Tax Preparer FullCharge Bookkeeper EA CTEC

Lou's Income Tax & Bookkeeping Service; Covina (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

SIMPLE IRA with 3% employer match

Health and dental insurance

Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days

Small-office team environment

Job summary

Lou's Income Tax & Bookkeeping Service in Covina, CA seeks a skilled Tax Preparer & Full-Charge Bookkeeper (EA or CTEC) to manage tax returns, payroll, and monthly bookkeeping for multiple local small businesses.

You will clean up messy books, process payroll, and guide clients through tax season with accuracy and professionalism. This role rewards meticulous work and client-facing collaboration.

Qualifications

• Must hold an active Enrolled Agent (EA) or a current CTEC Registration with a valid PTIN.
• 3–5+ years of combined experience in full-charge bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Online & Desktop, Lacerte, and MS Excel.
• Strong communication and client-service skills with deadline discipline.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file federal and state individual and business tax returns; conduct tax planning as needed.
• Manage day-to-day bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online/Desktop and monthly reconciliations.
• Process full-cycle payroll and file payroll tax returns (incl. CA EDD).
• Handle sales tax filings and prepare financial statements for clients.
• Generate and review monthly P&L and balance sheets for clients.
• Perform year-end clean-up of historical data for tax readiness.
• Serve as primary contact to gather documents and communicate with clients; ensure timely billing.

Skills

Communication

Reliability

Client service

Detail-oriented

Tools

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop

Lacerte

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

We are a growing, fast-paced bookkeeping and tax firm in the heart of Covina, CA, looking for a skilled Tax Preparer & Full-Charge Bookkeeper (EA or CTEC) to join our team. This role is designed for a detail-oriented professional who excels at both the technical mechanics of accounting and the human side of client service.

You will manage the day-to-day financial health, full-cycle payroll, and tax compliance for a diverse portfolio of local small businesses. If you love taking a client’s messy books, cleaning them up, processing their payroll, and taking them all the way through a filed tax return, this is the perfect role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Tax Preparation & Filing: Prepare and file accurate federal and state tax returns for individuals (Form 1040) and business entities (Partnerships/S-Corps/C-Corps). Conduct tax planning and research as needed.
• Full-Cycle Bookkeeping: Manage the day-to-day financial transactions in QuickBooks Online and Desktop. Perform monthly reconciliations for bank accounts, credit cards, and loans.
• Full-Cycle Payroll Administration: Process regular payroll for clients, manage direct deposits, track employee hours, and file quarterly/annual payroll tax returns (including California EDD forms).
• Sales Tax Compliance: Prepare, review, and file timely sales and use tax returns with the CDTFA.
• Financial Reporting: Generate, review, and send monthly Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets to clients, helping them understand their financial health.
• Year-End Clean-Ups: Perform deep-dive \"clean-up\" work on historical client data to ensure books are pristine and ready for tax season.
• Client Collaboration: Act as a primary point of contact for your portfolio, proactively communicating to gather missing documentation, answer accounting questions, and collect firm billing.

What We’re Looking For

• Credentials: Must hold an active Enrolled Agent (EA) license or a current CTEC Registration with a valid PTIN.
• Experience: 3-5+ years of combined experience in full-charge bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation (experience in a multi-client tax firm is preferred).
• Payroll Expertise: Strong understanding of full-cycle payroll, payroll taxes, and California labor/filing requirements.
• Software Savvy: Proficiency in QuickBooks Online & Desktop, Lacerte tax preparation software, and MS Excel.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills; comfortable translating complex tax and accounting concepts to clients via phone, email, and in-person meetings.
• Reliability & Integrity: A high degree of ownership over your work. You take pride in \"clean\" books and meet strict compliance deadlines without being prompted.

Why Join Our Team?

• Growth: Real mentorship from tax professionals—we don't want you to crunch numbers; we want you to grow with us.
• Retirement: SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match
• Benefits: Group health and dental insurance
• Work-Life Balance: Paid holidays, vacation time, and sick days, with flexible scheduling available outside of peak tax season
• Atmosphere: A friendly, supportive small-office environment where you are a valued member of the team