Senior Business Tax Preparer - S-Corp and Business Returns

About the role

A firm is seeking a Senior Business Tax Preparer with strong experience preparing U.S. business tax returns, especially S-corporation returns and related individual reporting. The role involves working from trial balances and general ledgers, analyzing book-to-tax differences, preparing and reviewing supporting schedules, identifying shareholder-level issues and escalating technical questions appropriately.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and review federal and state business tax returns, primarily Forms 1120-S and 1065 as applicable
• Analyze trial balances, general ledgers, financial statements, fixed-asset schedules, payroll records and prior-year tax returns
• Prepare and review workpapers and schedules, including depreciation, book-to-tax adjustments, M-1 or M-3 support, K-1s and shareholder or partner activity
• Analyze S-corporation items such as shareholder distributions, basis support, officer compensation, shareholder loans, reimbursed expenses and accountable-plan activity
• Tie return inputs to the client's books and document unresolved differences
• Identify issues on state filings, apportionment, payroll, estimated taxes, nexus or owner reporting for escalation
• Review associate-level work for completeness, consistency and adequate documentation
• Prepare clear questions for clients and concise escalation summaries for the CPA or tax manager
• Assist with extensions, estimates, amended returns, notices and tax-organizer follow-up; track deadlines and workflow status
• Follow firm procedures for review, e-file authorization, data security and workpaper retention

Required profile

• 4-7 years of practical U.S. business-tax preparation experience
• Strong experience with Form 1120-S and related shareholder reporting
• Working experience with Form 1065 preferred or required depending on the client portfolio
• Ability to work from trial balances, general ledgers, financial statements and supporting schedules
• Strong understanding of book-to-tax adjustments, depreciation, fixed assets, K-1 reporting and owner activity
• Ability to review workpapers and identify missing support or inconsistent reporting
• Strong written and spoken English, able to explain issues clearly without overclaiming
• Ability to work independently while escalating technical or judgment-sensitive matters appropriately

Required skills

• Experience with at least one professional tax software platform
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills
• Preferred: multi-state business returns or state apportionment, shareholder basis and distribution workpapers, partnership allocations and capital accounts, tax notices, amended returns, extensions and estimates, and experience reviewing or coaching junior tax preparers