Senior Tax Associate

Rea is a growing Top 100 business advisory & accounting firm providing our clients services in tax, accounting, and business consulting. We have a ‘People First’ culture and we focus on our employees’ well-being and professional development. With over 400 professionals and locations throughout Ohio and Florida, our firm has a culture that respects a work-life balance for our team. We also provide competitive compensation and a robust benefits plan.

The Senior Tax Associate plays a key role in supporting tax compliance and planning by applying research skills and foundational tax knowledge to identify potential tax issues, gather and analyze client information, and participate in tax planning
initiatives. The Senior Tax Associate also uses tax software to prepare returns for review and may supervise and review the work of Associates. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and capable of managing multiple tasks while mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

Control Environment  

• Applies knowledge and understanding of the collective effect of various factors on establishing or enhancing effectiveness, or mitigating the risks, of specific policies and procedures by:  

• Applying knowledge of transactional flow and key transactional cycles to complete audit work  

• Documenting, validating and assessing the design and operating effectiveness of the clients’ internal control system  

• Identifying and communicating suggested improvements to client internal controls and accounting procedures in an effort to reduces risk within the client organization  

• Supervising and reviewing the work of audit staff   

Tax Compliance  

• Ensures both that (a) clients comply with all applicable authorities, while at the same time minimizing their tax and reporting burdens, and (b) self and client service teams comply with all firm policies, standards and Rea’s tax quality control policies.   

• Manages projects by planning tax processes and procedures to be performed with quality  

• Answers preparer questions, and coordinates engagement from onset by communicating expectations and procedures with preparers  

• Conducts detailed reviews on all returns and appropriate review notes for preparers; raises potential tax issues  

• Meets internal deadlines to match the client expectations for timely delivery of service  

• Identifies book-to-tax differences  

ASC 740-10 (FAS 109 and FIN 48) Tax Accruals  

• Correctly and proactively applies Firm policies, standards, and the Rea’s tax quality control policies regarding FAS 109 and FIN 48  

• Prepares provision workpapers and discusses with the appropriate team members  

• Identify and discuss uncertain positions with team members  

• Review & prepare footnote disclosures in compliance with 740-10-55  

Tax Consulting  

• Assists with developing, recommending, and implementing efficient and effective methods to maximize client benefits, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future taxes  

• Identifies consulting opportunities to reduce client’s tax liability 

• Provides efficient and effective support for client consulting projects  

• Gathers relevant information for controversy work, efficiently and effectively  

• Documents all significant tax positions, clearly, correctly, and in accordance with Firm and office policies (by creating memorandums to the files – Tax issues Memos) and ensures that proper documentation is archived to GoFileRoom  

Research

• Applies methodology used to seek or maintain information from authoritative sources and to draw conclusions regarding a target issue based on the information by:  

• Utilizing of internal and external research tools and selecting methodology for routine research requests  

• Documenting and organizing complicated findings in a usable format, based on information obtained from various research resources  

• Identifies when research is needed; clearly and concisely frames issues to be researched; and clearly and concisely reports the analysis  

• Applies most Firm and professional standards for preparation of WTA (Withholding Tax Allowance) and tax returns

Strategy Development

• Introduces and develops new or improved ideas to improve the position of clients, the Firm, or Firm personnel, e.g., by reducing taxes or expenses or providing non-tax benefits  

• May be required to prepare studies of tax implications and offers clients alternative courses of action  

Supervisory Responsibilities:  

• May supervise and manage the day-to-day work assignments of Associates   

• Provides verbal and written performance feedback to Associates, as necessary  

• Acts as coach and/or mentor to Associates  

• Supervises the work assignments of Associates within assigned engagement team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or other relevant field, required   

• Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation or Master’s degree in Business Administration, preferred, but not necessary if eligible for CPA exam
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook  
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat  
• Experience with tax research databases such as BNA and RIA  
• Proficient in tax compliance processing software, including GoFileRoom, AxcessTax, Caseware, BNA Depreciation Software or comparable programs and standard tax workpapers  
• Solid verbal and written communication skills  
• Ability to follow instructions  
• Ability to prepare simple tax returns   
• Capable of taking appropriate action without being asked  
• Seeks advice of appropriate superiors regarding issues and/or problems related to compliance  
• Ability to effectively delegate, work as needed  
• Capable of training other team members   
• Strong analytical, research and critical thinking skills  
• Ability to work well in a team environment  

Benefits

Rea offers a wide variety of benefits to help support our employees' health, wellness and financial goals.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Four (4) weeks PTO
• Twelve (12) paid holidays, of which three (3) are floating holidays

Rea is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including without limitation pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), age, ancestry, military status, national origin, genetic information, disability or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms, conditions or privileges of employment, or any matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

Rea does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies without pre-approval from Rea’s Talent team. Pre-approval is required before any external candidate can be submitted. Rea will not be responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes and for candidates who are sent directly to our hiring managers.