Tax Associate

Cerity Partners Management LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with match

Flexible PTO

Parental Leave

Education assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Cerity Partners is seeking a Tax Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join our El Segundo team. You will prepare federal, state, and local returns for individuals and entities, assist with estimated tax projections, and support tax planning for high-net-worth clients.

The role emphasizes accurate workpapers, compliance, and attentive client service. CPA candidacy is preferred; proficiency with CCH Axcess and Excel is a plus. Equity to join our growing practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2–4 years of tax return preparation, review, and compliance in a public accounting firm or similar environment.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws related to individuals and business entities.
• GAAP understanding and ability to analyze complex financial statements.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and proactive time management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals and entities with high accuracy.
• Prepare extension calculations, estimated tax projections, and tax planning projects.
• Prepare and review quarterly tax projections.
• Assist with 1099s and year-end related calculations.
• Organize and review financial statements; prepare supporting tax workpapers.
• Complete accounting functions including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Maintain organized client documents and workpapers for review.
• Research tax issues and address client-specific situations.

Skills

Tax prep

Client service

Attention to detail

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

CCH Axcess

SurePrep

Safe Send

Excel

QuickBooks Online

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated Tax Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join our El Segundo team. In this role, you will prepare tax returns, help manage client relationships, and provide tax planning and compliance services for high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and real estate investors. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple engagements while delivering exceptional client service.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and other business entities with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Prepare extension calculations and requests, and assist with estimated tax calculations and tax planning projects.
• Prepare and review quarterly tax projections.
• Assist in the preparation of 1099s and other year‑end related benefit calculations.
• Organize, review, and analyze financial statements for accuracy and adjust as needed.
• Prepare supporting tax workpapers, including tax provisions, capital and/or basis calculations, and depreciation schedules.
• Complete accounting functions such as reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries.
• Keep client documents and supporting workpapers organized for easier review.
• Research tax issues as necessary to address client‑specific situations or tax law changes.
• Assist with tax audits as needed.
• Ensure clients comply with applicable tax regulations to meet their federal and state income tax obligations.
• Answer client questions and respond to client inquiries, providing superior service and ensuring successful resolution of any client need.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 2–4 years of experience in tax return preparation, review, and compliance in a public accounting firm or similar environment.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws, especially as they relate to individuals and business entities.
• Basic understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the ability to analyze and interpret complex financial statements.
• Strong attention to detail, exceptional problem‑solving skills, and ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines proactively with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA license, candidate, or actively pursuing CPA licensure preferred
• Proficiency in CCH Axcess tax preparation software strongly preferred.
• Experience with Sure Prep and Safe Send a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word; experience with QuickBooks Online a plus.
• Tax research experience a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrate strong and effective communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work in a team based/collaborative environment.
• Must accept and thrive in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Adherence to all compliance policies & procedures.
• Demonstrate the Cerity Partners culture.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Compensation Range

$80,000 - $95,000

Why Cerity Partners

Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Below is a glimpse of the key elements of our total rewards package:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance – day 1!
• 401(k) savings and investment plan options with 4% match
• Flexible PTO policy
• Parental Leave
• Financial assistance for advanced education and professional designations
• Opportunity to give back time to local communities
• Commuter benefits

Cerity Partners is committed to providing an environment where all individuals can be their authentic selves. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who respects each individual and supports the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of our colleagues. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Cerity Partners is committed to working with and providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities or special needs. For those needing accommodations, please reach out to [e-mail].

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Ultimately, outstanding wealth management is about people and relationships. Our people are the nucleus of Cerity Partners. Each colleague brings unique expertise, commitment and knowledge to the firm and it is by working together that we achieve our mission to have a positive impact on the financial well‑being of our clients, colleagues and communities. Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. We truly care about what we do.

Cerity Partners is one of the nation’s leading independent financial advisory firms. We serve high‑net‑worth individuals & their families, businesses, & their employees, and nonprofit organizations from our offices across the country. Our in‑house specialists of tax advisors, financial planners, investment professionals, & retirement plan consultants are passionate about and committed to providing financial advice & oversight. At Cerity Partners, we believe in the long view. We work with clients who appreciate our comprehensive and sustained approach to wealth management. We don’t just look for short‑term gains, we seek long‑term growth. We have the same approach to our people. We look for experienced and credentialed wealth management colleagues who can keep pace with us. We manage over $190 billion in assets under management for our clients. We are routinely recognized as a Top RIA Firm by Barron’s Advisor, Newsweek, USA Today, and more. The driving factor of our accelerated growth is our people. Located throughout the U.S., our teams consist of specialists who are helpful, knowledgeable, sincere, and have the perseverance and capability to go the extra mile for our clients. We consider our firm a community that works together to serve one common goal: Finding diverse solutions to suit diverse financial needs.