposure to a public accounting tax season, and the organizational skills and initiative to manage multiple priorities in a small-firm environment.

You’ll work directly with experienced accounting professionals, gain hands-on exposure to a variety of clients, and develop skills across both tax and general accounting rather than being limited to one narrow function.

Please note: Candidates must currently reside in the Greater DC metropolitan area. Out-of-state applications will not be considered.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assist with the preparation of federal and state tax returns for individuals and business entities.
• Gather, organize, and review client financial information and supporting documentation.
• Assist with tax-related research, client questions, and correspondence as needed.
• Support tax planning and other client advisory activities as you develop your skills.
• Help ensure client deliverables are accurate, organized, and completed within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate financial records for a portfolio of small-business clients.
• Record and categorize transactions, reconcile bank and credit card accounts, and maintain general ledgers.
• Assist with monthly and quarterly bookkeeping and financial reporting.
• Review financial information for accuracy, identify discrepancies, and follow up on outstanding items.
• Help keep client accounts organized and up to date throughout the year.

Tax Preparation & Support

• Assist with the preparation of federal and state tax returns for individuals and business entities.
• Gather, organize, and review client financial information and supporting documentation.
• Assist with tax-related research, client questions, and correspondence as needed.
• Support tax planning and other client advisory activities as you develop your skills.
• Help ensure client deliverables are accurate, organized, and completed within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate financial records for a portfolio of small-business clients.
• Record and categorize transactions, reconcile bank and credit card accounts, and maintain general ledgers.
• Assist with monthly and quarterly bookkeeping and financial reporting.
• Review financial information for accuracy, identify discrepancies, and follow up on outstanding items.
• Help keep client accounts organized and up to date throughout the year.

Client & Administrative Support

• Communicate with clients to obtain financial information and resolve routine questions.
• Manage multiple client assignments and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Work collaboratively with the firm's team to keep engagements moving efficiently.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Some exposure to a tax season in a public accounting environment through an internship, seasonal position, or full-time employment.
• Foundational knowledge of accounting principles and financial statements.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and comfort working with financial data.
• Strong attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Clear communication skills and a professional, client-focused attitude.

Nice to Have

• Experience with bookkeeping, account reconciliations, or general ledger maintenance.
• Familiarity with tax preparation or accounting software.
• Progress toward the CPA designation or an interest in pursuing it.

Key Traits for Success

• Organized and dependable, with strong follow-through.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with a desire to understand the numbers rather than simply enter data.
• Adaptable and comfortable switching between tax assignments, bookkeeping tasks, and client requests.
• A team player who is willing to pitch in wherever needed.
• Comfortable working in a small-firm environment where collaboration, initiative, and accountability matter.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Variety in your work: Build experience in both tax preparation and client accounting.
• Direct mentorship: Work closely with experienced professionals in a small, collaborative firm.
• Broad client exposure: Gain experience supporting individuals and small businesses across multiple accounting needs.
• Room to grow: Develop a well-rounded accounting skill set with opportunities to take on greater responsibility over time.
• A close-knit environment: Join a small team where your contributions are visible and your work makes a difference.