Trust and Estates Fiduciary Accounting Specialist

Overview

• This position offers flexibility in location and may be based at our Corporate Headquarters in Ithaca, NY, or at our offices in Pittsford, Batavia, Syracuse, Mt. Kisco, NY and Wyomissing, PA. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at least three (3) days per week .***
  
  

Position Summary

As a member of the TFA Fiduciary Team, the individual in this role will prepare detailed fiduciary accounting and draft estate and fiduciary tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant laws. This role gathers and monitors necessary information, coordinates transaction and asset reporting, and serves as a point of contact for tax-related matters. Additionally, this individual will manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, and demonstrate flexibility in taking on new challenges. Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in financial analysis and industry software are essential for this role.

Position Goals

• Fiduciary Accounting Excellence - Independently prepare detailed fiduciary accountings for estates and trusts, ensuring accuracy, legal compliance, and timely delivery to internal and external stakeholders.
• Tax Reporting Accuracy - Draft estate and fiduciary tax returns in collaboration with internal departments, maintaining compliance with federal and state tax laws while ensuring thorough documentation and audit readiness.
• Client and Team Support - Serve as a knowledgeable resource for internal teams and external professionals on fiduciary accounting and tax matters, providing timely and accurate responses to inquiries.
• Workflow and Project Management - Effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities, maintaining organized workflows and tracking progress to meet deadlines and support operational efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement and Adaptability - Demonstrate flexibility in taking on new challenges, engage in ongoing learning, and contribute to process improvements that enhance the quality and efficiency of fiduciary operations.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Fiduciary Accounting Preparation
• Independently prepare detailed fiduciary accountings for estates and trusts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular reviews and reconciliations of financial records to validate data and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain organized documentation to support audit readiness and transparency.
  
  

• Estate and Fiduciary Tax Return Drafting
• Collaborate with internal departments (tax, legal, operations) to gather necessary information for estate and fiduciary tax returns.
• Draft accurate tax returns in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintain comprehensive records of tax-related activities and communications.
• Client and Internal Support
• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external professionals on fiduciary accounting and tax matters.
• Provide timely and accurate responses to inquiries, offering technical expertise and guidance.
• Support team members by sharing knowledge and contributing to a collaborative work environment.
• Workflow and Project Management
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and departmental goals.
• Track progress of ongoing assignments and adjust plans as needed to ensure timely completion.
• Maintain an organized workflow and proactively identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Operational Excellence and Flexibility
• Demonstrate adaptability by taking on new challenges and responsibilities as needed.
• Engage in continuous learning to enhance technical knowledge and job performance.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of fiduciary processes and tools.
  

Key Characteristics

• Customer Focus: Prioritizes customer understanding and feedback to inform decisions, enhance relationships, and improve customer experience. Collaborates across teams to deliver added value through strong partnerships and shared insights.
• Communication: Understands others’ perspectives, fosters open discussions, ensures clarity, and provides feedback with empathy.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates emotional intelligence by actively listening, maintaining professionalism under pressure, and seeking support when navigating challenging interactions. Shows resilience and persistence in the face of adversity while fostering understanding and empathy in workplace relationships
• Planning & Results Orientation: Effectively communicates expectations and allocates resources to ensure timely, high-quality outcomes, while continuously identifying process improvements and addressing performance gaps. Actively contributes to projects through planning, execution, and collaboration n.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Demonstrates strong problem-solving and decision-making skills by proactively identifying root causes, evaluating risks, and using data-driven analysis to navigate ambiguity. Applies the Tompkins decision-making model, takes ownership of outcomes, and confidently recommends solutions based on sound judgment and collaboration
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or Paralegal Certificate preferred
• A minimum of three (3) years’ trust and estate-related experience is preferred
• Proficient in computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience with trust accounting systems and tax software applications, including Wall Street Concepts software and ONESOURCE™ Trust Tax, and ONESOURCE™ Fiduciary Accounting Software
• Good technical experience in fiduciary accounting matters
• Strong interpersonal relations and communication skills (oral and written) must be able to communicate effectively
• The ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, achieve goals, and work under pressure in a dynamic and complex environment. Analytically minded conducting research and drawing conclusions
• Acute attention to detail and an ability to collect, organize and interpret large amounts of data and complex materials
• The ability to gather and understand business requirements and develop creative solutions
  
  

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking throughout Tompkins Community Bank
• Employee Referrals
  
  

EEO Statement

Tompkins is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") with respect to all team members and applicants for employment and a work environment free from discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender non-conformity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please click here

#financialadvisors

Pay Range

USD $68,000.00 - USD $80,000.00 /Yr.