Tax Senior Associate — Lead Engagements & Mentor Team in SD

WithumSmith+Brown; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WithumSmith+Brown is seeking a Tax Senior in San Diego, CA to lead tax engagements, supervise staff, and build client relationships. The role requires CPA licensure (or progress toward CPA) and 3–5 years in a public accounting tax department.

You’ll work with a team of seasoned CPAs to deliver accurate tax returns, research complex matters, and identify planning opportunities while providing mentorship and client service excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• Licensed CPA, or working towards CPA certification.
• Masters of Science in Taxation is preferred but not required.
• 3–5 years of prior experience working in the tax department of a public accounting firm.
• Excellent analytical and technical tax skills.
• Exceptional client service and communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain client relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and competing projects in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong leadership, training, and mentoring skills with clear communication.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Preparing complex individual, trust, partnership, and corporate tax returns.
• Reviewing mid-level complexity tax returns prepared by staff for accuracy.
• Researching and drafting memoranda involving complex tax matters.
• Identifying tax planning opportunities for clients.
• Handling and resolving tax controversies.
• Managing multiple engagements with various teams to meet deadlines.
• Providing supervision, training and support to staff and coordinating with engagement partner and manager.

Skills

Tax expertise

Client service

Leadership

Communication

Research

Time management

Attention to detail

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Licensed CPA

Masters of Science in Taxation

Job description

WithumSmith+Brown is seeking a Tax Senior in San Diego, CA to lead tax engagements, supervise staff, and build client relationships. The role requires CPA licensure (or progress toward CPA) and 3–5 years in a public accounting tax department.

You’ll work with a team of seasoned CPAs to deliver accurate tax returns, research complex matters, and identify planning opportunities while providing mentorship and client service excellence.