Senior Tax Accountant – Preparation & Review

Senior Tax Accountant – Preparation & Review

Cornerstone Tax Service, Inc. | Frankfort, Illinois Full-Time | In-Person Salary: $90,000–$115,000 per year

Company Overview

Cornerstone Tax Service, Inc. is a growing, full-service tax and accounting firm located in Frankfort, Illinois. We serve individuals, families, business owners, trusts, estates, and nonprofit organizations with a strong commitment to technical excellence, personal service, and professional integrity.

As our firm continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced tax professional who wants more than simply another tax-season position. We are looking for someone interested in building a long-term career with our firm, taking ownership of their work, and becoming an important part of our continued growth.

We offer the opportunity to work in a smaller, collaborative firm where experienced professionals are trusted to exercise their judgment, work independently, and have a meaningful impact on both our clients and the firm.

About the Position

This is a senior-level position for an experienced tax professional who is capable of independently managing tax returns from start to finish.

This is not an entry-level or training position.

The successful candidate will have the technical knowledge and professional judgment to prepare the majority of assigned returns independently without requiring routine review of every return.

At the same time, we recognize that complex tax work often benefits from collaboration. We are looking for someone who knows the difference—someone who can confidently handle routine and moderately complex matters independently while recognizing when an unusual, significant, or highly technical issue warrants additional research or discussion.

As our tax team grows, this position will also be responsible for reviewing returns prepared by interns or less-experienced tax staff and providing technical guidance and feedback.

Responsibilities

• Independently prepare federal and state tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, S corporations, trusts, estates, and nonprofit organizations

• Manage assigned tax returns from the initial review of client information through completion

• Review source documents and financial information to identify missing information, inconsistencies, potential tax issues, and planning opportunities

• Exercise professional judgment in resolving tax matters independently and determining when additional research or collaboration is appropriate

• Research complex federal and state tax issues and apply findings to client-specific situations

• Collaborate with the firm's owner on significant transactions, unusual tax matters, complex tax issues, and advanced planning opportunities

• Communicate directly and professionally with clients to obtain necessary information and resolve tax-related questions

• Review client-prepared financial statements, general ledgers, and accounting records for accuracy and tax-reporting implications

• Assist with IRS and state tax notices, examinations, correspondence, and other tax authority matters

• Represent clients before the IRS and other taxing authorities when appropriate

• Identify tax-planning opportunities and assist in developing strategies for individual and business clients

• Stay current on changes in federal and state tax laws and regulations

• As the tax team grows, review tax returns prepared by interns and less-experienced preparers, identify errors or omissions, and provide constructive technical guidance

• Serve as a technical resource to less-experienced staff while recognizing when complex matters should be escalated for additional analysis or collaboration

• Contribute ideas and experience as we continue to improve our processes and grow the firm

What We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate is an experienced tax professional who is comfortable being trusted with their own work.

You should be able to receive an assigned return, evaluate the information provided, identify what is missing, resolve ordinary tax issues, communicate with the client when necessary, and bring the return to completion without requiring another preparer to retrace each step of your work. We do not expect one person to know the answer to every unusual tax question.

We do expect our senior tax professionals to recognize when an issue requires additional research or discussion, develop their own analysis, and collaborate when appropriate.

The right person will value both professional independence and teamwork.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field

• Active CPA license or Enrolled Agent (EA) credential required

• Minimum of 7 years of recent tax preparation experience required; 7–10+ years preferred

• Significant experience independently preparing individual and business tax returns

• Strong experience with Forms 1040, 1065, 1120, and 1120-S

• Experience preparing trusts, estates, and nonprofit returns is highly valued

• Ability to independently prepare returns without requiring routine preparer-level review

• Ability to represent clients before the IRS and assist with IRS examinations, notices, correspondence, and other tax matters

• Ability to review tax returns prepared by less-experienced staff, identify errors or omissions, and provide constructive technical guidance

• Strong working knowledge of federal and state taxation Strong understanding of accounting principles and the ability to analyze general ledgers, balance sheets, and financial statements

• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and/or QuickBooks Desktop is required

• UltraTax CS experience is highly preferred

• Strong tax research, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple engagements and deadlines in a fast-paced tax-season environment

• Ability to work independently while recognizing when collaboration is appropriate

• Commitment to maintaining professional credentials and required continuing education

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means becoming a trusted member of our tax team who can take ownership of assigned work and consistently move returns from receipt through completion.

We value professionals who exercise sound tax judgment, take responsibility for the quality and completeness of their work, know when to research an issue and when to seek another experienced perspective, and communicate effectively with clients and coworkers.

We are looking for someone who can manage their workload without constant oversight, identify issues and opportunities rather than simply entering the information provided, and contribute to a collaborative environment where getting the right answer is more important than working in isolation.

As our tax team expands, this position has the opportunity to take on increased responsibility for reviewing and mentoring less-experienced preparers and contributing to the continued development of the firm's tax practice.

Schedule

Off Season

Monday through Friday, approximately 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m

Tax Season

Tax-season hours increase as workload builds.

• January generally begins near our regular schedule, with additional hours added as necessary.

• During the first part of February, the schedule typically increases to approximately 45–50 hours per week.

• From approximately March 1 through April 15, employees should generally expect approximately 50–60 hours per week, including Saturdays.

• We believe tax-season hours should be driven by workload rather than simply by the calendar. If returns are current and turnaround times permit, tax-season hours may be reduced.

• Some additional hours may also be necessary around the September 15 and October 15 filing deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $90,000–$115,000 per year, commensurate with experience, credentials, technical knowledge, and demonstrated ability to work independently.

• This position is also eligible for a performance-based bonus based on overall contribution to the firm, including productivity, quality of work, professional judgment, client service, independence, and teamwork.

Benefits include:

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Paid time off

• Paid sick time

• Continuing education/CPE support

• Dependent care benefits

• Mileage reimbursement for business-related travel

• Professional and collaborative work environment

• Opportunity for increased responsibility and professional growth as the firm continues to expand

Work Location

This is an in-person position in Frankfort, Illinois. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to Frankfort or relocate before beginning employment.

Join Our Team

For the right person, this is an opportunity to join a growing firm where your experience, professional judgment, and contributions will be valued. If you are an experienced tax professional who enjoys taking ownership of your work, appreciates the autonomy of a smaller firm, values collaboration on complex issues, and wants the opportunity to grow along with the firm, we would like to hear from you.