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)