What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting/Tax Associate position at WJM CPA?
WHO ARE WE?
WJM CPA is dynamic boutique CPA firm servicing individuals, businesses and their owners with various accounting, tax and business needs. We pride ourselves on assisting clients to achieve their most desired level of success. We're more than an accounting firm. We work with our clients as their partners, and as if their company were our own. In result, our team works proactively with a forward-thinking mindset. We don't believe that clients should only reach out to us once a year to prepare tax returns. We work with our clients year-round to help advise them and save tax dollars. We take an educational approach to our services so that our clients know how every transaction affects their bottom line. Communication is of utmost importance, because we understand that our client's business/career is more than just a way to make a living.
Our team atmosphere is positive, enthusiastic, flexible, and hardworking. We all have the will to perform any task asked of us whether we’ve completed the task before or not. Our collaboration style allows for every team member to contribute for consistent and concise solutions. While we understand a client’s urgency, we keep a relaxed environment to make the office feel like home. At WJM CPA we are a team with leaders looking forward to working together every day while striving to be extraordinary.
WHY CONSIDER THIS?
Culture: Team atmosphere (weekly team meetings & monthly lunch meetings), collaborative, positive, enthusiastic, flexible, hardworking.
Development: Mentorship from the Owner that has a passion for developing every team member and believes in continuing education for all team members, including paying for:
- Existing CPAs – AICPA, MICPA & 1 Networking Group Membership, Required CPE & CPA License Fees
- Aspiring CPAs - CPA Review Program, CPA exam fees (1 attempt), PTO days (day of exam)
Flexibility: Much better work/life balance during tax season, Flexible schedules allowed outside of tax season, Flex Fridays eligible in Summer, opportunities to work from home during off season
Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, 75% covered medical benefits (100% Dental/Vision) and 50% for family in low deductible plan, 4% 401(k) match, PTO (Years 1-4 of service gets 2 weeks, Years 5 get 3 weeks, and part-time positions still get half of these PTO benefits), holidays included, mileage & travel reimbursement, regularly paid for training
WHO ARE YOU?
- Detail-Oriented, including the ability to manage multiple projects
- Customer-Focused
- Results-Driven and Accountable
- Effective Time Manager
- Ability to Work Effectively Independently or as a Team
- Effective Communicator, both written and verbal
- Passionate About Delivering Business Value
- Honesty and Transparency
- Positive Attitude
- The Will to try new challenging tasks
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Job Summary
The Associate position provides support to their direct report/team for a wide array of tax, accounting & business services for clients. This role supports business matters of significance with a willingness to contribute as needed in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The ideal associate will prepare (possibly review) accounting, financial statements and tax returns while not being shy to take on any role of the client service process. This role may also prepare for review, bookkeeping, accounting, financial statements, tax returns and other business services that are needed by clients. No task is above or below any position at WJM CPA. Even the owner possesses a “will do” attitude wherever needed in our firm. We work positively as a team to provide the best working atmosphere and service experience for clients as possible.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
- Currently or pursuing Certified Public Accountant license
- Experience with QuickBooks and other accounting software, proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- Knowledge of the business area and public accounting
- Some experience managing initiatives
- Advanced computer/software skills.
- Maintain a positive attitude, the will to learn new things, and enthusiasm with clients and team
- Passion for providing quality service and working in a team environment to achieve client goals regardless of task
Preferred Qualifications
- 2 years of tax experience (preferably) or attestation/accounting experience
- 2 years of experience with QuickBooks desktop, QuickBooks Online and industry specific software
- Master’s degree in accounting or finance
- Experience with Thomson Reuters CS Tax & Accounting software is a plus
- Experience with Thomson Reuters Onvio is a huge plus
- Experience managing multiple clients on a consistent basis
- Experience preparing business and individual tax returns
- Experience preparing compilations and reviews
- Understanding of project/program development and implementation
- Insight of the strategic goal in relation to the overall organization
Responsibilities
- Prepare tax returns including but not limited to forms 1040, 1065, 1120S, 1120 and state tax returns (primarily Michigan)
- Prepare and/or review bookkeeping including entering transactions and reconciling on a regular basis
- Prepare and/or review annual, quarterly & monthly accounting/financial statements
- Prepare and/or review monthly sales/use tax filings
- Prepare financial planning & analysis reports including but not limited to dashboards, KPI’s and forecasts
- Prepare miscellaneous tax forms/accounting reports as requested
- May help clients manage their accounts receivable and payables
- Respond to client’s tax notices with letters and/or by phone with taxing authorities
- Utilize the firm’s technology/software to the fullest extent possible and make recommendations on improvements
- Conduct research, compile data and assist in resolving more complex tax issues using resources provided by the firm including Checkpoint Edge, E-forms RS, PPC guides and more
- Act as a liaison between the firm, team and clients
- Assists in client management with client management software
- Meet with clients during and outside of tax season to gather or request data
- Assist clients with payroll matters although we do not regularly provide payroll services
- Update and maintain Fixed Asset schedules
- Balance General Ledger accounts
- Post Journal Entries & Monthly Recurring Entries
- Gathering/organizing and accurately enter client data into tax returns for review
- Appropriately communicates difficult situations encountered on engagements to team or reviewer
- Performs self-review of all work prior to submission to team or reviewer
- Proactively demonstrates a willingness to learn and attain greater knowledge on a continual basis; looks to build technical skill base
- Ability to keep client and employee information confidential is required
- Always be transparent to everyone in the firm and clients, which is also a very important part of our culture
- Take responsibility and ownership of work
