Tax Preparer - Individual Tax, Associate

Overview

We are seeking an Individual Tax Preparer to support the preparation of U.S. federal and state individual income-tax returns under the supervision and review of experienced tax professionals. The ideal candidate has practical experience preparing or assembling Form 1040 returns and understands how to organize client information, identify missing documents, and flag issues for review.

A CPA or Enrolled Agent credential is not required. Practical U.S. individual tax-preparation experience is required.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities

• Organize client tax documents, prior-year returns, questionnaires, and source information
• Prepare or input individual tax-return data under established firm procedures
• Assist with federal Form 1040 returns and applicable state returns
• Handle common items such as wages, interest, dividends, retirement income, brokerage activity, rental income, self-employment income, education expenses, and itemized deductions
• Roll forward prior-year data and compare current-year information for changes or missing items
• Reconcile tax documents to the return and investigate inconsistencies
• Prepare clear questions for missing information or unusual transactions
• Maintain organized workpapers and source-document references
• Address reviewer notes accurately and document changes
• Follow the firm’s tax software, e-file, security, and quality-control procedures
• Protect confidential taxpayer information and follow data-security requirements

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• 1–3 years of hands-on U.S. individual tax-preparation or tax-support experience
• Familiarity with Form 1040 preparation and common federal tax forms and schedules
• Ability to read prior-year returns and identify material changes or missing information
• Familiarity with tax software such as CCH Axcess, ProSystem fx, UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake, ProSeries, or comparable platforms
• Basic understanding of federal and state individual income-tax concepts
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow documented review procedures
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills for organizing and reconciling information
• Clear written and spoken English for communicating questions to the review team
• Willingness to work extended or adjusted hours during tax season when required

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with one or more state tax returns, including nonresident or part-year returns
• Exposure to Schedule C, Schedule E, Schedule D, Form 8949, K-1 reporting, and estimated-tax payments
• Experience with tax organizers, document portals, e-signature processes, and e-file checklists
• Seasonal experience in a U.S. CPA firm or tax-preparation practice