Senior Trust Tax Accountant

Overview

The Wealth & Asset Management Senior Trust Tax Accountant II possesses an advanced comprehension of fiduciary tax compliance. The individual works under minimal supervision directly with internal and external clients—including Trust Officers, Co‑trustees, account owners, grantors, and beneficiaries—to prepare all required tax filings for approximately 750 of the department’s most complex accounts. The individual also assists in the tax return review process and serves as a technical and procedural resource for the department.

• Demonstrate a highly‑developed technical knowledge required to understand and apply the principles of fiduciary accounting and taxation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of advanced trust and estate planning concepts.
• Complete assigned tax returns timely and accurately, preparing appropriate work‑papers and audit trails.
• Show attention to detail when preparing the department’s most complex returns with minimal review.
• Meet production goals and regulatory deadlines, using strong time‑management skills.
• Continuously develop technical skills and remain current with tax and estate laws and regulations.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert in specialty areas such as estates, investment partnerships, charitable trusts, foundations, GST trusts, or tax research.
• Assist department management in the tax return review process.
• Act as an operational resource for the Bank’s tax preparation software and systems.
• Review and finalize less complex fiduciary income tax returns prepared by others.
• Provide timely, candid, and constructive feedback to team members on returns, transactions, and work papers.
• Assist in reviewing additional, more complex tax returns (e.g., Forms 1041, 5227, 1040, 990, 990PF) as directed by management.
• Review and understand trust documents, ensuring accurate taxation of assigned accounts.
• Monitor and analyze transactions in assigned accounts for tax consequences.
• Advise Portfolio Managers and Trust Officers on pertinent tax implications of certain investments.
• Review, analyze, and communicate information provided by individual income tax clients for estimated liabilities and generate individual income tax projections as needed for planning.
• Respond to client and client advisor questions concerning tax liabilities, deductions, credits, and related issues, including correspondence with the IRS and state tax authorities.
• Interact frequently with Investment Advisors regarding income tax issues.
• Participate as a member of Investment Advisor project teams as an income tax subject‑matter expert.
• Research areas of tax law, analyze associated client data, and present internal departmental training on relevant topics as assigned.
• Research Federal, State, and Local tax issues encountered during return preparation.

• May manage and direct interns, co‑ops, and less experienced staff.
• Review work of less experienced staff and provide feedback.
• Provide department managers with feedback used in staff performance reviews.
• Act as an extension of department management and assist as needed.
• Assume responsibility for department special projects.
• Make recommendations for departmental policy and procedure changes.
• Engage in return preparation, review, or issue escalation processes.
• Assist in addressing department‑wide client issues as directed.
• Demonstrate problem‑solving skills to mediate and remedy complex issues with minimal supervision.
• Engage in teamwork and embrace additional responsibilities.
• Assist other team members after completing own responsibilities.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and training on technical fiduciary tax and accounting issues, trust systems, tax preparation software, and department policies and procedures.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in tax or prior public or industry accounting.
• CPA, EA, or MBA preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of accounting and tax subject matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
• Understanding of tax return preparation software.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Sound judgment and ability to apply logical/critical thought processes.
• Strong verbal and written…