Tax & Accounting Preparer

About the Job

The client provides tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services for individuals and businesses. The organization focuses on accuracy, professionalism, and building lasting relationships with clients.

The client is seeking an experienced, dependable, and detail-oriented Tax & Accounting Preparer to manage tax and accounting functions. This position requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, leadership ability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced tax and accounting environment.

What We Offer

• Generous vacation and holiday pay plan

• Ability to independently manage time and responsibilities

• Opportunities to expand tax and accounting knowledge

• Opportunity to grow with an established organization

Work Environment

• Fully in-office position based in Hastings, MN

• Remote and hybrid work are not available

• Occasional travel may be required for client meetings, audits, or other business needs

• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines and high client-service expectations

• Additional hours may be required during tax season and other peak filing periods

Tax Preparation Responsibilities

• Prepare individual and business tax returns, including complex returns.

• Review completed returns for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before filing.

• Research federal, state, and local tax matters as needed.

• Stay current on changes to tax laws, filing requirements, credits, and deductions.

• Handle tax notices, amended returns, correspondence, and other tax matters for assigned clients.

• Identify tax-planning opportunities when appropriate.

• Maintain accurate and complete documentation for assigned tax clients.

Accounting Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain bookkeeping and accounting records for assigned clients.

• Prepare financial statements, account reconciliations, general ledger entries, and adjusting entries.

• Complete month-end, quarter-end, and year-end accounting processes as assigned.

• Handle payroll-related accounting, payroll reporting, sales tax, and other recurring accounting responsibilities.

• Identify missing information, discrepancies, or unusual transactions requiring additional review or client follow-up.

Client & Work Management

• Manage assigned tax and accounting work from beginning through completion.

• Prioritize work based on filing deadlines, client needs, and established office procedures.

• Communicate directly with clients regarding missing documents, questions, deadlines, and the status of their work.

• Maintain appropriate follow-up on outstanding client items.

• Escalate complex matters or situations requiring additional authorization when necessary.

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all client interactions.

Required Qualifications

Experience-Based Qualification

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience in tax preparation, accounting, or a combination of tax and accounting, including significant hands-on experience preparing tax returns and accounting work.

OR

Education & Experience Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Taxation, or a closely related field; and

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in tax preparation, accounting, or a combination of tax and accounting.

All Candidates Must Also Have

• Strong working knowledge of individual and business taxation.

• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and financial statements.

• Experience handling complex tax and accounting matters.

• Ability to research technical tax and accounting questions and apply findings appropriately.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to explain tax and accounting information clearly to clients.

• Ability to learn and work effectively within tax, accounting, payroll, document-management, and workflow systems.

• High level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and commitment to protecting confidential client information.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.

• Master's degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related field.

• Experience working in a public accounting, tax preparation, or professional accounting services environment.

• Experience preparing both individual and business tax returns.

• Experience with payroll accounting, sales tax, bookkeeping, and year-end accounting processes.

• Experience with Intuit ProSeries Professional Tax software is a plus.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Experience working with a significant seasonal workload during tax season.