Tax Accountant (Australian Public Practice)

Remote; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 58,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Remote is seeking a Tax Accountant to prepare tax compliance work, financial statements, and advisory support for Australian clients. You will work with Australian-based accountants and client managers, bringing strong knowledge of Australian taxation, trust structures, Div 7A, CGT, and small business concessions.

The role emphasizes accurate workpapers, client engagement support, and collaboration within a structured public practice environment. 3–5 years of relevant experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• CA ANZ or CPA Australia qualification, or near completion.
• 3–5 years in Australian public practice accounting.
• Experience preparing tax returns for various entity types.
• Knowledge of discretionary trusts, family group structures, SME taxation.
• Familiarity with Div 7A, CGT, trust distributions, and small business concessions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare income tax returns for individuals, trusts, companies, partnerships, and family group structures.
• Prepare trust distribution minutes and resolutions.
• Assist with Div 7A loan calculations and compliance.
• Prepare BAS, IAS, and GST workpapers; assist with payroll tax and land tax where required.
• Support with FBT, STP reconciliations, PAYG, and ASIC reviews.
• Prepare tax planning workpapers and year-end schedules.
• Review and support work by junior team members.
• Maintain accurate workpapers and documentation; ensure quality controls.

Skills

Tax compliance

Tax advisory

Client communication

Documentation

Time management

Education

CA ANZ or CPA Australia

Tools

Xero

CCH iFirm

HandiSoft

APS

Xero Practice Manager

Karbon

ATO Online Services for Agents

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a growing Australian accounting and advisory firm that specialises in supporting small to medium-sized businesses, family groups, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm provides tax compliance, business advisory, and accounting services, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality outcomes through a collaborative onshore and offshore team model.

Job Overview

The Tax Accountant will be responsible for preparing tax compliance work, financial statements, and advisory support documentation for Australian family groups and SME clients. Working closely with Australian-based accountants and client managers, this role requires strong technical knowledge of Australian taxation, trust structures, Div 7A, CGT, and small business concessions. The successful candidate will produce review-ready workpapers, maintain high levels of accuracy, and support multiple client engagements within a structured public practice environment.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Compliance

• Prepare income tax returns for individuals, trusts, companies, partnerships, and family group structures.

• Prepare annual trust distribution minutes and resolutions.

• Assist with Div 7A loan calculations, agreements, and compliance requirements.

• Prepare BAS, IAS, and GST workpapers.

• Support FBT return preparation and compliance reporting.

• Assist with STP reconciliations, PAYG withholding, and payroll-related tax compliance.

• Prepare payroll tax and land tax compliance workpapers where required.

• Support ASIC annual review requirements and company register maintenance.

Tax Advisory Support

• Prepare tax planning workpapers and year-end planning schedules.

• Assist with trust distribution modelling and income allocation analysis.

• Support CGT calculations, cost base adjustments, and concession assessments.

• Prepare workpapers relating to small business concessions and restructuring transactions.

• Identify potential tax risks and technical issues for review by senior accountants.

• Assist with Div 7A, UPE, and trust compliance reviews.

Client & Team Support

• Work closely with Australian accountants, managers, and advisors to deliver client outcomes.

• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-documented workpapers.

• Communicate proactively regarding missing information, queries, and technical matters.

• Participate in workflow planning and team collaboration activities.

• Review and support work completed by junior team members where required.

Systems & Practice Management

• Maintain accurate job tracking and workflow records.

• Work within practice management systems and tax lodgement platforms.

• Ensure compliance with internal quality control procedures and documentation standards.

• Contribute to process improvements and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Key Requirements

• CA ANZ or CPA Australia qualified, or currently in the final stages of completion.

• Minimum 3-5 years' experience within Australian public practice accounting.

• Demonstrated experience preparing tax returns across multiple entity types.

• Strong knowledge of discretionary trusts, family group structures, and SME taxation.

• Solid understanding of Div 7A, CGT, trust distributions, and small business concessions.

• Experience preparing BAS, IAS, and financial statements for Australian entities.

• Strong understanding of Australian taxation legislation and compliance requirements.

• Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for working with Australian teams.

• Ability to manage multiple client files and deadlines simultaneously.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Registered Tax Agent or actively working towards Tax Agent registration.

• Experience with Section 100A trust distribution rules.

• Exposure to business restructuring and rollover relief provisions.

• Experience reviewing work completed by junior accountants.

• Knowledge of payroll tax, land tax, and FBT compliance.

Systems & Software

• Xero

• CCH iFirm

• HandiSoft

• APS

• Xero Practice Manager

• Karbon

• ATO Online Services for Agents

• Microsoft Excel