Tax Associate

Jacobson Lawrence & Company; La Verne (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JLCO Inc. in California seeks a Tax Associate to join our tax team. You will assist with tax return preparation, compliance, and planning for individuals, corporations, and partnerships, gaining hands-on experience with CA tax law.

You will work with CPAs and mentors to stay updated on regulations, use Lacerte software, and support clients during audits. A Bachelor's in accounting/finance and CPA-eligibility are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• CPA-eligible or actively pursuing CPA licensure in California.
• Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare federal and state tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and trusts.
• Assist in tax extensions, estimated payments, and tax projections.
• Research California and multistate tax issues using standard tax databases.
• Support clients during IRS and CA FTB audits or correspondence.
• Maintain organized client documentation and workpapers.
• Stay updated on federal and CA tax law changes.
• Collaborate with team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Utilize tax software (Lacerte) to process returns.

Skills

Tax knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Lacerte

Job description

At JLCO Inc. , our mission is to deliver a comprehensive and holistic approach to professional services, offering more than traditional accounting and tax support.

Our Vision

Our vision is to act as a central advisor and trusted influence, providing an ecosystem of solutions designed to address every aspect of each of our firms' clients' financial health and well-being, and meet their ever-changing needs.

Our Core Values

These principles guide everything we do, from client relationships to team collaboration.

Integrity in Every Action

We believe trust is the foundation of every client relationship and every internal partnership. At JLCO, integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. From tax compliance to IT security, we uphold industry-leading standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability to guide every decision we make.

Collaboration that Elevates

We achieve more when we work together. Collaboration at JLCO means breaking down silos between offices, departments, and teams to create a dynamic client and employee experience. By respecting each other's strengths and sharing knowledge, we elevate not only our teams, but the clients and community we serve.

Innovation with Purpose

We embrace change and harness technology to move our clients and our firm forward. At JLCO, innovation isn't about chasing trends — it's about implementing solutions that create efficiency, deliver clarity, and open new possibilities for growth. Every technology and tool we adopt is tested to ensure it aligns with our mission of empowering our clients toward their best future.

Tax Associate

Job Description

Position Summary

We’re looking for a highly motivated Tax Associate to join our California tax team. In this role, you’ll assist with tax return preparation, compliance, and planning for a variety of clients, including corporations, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals. You’ll gain hands-on experience with California tax law and multistate tax issues while working alongside experienced CPAs and mentors.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare federal and California state tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and trusts
• Assist in the preparation of tax extensions, estimated payments, and tax projections
• Conduct basic tax research on California and multistate issues using tools like CCH or BNA
• Support clients during IRS and California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) audits or correspondence
• Maintain organized and accurate client documentation and workpapers
• Stay up to date on federal and California tax law changes
• Collaborate with team members in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Utilize tax preparation software (e.g., Lacerte) to process returns

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA-eligible or actively pursuing CPA licensure in California
• Understanding of federal and California state tax regulations
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel)

Preferred:

• Internship or 1+ year of experience in public accounting or tax preparation
• Familiarity with California tax issues (FTB, CDTFA, or multistate filings)
• Experience with tax software such as Lacerte