Tax Associate

Farm Credit Council; Lebanon (NJ); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Farm Credit East is seeking a Tax Associate to join the Farm Advisory Services team. You will prepare tax returns, assist customers with tax and accounting decisions, and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Excellent communication and client service are essential as you work with staff and other units. Hybrid work options are available after two weeks, with scheduling based on role and client needs.

Qualifications

• Prepares tax returns per regulatory standards.
• Delivers accurate tax and accounting services to clients.
• Maintains knowledge of federal and state tax rules.

Responsibilities

• Prepare tax returns accurately for ACA and regulatory standards.
• Deliver high‑quality tax and accounting advice to clients.
• Cross-sell Farm Credit East services when appropriate.

Skills

Tax preparation

Tax returns

Communication

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Agworx

CCH Tax

Job description

Position Summary

Join a team focused on the success of our customers, the communities, and each other. Farm Credit East (FCE) is the leading provider of loans and farm advisory services to farm, forest product, fishing, and other agricultural business owners across the northeast with $13.5 billion in total loan volume and $29 million in annual financial services revenue from 18,000 customers across our 8‑state territory. We are One Team Working Together with a focus on our five pillars: Outstanding Customer and Employee Experience, Quality Growth, Operational Excellence, Commitment to our Communities, and Protecting Customer Information.

As a member of the Farm Advisory Services team, the Tax Associate works as part of a team dedicated to improving our customers’ financial reporting, providing them with the information they need to make tax, accounting and business decisions, and ensuring their compliance with Federal and State tax laws. A good understanding of tax and accounting principles is key, as are excellent communication and customer service skills. This person works closely with business accounting staff, consultants, and other business units to develop a strong understanding of Farm Credit East’s products and services to provide valuable solutions to customers’ financial and business needs. Those successful in this role possess a proactive mindset along with a willingness to cultivate relationships with both new and existing clients.

Value Drivers

• Provides high‑quality tax services for a profitable fee to fuel Association growth and add value to the customer relationship.
• Executes on Farm Credit East’s adoption of digital tools for a world‑class customer experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

Creating Customer Value

• Accurately prepares tax returns and other returns per ACA and regulatory standards.
• Delivers accurate, high‑quality, high‑impact tax and accounting services to customers in a manner that motivates and enables them to better accomplish their objectives.
• Contributes to the success of customer businesses and the Association through the timely and accurate delivery of financial services to customers for a profitable fee.
• Actively cross‑sells all Farm Credit East services and adequately documents in Agworx.
• Maintains accounting standards knowledge, as well as federal and state tax knowledge, and has a thorough understanding of all tax and records software programs.

Customer Centricity

• Follows up on customer communication within 24 hours.
• Actively manages CCH workstream data and Agworx dashboards to ensure data integrity.
• Adheres to Farm Credit time and billing practices and procedures ensuring timely and transparent billing.

Job Qualifications and Requirements

• This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Agriculture, Agri‑Business, Economics, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• We offer hybrid work options after two weeks of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $53,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience.
• Short‑Term Incentive to reward business results.
• Retirement Contributions:
  • 401(k) match up to 6% of salary; for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2–9% of salary depending on years of service.
• Time Off:
  • 15–25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service.
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year.
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year, followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year.
• Health and Insurance:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including preventive care and wellness programs to support your overall health and well‑being.
  • Health Savings Account.
  • Life insurance at 2× base pay.
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2× base pay.
  • Long‑term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Continuing education and training.
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources.

Farm Credit East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Our goal is to make employment decisions that further the principle of equal employment opportunity by utilizing objective standards based upon an individual’s qualifications for a specific job opening. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), if you have a disability and would like a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position with Farm Credit East, please call 1‑800‑562‑2235 or e‑mail [e-mail].