Position Summary
The Tax Senior is responsible for preparing and reviewing federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals, businesses, trusts, and other entities to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations. This role provides technical tax guidance, identifies potential tax planning opportunities, resolves complex tax issues, and collaborates with tax preparers, managers, and partners to deliver high-quality client service. The Tax Senior also supports tax staff development, manages review deadlines, and helps maintain the firm's tax quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Tax Return Preparation, Review and Compliance
- Prepare and review federal, state, and local income tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, and other entities.
- Examine tax workpapers, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and tax calculations for accuracy and completeness.
- Verify compliance with applicable tax laws, regulations, filing requirements, and professional standards.
- Identify errors, omissions, inconsistencies, and potential tax risks and communicate necessary adjustments to preparers.
- Review complex tax matters, including pass-through entity taxation, basis calculations, depreciation, credits, and multistate tax issues.
- Ensure timely completion of tax return reviews, extensions, and other required filings.
- Review tax notices and assist with responses to IRS and state taxing authorities, as needed.
Tax Research and Planning
- Research complex federal and state tax issues and interpret changes in tax legislation and regulations.
- Identify tax-saving opportunities and recommend appropriate tax planning strategies.
- Evaluate the tax implications of business transactions, entity structures, and changes in client circumstances.
- Provide technical guidance to tax preparers on complex tax positions and reporting requirements.
- Assist with tax planning projections, estimated tax calculations, and year-end tax strategies.
Quality Control and Risk Management
- Ensure tax returns comply with firm review procedures and quality control standards.
- Evaluate the adequacy of supporting documentation for material tax positions and deductions.
- Identify potential compliance risks and elevate relevant technical issues to tax managers or partners.
- Maintain organized review notes, workpapers, and documentation supporting conclusions.
- Support internal quality reviews and continuous improvement of tax preparation and review processes.
Team Collaboration and Client Service
- Provide feedback and technical guidance to staff accountants and tax preparers.
- Collaborate with tax managers and partners to resolve complex tax issues and finalize client deliverables.
- Communicate outstanding review items and documentation requests to engagement teams and clients.
- Assist with client inquiries regarding tax return results, filing requirements, and tax planning matters.
- Support efficient workflow management during peak tax seasons and other critical filing periods.