Tax Associate

Wealth Enhancement; El Cerrito (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Wealth Enhancement is an independent wealth management firm serving high-net-worth clients with personalized financial planning and roundtable processes. We seek a Tax Associate to support an advising team in California, ensuring timely tax filings and client satisfaction.

The role can work from El Cerrito or Walnut Creek, CA, with a base salary range of $80,000 to $115,000, exclusive of bonuses. The successful candidate will prepare federal/state tax returns, assist with planning, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting with focus on tax preferred.
• Ideal candidates have CPA/EA certifications or willingness to pursue
• 2+ years' experience in tax preparation or public accounting.
• Proficiency in tax software and technology tools, with Drake Software a significant plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review individual, trust, and small business tax returns (Forms 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 709, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Maintain accurate and organized tax documentation and workpapers.
• Assist with e-filing and submission of returns.
• Respond to client inquiries regarding tax documents, deadlines, and filings.
• Collaborate with financial advisors to gather necessary client information.
• Review tax notices; assist with initial draft responses to the IRS or state for review.
• Provide clear explanations of tax-related matters to clients in a professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold client service standards.
• Assist in the development of tax projections and planning strategies.
• Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations relevant to client portfolios.
• Support year-end planning meetings and documentation.
• Utilize tax software for return preparation.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and document management systems.
• Ensure timely updates of client tax data and filing statuses.
• Review updates and partner with IT team to solve any issues with tax software program.

Skills

Tax knowledge

Client communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

CPA

EA

CTEC registered tax preparer

2+ years' experience in tax preparation or public accounting

Tools

Drake Software

Job description

About Wealth Enhancement

Wealth Enhancement is an independent wealth management firm with an endless passion for enriching the lives of our clients. We continually seek to perfect our craft of personalized financial planning with our team-based Roundtable and UniFi processes that go far beyond the standard approach. We proudly provide unique financial plans and investment management services to over 90,000 households from our over 175 offices - and growing - nationwide.

About Wealth Enhancement

Wealth Enhancement is an independent wealth management firm with an endless passion for enriching the lives of our clients. We continually seek to perfect our craft of personalized financial planning with our team-based Roundtable and UniFi processes that go far beyond the standard approach. We proudly provide unique financial plans and investment management services to over 90,000 households from our over 175 offices - and growing - nationwide.

Since 1997, Wealth Enhancement has tirelessly raised the standard of wealth management with specialized knowledge and more attentive service that helps every client craft their future. For more information, please visit www.wealthenhancement.com.

We are looking for a Tax Associate to supports an advising team in California in delivering top-quality tax services to high-net-worth clients and ensuring both the client and our Wealth Enhancement (WE) Financial Advisors satisfaction.

This role can work out of either our El Cerrito or Walnut Creek, CA locations.

The Tax Associate works closely with Advisors, clients, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely tax filings and to support broader financial planning strategies.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $115,000.00, depending on qualifications. This is exclusive of other bonuses and benefits. We encourage you to apply and provide us with your compensation expectations when you do. We’re big on open conversations, so, let’s have one.

Primary Job Functions

Tax Compliance and Preparation

• Prepare and review individual, trust, and small business tax returns (Forms 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 709, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations
• Maintain accurate and organized tax documentation and workpapers
• Assist with e-filing and submission of returns
  
  

Client Service and Communication

• Respond to client inquiries regarding tax documents, deadlines, and filings
• Collaborate with financial advisors to gather necessary client information
• Review tax notices; assist with initial draft responses to the IRS or state for review
• Provide clear explanations of tax-related matters to clients in a professional manner
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold client service standards
  
  

Tax Planning Support

• Assist in the development of tax projections and planning strategies
• Research tax issues and summarize findings for senior staff or advisors
• Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations relevant to client portfolios
• Support year-end planning meetings and documentation
  
  

Data Management and Technology Use

• Utilize tax software for return preparation
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and document management systems
• Ensure timely updates of client tax data and filing statuses
• Review updates and partner with IT team to solve any issues with tax software program
• Assist in process improvement initiatives and technology adoption
  
  

Team Collaboration and Professional Development

• Participate in Team meetings, training sessions, and firm-wide initiatives
• Coordinate with Team members and tax billing/shipping to make sure proper delivery and transmission
• Maintain Team tax dashboard to track preparation, notes, revenue and opportunities
• Support seasonal workload balancing and cross-functional projects
  
  

Education/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Finance or Accounting with a focus on tax preferred
• Ideal candidates have advanced knowledge and certifications (e.g., CPA, EA), or are willing to pursue
• CTEC registered tax preparer highly preferred
• 2+ years' experience in tax preparation or public accounting
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and high-performance team culture
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent financial acuity
• Proficiency in tax software and technology tools, with knowledge of Drake Software a significant plus
  
  

WEG hires employees and makes decisions about their salary qualifications based on factors such as: the role to be performed; educational and professional experience, qualifications, skills and credentials; tenure, cost-of-living and demand for the role in the applicable market. To comply with state pay transparency laws, we must disclose the entire salary grade. The entire salary grade for those who are classified as the Lead level is $57,750.00 to $126,000.00. However, the base salary range bolded above is what we expect to pay as a starting range for this position.

Comprehensive Benefits Offerings

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. You may be eligible to participate in the following benefits & development opportunities:

• Training and professional development
• Medical, dental and vision coverage (Available to full-time employees and their families)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical, dependent, and transit expenses
• Life and AD&D insurance – employer paid and voluntary options
• Short-term and long-term disability, workers compensation – employer paid
• 401k with match and profit sharing
• Wellness programs and resources
• Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance
• 18 days of paid time off (PTO), accrued annually (25 PTO days after 4 years of service)
• 12 paid holidays each year (10 pre-determined and 2 floating days)
• Paid parental leave and paid caregiver leave (Caregiver leave available after 6 months of tenure)
• Reimbursement for tuition, licensing, and other credentials (Available after meeting service requirements)
  
  

Should you need reasonable accommodation when completing the application form or during the selection process, contact the Human Resources Department at 763-417-1700

Information provided on this application will be kept confidential and only be shared with those involved in the selection process.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans. This organization participates in E-Verify.

Click the following link to view Federal and E-Verify posters: Link

OSHA Requirements: This position requires the ability to stand or sit for long periods of time, file documents in high or low cabinets, to use the telephone and to use the computer systems.

Wealth Enhancement may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of resumes. All AI-supported evaluations are reviewed by our recruitment team to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to equal opportunity in employment and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. Your personal information is handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.