Demo

Tax Associate

Vaco by Highspring
San Rafael, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
Tax Associate


Our client, a boutique CPA firm, is seeking a Tax Associate to join a collaborative and client-focused tax team.

Location:
San Rafael, CA. This position is primarily hybrid with some schedule flexibility.

Job Description:
This role offers broad exposure across individual, business, and entity-level tax work, with meaningful client interaction and long-term growth potential. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, motivated, and interested in building a career within a smaller firm environment that values hands-on experience and professional development.

Responsibilities:
  • Prepare and review tax returns for individuals, pass-through entities, trusts, non-profits, and small businesses
  • Manage tax engagements from start to finish, including gathering information, preparation, review support, and client communication
  • Conduct tax research and apply appropriate guidance to client situations
  • Work directly with clients to answer questions and provide timely, accurate support
  • Coordinate with internal team members and senior leadership to meet filing deadlines
  • Handle correspondence with taxing authorities as needed
  • Support multiple engagements simultaneously while managing deadlines and priorities
  • Contribute to process improvements and take on expanded responsibilities over time

Requirements:
  • 3 years of experience in public accounting with a focus on tax preparation
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field; CPA, EA, or CPA-candidate preferred
  • Experience in preparing individual (1040) and entity tax returns
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficiency with tax preparation software and Microsoft Excel
  • Ability to work independently and thrive in a deadline-driven environment

Compensation:
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors, including but not limited to:
  • The individual's skill sets, experience, and training;
  • Licensure and certifications;
  • Office location and other geographic considerations;
  • Other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco by Highspring notes that the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .


Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.


Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.


For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.


Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.



  • California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.

  • Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.

  • Residents of all other states may access our policies here.

  • Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.

  • Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.


Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.


Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:


· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;


· licensure and certification requirements;


· office location and other geographic considerations; and


· other business and organizational needs.


With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).

Salary : $100,000 - $125,000

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