Tax Specialist

Cooley; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Life Insurance

PTO 20 days

Paid holidays

Job summary

Cooley, a leading law firm, seeks a Tax Specialist to join the Accounting & Finance team. The role oversees tax compliance, reporting, and regulatory filings across offices, ensuring adherence to tax laws.

Key duties include preparing federal/state partnership returns and Schedule K-1s, local tax filings, and coordinating with external advisors. Strong knowledge of MS Office and iManage is expected.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ tax/accounting-related experience
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably a BS in Accounting
• CPA certification (preferred)
• International law firm experience strongly preferred
• Elite 3E or Elite Enterprise experience

Responsibilities

• Collect, reconcile, and provide tax information and supporting documentation to external tax advisors for the preparation of annual U.S. federal and state partnership tax returns and partners’ Schedule K-1s
• Coordinate with external tax advisors to facilitate timely preparation and filing of federal and state partnership tax returns, including responding to information requests
• Prepare and file all local tax returns (property tax, sales and use tax, gross receipts, and other local taxes)
• Prepare monthly reconciliations for general ledger accounts and maintain workpapers for year-end tax prep
• Monitor tax filing deadlines and coordinate with internal departments and external advisors
• Research tax issues and monitor changes in federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations
• Respond to IRS, state, and local tax notices and assist with audits
• Assist with partner tax communications including quarterly estimates and Schedule K-1s
• Assist with annual budgeting by preparing tax projections and analysis
• Perform other tax and accounting duties and special projects

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Travel availability

Overtime willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

Elite 3E / Elite Enterprise

Job description

Tax Specialist Cooley is seeking a Tax Specialist to join the Accounting & Finance team.

Position summary

The Tax Specialist is responsible for firm’s tax compliance, tax reporting, and regulatory filings across all offices and applicable tax jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with all tax laws and reporting requirements.

Position responsibilities

• Collect, reconcile, and provide tax information and supporting documentation to the firm’s external tax advisors for the preparation of annual U.S. federal and state partnership tax returns and partners’ Schedule K-1s
• Coordinate with the firm’s external tax advisors to facilitate the timely preparation and filing of federal and state partnership tax returns, including responding to information requests and reviewing draft filings
• Prepare and file all local tax returns, including, but not limited to, property tax, sales and use tax, gross receipts, and other local tax returns, ensuring timely compliance with applicable filing requirements
• Prepare monthly reconciliations for certain general ledger accounts and maintain supporting workpapers for year-end tax preparation
• Monitor tax filing deadlines and coordinate with internal departments and external tax advisors to ensure timely completion of all tax filings
• Research tax issues and monitor changes in federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance and identify potential impacts to the firm
• Respond to IRS, state, and local tax notices and assist with tax examinations and audits, as needed
• Assist with partner tax communications, including the distribution of quarterly tax estimates and annual Schedule K-1s, and respond promptly to partner inquiries
• Assist with the annual budgeting process by preparing tax-related projections, estimates, and supporting analysis
• Perform other tax and accounting duties and special projects as assigned or required

Skills and experience

• Required:
  • After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
  • Available to work overtime, as required
  • Ability to travel, as required
  • 3+ years’ prior tax/accounting-related experience
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably a BS in Accounting
  • Prior experience in a law firm or professional services firm
  • CPA certification
  • International law firm experience strongly preferred
  • Elite 3E or Elite Enterprise experience

Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities
• Strong judgment
• Team-player with collaborative spirit
• Unwavering ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects, client data (if applicable)
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and multi-task under tight deadlines, and maintain flexibility with work assignments and schedule
• Strong analytical skills
• Motivated self-starter and ability to take initiative
• High level of professionalism at all times

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is $36.00 - $53.00 ($74,880.00 - $110,240.00 annually).

Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

Senior level candidates may be considered for this position and would be eligible for a higher salary range based on experience.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits.

In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year.

We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.