Tax Staff

SUMMARY: Understands tax regulations and accounting pronouncements; provides quality tax services to clients by completing tax planning and research as well as preparing individual tax returns for review by performing the following duties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares individual income tax returns as well as may prepare partnership and corporate income tax returns in various industries under the direction of the Manager, Senior Manager, Director or Partner by providing timely, high quality service.
• Organizes work papers, maintains open items list and conducts self-review of work before submission to reviewer.
• Provides technical assistance, tax planning, and research on income tax issues.
• Develops or offers a proposed solution when communicating an issue.
• Keeps clients informed of the tax developments that affect their business.
• Develops an understanding of the service capabilities and offerings of the Firm, recognizing opportunities to provide additional services to new or existing clients.
• Stays abreast of any changes and ensures compliance with internal and external requirements and policies, including time entry.
• Actively prepares for and takes the CPA exam until successful completion of the exam.
• Maintains the required CPE for Firm and licensing standards.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact and maintain professional relationships with staff as well as clients.
• Ability to organize facts, analyze and interpret information/research according to client circumstances.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining consistency, accuracy and providing superior service.
• Works autonomously under the pressure of tight deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Must be well organized, detail oriented and thorough.
• Exhibits strong analytical ability and diligently performs assigned tasks with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Must exhibit a high degree of professionalism including the ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with professionals at all levels.
• Participates in Firm, professional and civic activities that contribute to the community and overall marketing effort of Heard, McElroy, & Vestal.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in Accounting with strong academic track record (minimum GPA of 3.0); must meet minimum requirements to sit for CPA exam; accounting-based internship and/or recent tax preparation experience preferred; participated in campus and civic activities serving in leadership positions in those organizations.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, office equipment, computer hardware and peripheral devices. Develops proficiency for Firm software applications and procedures as well as tax preparation and research software.

Firm Culture/Client Service:

Promotes the firm's culture, including supporting Heard, McElroy & Vestal's philosophy of developing a relationship with each client on a personal level, catering to their specific needs. Ability and judgment to interact and communicate appropriately with other employees, clients and management. Actively develops team members at all levels. Ability to serve clients, both internal and external (community/public) in a manner that will support superior client relations.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk or use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Heard, McElroy & Vestal shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet the Firm's changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in the Firm's sole discretion.

Heard, McElroy & Vestal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively seek and employ qualified persons in all job…