Tax Associate

ascendtogether; Boca Raton (FL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

401(k) Matching

Flexible Time Off

Parental Leave

Remote/Hybrid options

Job summary

KSDT, now partnering with Ascend, seeks a Tax Associate to deliver innovative business tax planning and compliance services across multiple client engagements in Florida. The role emphasizes learning, mentorship, and growth within a supportive team environment.

The successful candidate will review returns, assist with engagements, and engage with IRS authorities when needed, while developing profitable client relationships and contributing to team development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with a major in accounting.
• Master's in Taxation or LLM in Taxation a plus.
• Strong technical skills pertaining to tax preparation and review, tax compliance, agency correspondence and tax research.
• Experience in tax provisions a plus.
• Ability to problem-solve and think both creatively and logically.
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and effectively organize, prioritize and manage multiple engagements under tight deadlines.
• Outstanding leadership, mentoring and interpersonal skills fostering client and staff relationships.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to attract and develop profitable, sustainable client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide consulting services and make recommendations to clients on innovative business tax planning and compliance services in a timely and effective manner.
• Review tax returns from associates and interns and make recommendations regarding accuracy and tax savings opportunities.
• Assist Manager in running client engagements from start to finish, including planning, executing, directing, and completing tax projects and managing to budget.
• Ensure complete client satisfaction through open communication, managing, meeting deadlines and proactively sharing tax saving strategies.
• Work closely with Partners, Senior Managers, Managers and Staff on client management, professional development and business development activities.
• Resolve minor issues directly with the IRS and other tax authorities.
• Assist with resolving more complex issues with IRS and other tax authorities.
• Participate in client meetings. May lead client meetings with smaller clients.
• Supervise, train, and mentor associates and interns on tax projects and assess performance of staff for engagement reviews.
• Attend professional development and continuing education sessions on a regular basis.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Job description

Tax Associate

About KSDT

KSDT has long been recognized as one of Forbes Best Accounting and Tax Firms in America and one of the South Florida Business Journal's Best Places to Work . Now, with our exciting new partnership with Ascend, we're stepping into the next phase of growth and opportunity.

What hasn't changed is our culture: the "secret sauce" that sets us apart. We foster a fun and creative environment, keep politics out, and make work-life balance a priority. We seek highly motivated individuals who want not only true career advancement, but also the chance to shape and grow alongside a firm that is scaling rapidly. Our partners and knowledgeable professionals remain accessible for hands-on learning, mentorship, and development.

In September 2025, KSDT made the strategic decision to join Ascend! With Ascend's partnership and shared resources, KSDT is well positioned for strong innovation and growth in the years to come.

About Ascend

At Ascend, we recognize the struggles that accounting & finance professionals face in traditional firms - from rigid hierarchies and overwhelming workloads to the elusive work-life balance. We believe your ambition should not be constrained by outdated practices or opaque career paths. Here, you're not just a number but a valued member of a community that champions both your professional and personal fulfillment. Our mission is to transform the public accounting experience into one where work-life harmony is a reality, and where your career advancement is supported by a nurturing network and robust resources.

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today's industry challenges to reach their full potential.

For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

Locations

Miami, Florida OR Weston, Florida OR Boca Raton, Florida OR Remote OR Hybrid

Responsibilities

• Provide consulting services and make recommendations to clients on innovative business tax planning and compliance services in a timely and effective manner.
• Review tax returns from associates and interns and make recommendations regarding accuracy and tax savings opportunities.
• Assist Manager in running client engagements from start to finish, including planning, executing, directing, and completing tax projects and managing to budget.
• Ensure complete client satisfaction through open communication, managing, meeting deadlines and proactively sharing tax saving strategies.
• Work closely with Partners, Senior Managers, Managers and Staff on client management, professional development and business development activities.
• Resolve minor issues directly with the IRS and other tax authorities.
• Assist with resolving more complex issues with IRS and other tax authorities.
• Participate in client meetings. May lead client meetings with smaller clients.
• Supervise, train, and mentor associates and interns on tax projects and assess performance of staff for engagement reviews.
• Attend professional development and continuing education sessions on a regular basis.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with a major in accounting.
• Master's in Taxation or LLM in Taxation a plus.
• Strong technical skills pertaining to tax preparation and review, tax compliance, agency correspondence and tax research.
• Experience in tax provisions a plus.
• Ability to problem-solve and think both creatively and logically.
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and effectively organize, prioritize and manage multiple engagements under tight deadlines.
• Outstanding leadership, mentoring and interpersonal skills fostering client and staff relationships.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to attract and develop profitable, sustainable client relationships.

Benefits and Perks

• Health, Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Time Off
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Assistant Programs
• 401(k) Matching
• Commuter Benefits
• Parental Leave
• Modernized Incentives and Equity Participation

Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statements

KSDT is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, and workplace culture.

KSDT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran statu