About the Tax Accountant role
A Tax Accountant prepares tax returns, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and plans ahead so the company or its clients pay no more tax than the law requires. They calculate estimated payments, prepare tax provisions for financial statements, respond to notices from tax authorities, and keep documentation ready for examinations. In many companies they are also the first line of defense when an audit letter arrives.
The role rewards precision and continuous learning, since tax law changes every year. A strong tax accountant tracks legislative updates, researches technical questions with primary sources, meets immovable filing deadlines, and explains complex positions in plain language. In a corporate setting they work closely with the accounting team on provisions and transfer pricing. In a firm they manage a portfolio of client engagements through busy season.
In your posting, specify whether the role is corporate in-house or client-facing in a firm, which tax types it covers, such as income, sales and use, or international, and which jurisdictions apply. Also state whether CPA licensure is required or simply preferred, and be honest about busy season hours. A precise scope helps you avoid interviewing generalists when you need a specialist, or the reverse.
Tax Accountant job description template
Job brief
We are looking for a Tax Accountant to prepare tax payments and returns, ensure compliance across the jurisdictions where we operate, and identify planning opportunities that reduce our tax burden legally and defensibly. You will prepare workpapers and provisions, track law changes that affect us, and handle correspondence with tax authorities. To succeed in this role, you should combine deep knowledge of tax regulations with disciplined documentation habits and a calm approach to hard deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and file federal, state, and local tax returns accurately and on time
- Calculate quarterly estimated tax payments and manage the filing calendar
- Prepare tax provisions and supporting workpapers for financial statements
- Ensure compliance with income, sales and use, payroll, and property tax requirements
- Research tax questions and document positions with references to primary authority
- Monitor legislative changes and assess their impact on the company
- Identify legitimate tax savings opportunities, credits, and incentives
- Respond to notices, information requests, and examinations from tax authorities
- Maintain organized, audit-ready tax records and documentation
- Coordinate with external advisors on complex or specialized tax matters
Requirements and skills
- Proven work experience as a Tax Accountant, Tax Analyst, or Tax Preparer
- Strong knowledge of federal and state tax regulations and filing requirements
- Experience with tax preparation software and general ledger systems
- Solid understanding of accounting principles and how tax interacts with financial reporting
- Advanced Excel skills for workpapers, reconciliations, and provision schedules
- Strong research skills using primary sources and professional tax libraries
- Exceptional accuracy, organization, and deadline discipline
- Ability to explain tax matters clearly to non-specialists
- BSc in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
Nice to have
- CPA license or Enrolled Agent credential, or active progress toward either
- Master's degree in Taxation
- Experience with international tax, transfer pricing, or multi-state apportionment
- Familiarity with tax provision software and ERP systems such as NetSuite or SAP
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