Tax Preparer
Tax Associate
Location: Santa Maria, CA 93454
Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Work Model: Fully On-Site
Compensation: $70,000–$90,000 base salary BOE + benefits
Overview
CornerStone Professional Placement has partnered with a well-established CPA firm in Santa Maria, CA, that provides personalized tax and accounting services to individuals and small businesses.
The firm is seeking a Tax Associate to join its growing practice. This is a full-time, on-site opportunity offering a professional, collaborative work environment with mentorship from experienced CPAs. The ideal candidate has prior experience preparing individual and small business returns in a public accounting setting and enjoys building client relationships through accurate and timely work.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and file federal and state income tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and small businesses
- Review financial records, supporting documents, and prior-year filings for accuracy and completeness
- Identify deductions, credits, and adjustments to optimize client outcomes
- Communicate with clients to gather information and clarify tax-related questions
- Maintain organized client files and ensure confidentiality of all information
- Stay up to date on current tax laws and filing requirements
- Support senior accountants and CPAs during busy season and assist with year-end projects.
Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience in tax preparation or public accounting (CPA firm experience strongly preferred)
- Working knowledge of federal and California state tax laws
- Proficiency with tax preparation software (e.g., Drake, Lacerte, ProSeries, or similar)
- Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management
- Strong interpersonal and written communication skills
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field preferred
- Valid PTIN required (or ability to obtain before start date)