Senior Accountant - San Jose

About the role

The Senior Accountant position is based in San Jose, California, and requires on-site presence at our office. This role involves preparing detailed depreciation calculations, including 754 step-up adjustments, and analyzing book, federal, and state differences on M1 M3 adjustments. You will be responsible for preparing various international reporting forms such as 5471, high tax election, and Section 962 election. Additionally, the position includes preparing and reviewing Form 990 filings, engaging in business development activities with potential new clients, and participating in planning and analysis for tax clients. You will supervise and instruct assistants, including interns and staff-level accountants, ensuring work is completed accurately and efficiently. The role demands a proactive approach, ownership of projects, and effective communication with clients and team members to uphold the firm's reputation for excellence in accounting and consulting services.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Prepare complex depreciation calculations, including 754 step-up depreciation and related adjustments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Analyze and prepare book, federal, and state differences on M1 M3 adjustments to ensure proper reporting and compliance.
• Complete international reporting forms such as Form 5471, high tax election, and Section 962 election, supporting clients with cross-border tax issues.
• Prepare and review Form 990 filings, ensuring accuracy and adherence to IRS requirements.
• Engage in business development activities by identifying and pursuing potential new clients, contributing to the growth of the firm.
• Participate in tax planning and analysis for clients, providing insights and recommendations based on current tax laws and regulations.
• Direct and instruct assistants, including interns and staff accountants, assigning tasks, reviewing work, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Conduct individual tax meetings with clients to discuss tax strategies, filings, and any questions they may have.
• Supervise and mentor interns and staff-level accountants, fostering their professional development and ensuring quality work output.
• Prepare various tax returns, including partnership, S-corp, C-corp, and individual tax returns, ensuring compliance with all relevant tax laws.
• Make book adjustments and recommend procedural improvements to supervisors, managers, or partners to enhance team efficiency and workflow.
• Draft routine correspondence to clients for approval and signature of partners, ensuring clear communication and professional presentation.
• Write comments for management letters, highlighting issues and suggestions for improvement.
• Prepare schedules such as the UBIA assets schedule and depreciation schedules, supporting accurate tax reporting.
• Take ownership of projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality results for clients.
• Collaborate with team members to improve procedures and workflows, contributing to continuous process improvements within the firm.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of tax laws, regulations, and IRS procedures to provide accurate advice and support to clients.
• Support IRS audit processes by providing necessary documentation and assistance, ensuring smooth audit support.
• Research complex tax laws and regulations to stay current and provide informed guidance to clients and team members.
• Communicate effectively with clients, team members, and management to ensure clarity and professionalism in all interactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) in Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in accounting or tax roles, demonstrating practical knowledge and skills.
• Proven experience in preparing individual tax returns for clients, including expatriates' foreign tax credits and related forms such as 2555, 1116, FBAR, and 5471.
• Experience in filing corporate tax returns for LLCs, S-Corporations, C-Corporations, and nonprofits.
• Strong bookkeeping skills, with the ability to prepare asset, liability, and capital account entries accurately.
• Knowledge of analyzing annual and quarterly financial statements to support tax and financial planning.
• Experience in conducting IRS audit support, including preparing documentation and responding to inquiries.
• Ability to research and interpret tax laws and regulations, providing sound advice to clients.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact effectively with clients and team members.
• Must possess the expertise and knowledge sufficient to perform all duties associated with the position, gained through employment experience or education.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and a proactive approach to project ownership and problem-solving.

Nice to have

• Experience working with expatriates' foreign tax credits and related forms, such as 2555, 1116, FBAR, and 5471.
• Familiarity with preparing high-level tax election documents, including high tax election and Section 962 election.
• Prior experience in business development, client relationship management, or sales within an accounting or consulting environment.
• Knowledge of ITAR compliance, if applicable, supporting international client needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective client communication and team collaboration.
• Ability to adapt to evolving tax laws and technological tools used in tax preparation and reporting.

Skills & tools

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Attention to detail and high accuracy in financial and tax reporting.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple projects efficiently.
• Effective communication skills for client interactions and team collaboration.
• Proficiency in tax preparation software and MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new tools and processes as the firm evolves technologically.

Practical notes

• This position is based in San Jose, California, and requires on-site work at our office location.
• The role is full-time and hourly, with a salary range of $83,429 to $98,000 per year.
• Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is .
• The firm promotes a culture of continuous learning and professional growth through programs such as SL forward and SL Cares.
• The position involves direct client interaction, requiring professionalism and excellent communication skills.
• The firm values client service, technical excellence, and team collaboration, fostering an environment of professional development.
• Candidates should be prepared to support IRS audits and research complex tax issues as needed.
• The role offers opportunities for career advancement within a top 100 accounting and consulting firm with a strong regional presence.