The posting
Job Description:
We’re KSM, one of the top 50 largest independent advisory, tax, and audit firms in the United States. But more than our size, it’s our people and culture that set us apart. We believe great things happen when people are supported, challenged, and given the freedom to do their very best work. That’s why we’ve built a workplace where your career and personal life can thrive together – where you have the flexibility to manage your time, the resources to grow, and a team that genuinely cares about your success.
We’ve been employee-owned since 2001, giving every team member a stake in our collective success. This ownership mentality fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence – where new ideas are welcomed, different perspectives are valued, and you’re encouraged to explore what excites you most. Whether you’re expanding your skills, tackling new challenges, or making an impact beyond the office, we provide the resources and support to help you grow in the direction that’s right for you.
At KSM, your contributions matter – not just to the firm, but to your colleagues, clients, and the communities we serve across the U.S. If you’re looking for a place where you can do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow in ways that align with what’s most important to you, we’d love to meet you.
Position Summary:
The Tax Senior Associate serves as a key member of engagement teams supporting a client portfolio with a primary focus on high-net-worth individuals, families, and their related entities, including family investment partnerships, trusts, estates, closely held businesses, and investment entities. The role also provides support to other clients based on experience and business needs.
This individual primarily prepares complex tax returns and workpapers, supports tax compliance and planning matters, and coordinates assigned engagement activities. As experience and engagement needs warrant, the Tax Senior Associate may also review work prepared by Associates. The individual communicates with clients and engagement leaders, mentors Associates, collaborates with Managers, Senior Managers, Partners, and specialty tax professionals, and continues building the technical and leadership skills needed to progress within the firm.
Responsibilities:
- Support a client portfolio focused primarily on high-net-worth individuals, families, and related trusts, family investment partnerships, closely held businesses, and investment entities, while also supporting other clients within the team's portfolio.
- Prepare complex individual, fiduciary, partnership, S corporation, gift, and estate tax returns, workpapers, and related deliverables, as applicable to the client portfolio.
- As experience and engagement needs warrant, review basic federal, state, and local tax returns and related workpapers for accuracy and completeness under manager supervision, ensuring compliance with firm standards and tax regulations.
- Coordinate day-to-day activities on assigned engagements, including tracking open items, monitoring deadlines, communicating status, and escalating technical, staffing, or timing issues to engagement leaders.
- Communicate with clients and their advisors to gather information, resolve routine questions, provide engagement updates, and support year-round tax compliance and planning activities under the direction of engagement leaders.
- Assist with tax planning and the resolution of complex tax compliance issues by conducting technical research, summarizing findings, collaborating with Federal, SALT, and other specialty professionals, and escalating issues or recommendations to engagement leaders as appropriate.
- Perform thorough self-review of work to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with firm and professional standards.
- Mentor Associates through day-to-day training, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing while modeling strong client service and teamwork.
- Maintain proficiency in firm technology and tax systems while supporting team members in their effective use.
- Identify opportunities to connect clients with KSM specialists and additional services, communicating opportunities to Managers and engagement leaders.
- Stay current on federal, state, and local tax laws, regulatory developments, and industry trends to support clients and engagement teams.
- Contribute to firm, practice, and operational initiatives that improve processes, enhance the client experience, and support strategic priorities.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- CPA license or active progress towards CPA license strongly preferred
- Minimum of 3 years of related experience in public accounting with a strong technical background in high-net-worth individual taxation
- Bachelors or Master's degree in accounting
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Client (internal and external) service oriented
- Creative and persistent problem solver
- Ability to handle sensitive situations and confidential information
- Flexible and adaptable
- Ability to coordinate and maintain follow-up on a number of projects simultaneously
- Ability to prioritize changing workloads
- Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and be resourceful
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, veteran status, or any other protected category.
KSM only accepts resumes directly submitted by a candidate and referrals submitted by current KSM employees. Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles sent by staffing agencies and fee-based referral services will not be considered outside of a signed KSM vendor contract. KSM will not pay a fee to recruiters or agencies that do not have a signed KSM vendor contract.
