Tax Accountant

We have an outstanding career opportunity for a Tax Manager to join a leading firm located in the Bakersfield, CA area.

The Tax Manager is responsible for managing and reviewing complex tax engagements, supervising and developing tax staff, and serving as a primary advisor to clients. This role requires strong technical tax knowledge, effective project-management skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with clients and team members. The Tax Manager ensures accurate, timely, and compliant tax filings while identifying planning opportunities and managing tax risk.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical Tax & Compliance

• Review and approve federal and state income tax returns for individuals, partnerships, S corporations, C corporations, trusts, and estates.
• Manage complex tax matters, including multi-state filings, pass-through entity (PTE) elections, basis and capital-account analysis, depreciation and cost-segregation impacts, and transaction-related tax issues.
• Research and interpret federal and state tax law, regulations, and administrative guidance; prepare technical memoranda and client-facing explanations as needed.
• Oversee responses to IRS and state tax notices, audits, examinations, and information requests.
• Ensure compliance with firm quality-control standards, tax law changes, and filing deadlines.
• Identify and implement tax-planning strategies to minimize client tax exposure and align with business and personal objectives.
• Advise clients on entity selection, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, 1031 exchanges, and succession or exit planning.
• Coordinate with attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals to deliver integrated advisory solutions.
• Proactively communicate tax-law changes and planning opportunities to clients.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients, managing expectations, timelines, and deliverables.
• Communicate complex tax concepts clearly and professionally to non-technical audiences.
• Participate in client meetings, planning sessions, and advisory discussions.
• Support client retention and identification of additional service opportunities.
• Supervise, train, and mentor senior associates, associates, and interns.
• Review work papers and returns prepared by staff, providing constructive feedback and technical guidance.
• Delegate work effectively, manage workloads, and ensure efficient use of staff resources.
• Participate in performance evaluations and professional development planning.

Project & Practice Management

• Manage multiple engagements simultaneously, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and scope are met.
• Coordinate workflow and staffing needs during peak filing seasons.
• Assist in improving tax processes, templates, and internal procedures to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Monitor engagement progress and escalate issues or risks as appropriate.

Basic Hiring Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• CPA license or CPA-eligible.
• 3-8 years of public accounting tax experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal and state taxation for individuals and business entities.
• Experience reviewing tax returns and managing multiple client engagements.
• Proficiency with professional tax software, with a strong preference.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with multi-entity structures, closely held businesses, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Familiarity with tax-planning strategies, cost segregation, PTE taxes, and multi-state compliance.
• Prior experience supervising or reviewing staff work in a public accounting environment.
• Strong client-facing and advisory skill set.