Job Description
Job Description
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, 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 Tax Associate is responsible for utilizing his or her educational background as well as communication and organizational skills by assisting with the preparation of tax returns, financial statements with disclosures, applying basic areas of GAAP as necessary, documenting and research. In this role, the Associate will be charged with utilizing basic research skills and working with tax software applications to complete simple tax returns for review.
Responsibilities
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 the Rea’s tax quality control policies
- Applies understanding of client’s unique set of circumstances, documentation, and/or other requirements mandated by law and prepares required filings (tax returns) using a system of review and documentation to ensure that the client is in full compliance, while keeping the client’s tax and reporting burden’s as low as possible
- Ensures all data needed to comply with filing requirements are collected; identifies and properly communicates missing items to prepare return
- Utilizes Firm compliance software to maximize efficiency in tax prep process
- Effectively teams with Senior on completion of project (follow-up with Open items list; proactive and constant communication about possible project issues, etc.)
- Documents all significant tax positions
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
- Assists with prep and/or review of income tax provisions
Tax Consulting
- Assists with developing, recommending, and implementing efficient and effective methods to maximize client benefits, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future taxes
- Applies knowledge of home state corporate, partnership and individual tax structure and filing requirements in completing assigned work
- Effectively drafts clear and concise general memorandums and correspondence
- Identifies potential relevant tax issues or opportunities as part of the tax compliance process
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:
- Identifying and considering all applicable policies, laws, rules, and regulations of the firm, regulators, or other authoritative bodies as part of engagement team
- Making constructive suggestions to improve client internal controls and accounting procedures
- Documenting and validating the operating effectiveness of the clients’ internal control system
GAAP
- Applies knowledge and understanding of governing principles; applying these principles to client transactions; and documenting and communicating an understanding and application of these principles by:
- Providing support of conclusions with authoritative literature
- Drafting basic sets of financial statements with disclosures
- Researching intermediate areas of accounting and forming an initial opinion on the correct treatment independently
GAAS
- Applies knowledge and understanding of professional standards; application of the principles contained in professional standards; and the ability to document and communicate an understanding and application of professional standards on an engagement by:
- Developing and applying an intermediate knowledge of auditing theory, a sense of audit skepticism, and the use of Rea audit manuals
- Applying auditing theory to various client situations
- Documenting in line with Rea policy, identifying deviations and notifying more senior team members in order to obtain appropriate approvals
- Applying knowledge to identify instances where testing may be reduced or expanded and notifying more senior team members of the occurrence
- Contributing ideas/opinions to the engagement teams
Methodology
- Applies knowledge and application of Rea standards to guide effective and efficient delivery of quality services and products by:
- Completing all appropriate documentation of Rea and Associates work papers
- Ensuring assigned work is performed in accordance with Rea and Associates methodology and requirements
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:
- Researching basic and intermediate accounting topics and forming an initial opinion on the treatment independently
- Other duties as required
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelors degree in Accounting or other relevant field required
- Masters in Accountancy or other relevant field preferred
Experience:
- Leadership experience preferred
- Accounting based internship preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to follow instructions as directed
- Ability to work effectively in a team setting Takes appropriate actions without being asked
- Seeks advice of appropriate superiors regarding issues related to compliance
- Ability to prepare simple tax returns
- Basic understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit of a basic public and/or private company
- Ability and willingness to travel, as needed
- Knowledge of internal accounting controls and professional standards and regulations (GAAP, GAAS, Sarbanes-Oxley, etc)
- Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a group environment
- Capable of working in a demanding, deadline driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy
Licenses/Certifications:
- Eligible to sit for the CPA exams upon starting employment required
- CPA preferred
Travel:
- Ability to travel as needed
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