Job Description
Job Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Tax Accountant is a highly experienced tax professional responsible for the accurate preparation, technical review, and timely completion of individual and small-business tax returns. This position serves as a senior technical resource within Arcadia's tax function, applying advanced tax knowledge, independent judgment, and strong attention to detail to deliver accurate, compliant, and high-quality tax services.
Arcadia's tax practice is primarily focused on individual income tax returns, high net worth individuals and a small volume of small-business and related entity returns. Most returns are intermediate in complexity, with a limited number of more complex matters. The Senior Tax Accountant must have substantial hands-on tax preparation and review experience, with the technical depth to independently resolve complex tax questions, review the work of others, and provide guidance to less-experienced tax professionals.
This position works closely with Arcadia's Financial Planners, who own the broader advisory relationship and proactive client tax-planning process. The Senior Tax Accountant provides the technical tax expertise, preparation, review, and execution support necessary to ensure tax strategies are accurately reflected in client filings.
The role requires a high degree of technical proficiency, accountability, organization, and client service, along with the ability to support the technical development of colleagues.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Tax Preparation, Technical Expertise & Quality Control
- Independently prepare and review federal and state high net worth individual income tax returns, including returns involving investments, retirement distributions, capital gains, rental properties, self-employment income, and other moderately complex tax matters.
- Prepare and review small-business and related entity tax returns, including partnerships, S corporations, and other applicable business filings.
- Manage assigned tax engagements through preparation, review, finalization, and filing, ensuring accuracy, completeness, compliance, and timely execution.
- Perform detailed technical reviews of returns prepared by other tax professionals, identifying errors, inconsistencies, and areas requiring clarification or correction.
- Independently research and resolve complex federal and local state tax questions, applying sound professional judgment and documenting conclusions when appropriate.
- Identify missing information, potential tax issues, and opportunities for clarification throughout the preparation and review process.
- Maintain accurate workpapers, supporting documentation, and client records in accordance with established standards and applicable requirements.
- Remain current on changes in tax laws, regulations, and filing requirements to ensure accurate and compliant tax preparation.
Technical Guidance & Team Development
- Serve as a senior technical resource to other tax professionals, providing guidance on tax preparation, reporting requirements, technical questions, and complex filing matters.
- Review work completed by less-experienced team members and provide constructive feedback to strengthen technical accuracy, consistency, and professional development.
- Support the training and onboarding of tax team members through knowledge sharing, technical instruction, and practical guidance.
- Identify recurring errors, knowledge gaps, or opportunities for improvement and recommend appropriate training or process enhancements.
- Promote consistent application of established preparation, review, and documentation standards across the tax function.
Client Experience & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Communicate confidently and professionally with tax clients regarding preparation requirements, filing questions, tax notices, and technically complex matters.
- Explain tax concepts, filing outcomes, and relevant tax considerations in a clear, practical, and understandable manner.
- Address client questions, discrepancies, and service concerns with appropriate urgency, sound judgment, and follow-through.
- Assist clients with understanding and responding to federal and local state tax notices, correspondence, and filing-related inquiries.
- Evaluate the tax implications of proposed financial planning strategies and support their accurate implementation through tax preparation and reporting.
- Identify tax considerations during preparation and review that may warrant further evaluation by the client's Financial Planner.
- Maintain confidentiality and deliver a professional, personalized client experience consistent with Arcadia's service standards.
Workflow Accountability & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain ownership of assigned engagements, including deadlines, extensions, outstanding client information, and completion status.
- Organize and prioritize work effectively to meet filing requirements and client commitments, particularly during peak tax season.
- Proactively communicate workload concerns, technical challenges, filing risks, or anticipated delays to operational leadership.
- Follow established preparation, review, documentation, and filing procedures to maintain consistency and operational reliability.
- Recommend practical improvements to tax preparation processes, technology utilization, documentation, and quality-control practices.
- Support efficient filing-season execution through strong individual accountability, collaboration, and attention to detail.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required, in good standing.
- Significant progressive experience in tax preparation and review.
- Advanced practical knowledge of federal and local state individual income taxation, with meaningful experience preparing and reviewing small-business and related entity returns.
- Demonstrated experience independently preparing complex tax returns and performing technical reviews of work completed by other tax professionals.
- Strong technical research, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently resolve tax questions and apply sound professional judgment.
- Experience providing technical guidance, training, or mentorship to less-experienced tax professionals preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage the demands of filing season, including competing deadlines, client communication, and high-volume preparation and review responsibilities.
- Proficiency with professional tax preparation software and related document management systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex tax matters clearly and navigate difficult client conversations.
- High level of ownership, follow-through, process discipline, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Assigned tax returns are prepared, reviewed, and filed accurately, consistently, and within applicable deadlines.
- Complex tax questions are independently researched and resolved with sound technical judgment and appropriate documentation.
- Technical reviews consistently identify and address errors, inconsistencies, and compliance concerns before returns are finalized.
- Less-experienced tax professionals’ benefit from meaningful technical guidance, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing that improves the quality and consistency of their work.
- Client questions and difficult conversations are handled confidently, professionally, and with appropriate ownership.
- Financial Planners have a trusted tax subject matter expert who can evaluate technical questions and support the accurate execution of client tax strategies.
- Assigned engagements remain organized, with clear visibility into outstanding requirements, deadlines, and potential risks.
- The Senior Tax Accountant contributes to the technical strength, efficiency, and reliability of the tax function while operating within the established departmental structure.
BENEFITS:
We believe in taking care of the people who take care of our clients. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Annual salary range $100,000 - $120,000 depending on experience
- employer-premium paid health, dental, and vision insurance
- Unlimited paid time off (PTO) and flexible scheduling
- Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance — fully covered
- 401(k) retirement plan with 4% company match
- Quarterly clothing stipend to our custom company storefront
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities
- Collaborative, people-first culture that values innovation and accountability
- Engaging workplace perks, including team events, community-focused volunteer initiatives and more