CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

A Certified Public Accountant is a licensed tax and compliance professional. The license itself marks a hard boundary: without an active CPA credential and the continuing professional education hours that sustain it, a practitioner cannot sign returns or represent clients before the IRS. In a public accounting firm, this role owns a portfolio of individual, corporate, partnership, and non-profit engagements spanning Form 1040 through multi-state S and C corporation filings. It answers to engagement partners and is accountable for the technical accuracy that keeps clients compliant across federal and state tax authorities.

As the Certified Public Accountant, you prepare and review multi-entity tax returns, manage client compliance deadlines, and deliver technical research that reduces tax risk across a diverse engagement portfolio. You work within a firm structure alongside other CPAs and support staff, reporting to engagement partners while maintaining direct client relationships.

Career Impact: Owning a portfolio of multi-entity returns across individual, partnership, and corporate entity types deepens the technical range that distinguishes a senior CPA candidate in the public accounting market.

Business Impact: Clients depend on the accuracy of filed returns and the timeliness of IRS responses to avoid penalties, amended filings, and audit exposure — work this role delivers directly.

Growth Opportunity: The preparation-to-review path in a public firm, combined with exposure to tax planning and practice development, builds the foundation for progression to Tax Manager.

• Review and prepare multi-state tax returns across individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and non-profit entity types to ensure IRS and state compliance.
• Conduct tax research on complex issues and deliver written technical recommendations to engagement partners and clients.
• Manage client compliance deadlines across an active portfolio, coordinating document collection and IRS or state correspondence.
• Supervise and review staff-prepared returns, providing constructive feedback to develop junior team members.
• Perform tax planning and prepare projections for clients to support forward-looking financial decisions.
• Lead compilations, reviews, and audits in accordance with applicable professional standards.
• Monitor changes to federal and state tax regulations and apply updates to active engagements.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of tax preparation and review experience in a public accounting firm, with exposure to multi-entity return types.
• Active CPA license or demonstrated progress toward CPA licensure.
• Working knowledge of federal income tax law and multi-state compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously against firm-set deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for direct client interaction and IRS correspondence.
• Commitment to meeting continuing professional education requirements as mandated by state licensing boards.

• Master's degree in taxation or equivalent advanced study in federal tax law.
• Prior experience preparing fiduciary returns including Form 1041 and estate and gift tax returns including Form 706 and Form 709.
• Familiarity with equity compensation tax reporting instruments including ISO, NQSO, RSU, and ESPP.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising staff through a full tax season engagement cycle.

• Return accuracy rate, measured by error frequency identified at partner review or post-filing.
• Client deadline compliance, tracked as the percentage of returns filed on or before agreed dates.
• IRS and state notice resolution time, reflecting how quickly correspondence is researched and responded to.
• Staff review turnaround, measured in average days from submission to written feedback delivered.
• CPE hours completed annually relative to state licensing minimums.
• Typical tools: Tax preparation software (commonly ProSeries or UltraTax); spreadsheet software (commonly Excel).

• Base Salary Range: $70,000 to $100,000 per year depending on seniority and market.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Not typical at this level in public accounting firms.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually plus firm holidays.
• Common Perks: CPE reimbursement, CPA exam fee coverage, professional dues paid by firm.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may request one at any time. Financial services and public accounting roles require a background check, which employment is contingent upon successfully completing. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Certified Public Accountant at Grant Thornton owns the delivery of accounting improvement and modernization initiatives for federal government clients, applying comprehensive methodologies across high-impact assignments. Working alongside partners and senior management, the role shapes organizational outcomes by directing junior staff, supporting business development, and ensuring enterprise-wide integration of process solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply comprehensive knowledge across key tasks and high impact assignments.
• Plan and lead major work assignments.
• Evaluate performance results and recommend major changes affecting short-term project growth and success.
• Function as a technical expert across multiple project assignments.
• Direct the activities of junior personnel or other staff as necessary.
• Analyze accounting operations, trends, costs, budgetary resources, financial commitments, and obligations to project future trends or provide advice.
• Develop methods for problem solving, process change, and solutions implementation ensuring enterprise-wide integration.
• Guide and assist clients through a wide range of accounting improvement and modernization initiatives.
• Prepare background papers, briefings, and speeches, create web and portal content, and perform similar organizational messaging activities.
• Support customers in the development, implementation, and maintenance of strategy, doctrine, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise, train, and mentor staff throughout the engagement lifecycle and assess performance for engagement reviews.
• Assist partners and senior management on proposals and business development calls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Active CPA certification required.
• 5 years of experience auditing financial statements of federal government agencies or preparing agencies for audit.
• Experience in financial data analysis and reconciliation, financial planning and analysis, and financial policies and procedures.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certain job-related certifications if no job-related advanced degrees.
• Meet or exceed continuing professional education (CPE) requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• Ability to obtain and maintain firm independence and abide by firm ethics requirements.

Embedded within a finance team that partners with the CEO, COO, and Head of Operations, the Certified Public Accountant leads month-end close activities, reconciles billing against the company's revenue recognition policy, and prepares financial statements in accordance with the parent company's finance calendar. Working closely with client account teams, this role advances profitability by establishing new finance processes and ensuring accurate, timely financial reporting across all client accounts.

Core Functions

• Work with the CEO, COO, and Head of Operations to support financial strategy, fiscal planning, hiring, and budgeting.
• Reconcile monthly billing in accordance with the company's revenue recognition policy.
• Generate month-end journal entries and maintain detailed reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare monthly updates, quarterly forecasts, year-end financial statements, and updates in accordance with parent company's finance calendar.
• Provide general ledger explanations during annual review.
• Establish and maintain new finance processes for client accounts including estimates, revenue projections, and billing.
• Work with client account teams to reconcile jobs and analyze profitability.
• Prepare monthly sales and use tax filings for the State and City.
• Compile documentation for external auditors and review and approve expense reports in accordance with the company's travel policy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a bachelor's degree in business with emphasis in accounting required.
• 5+ years of accounting experience or related field.
• Understanding of both US GAAP and International Accounting Standards.
• Marketing or creative agency experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Detail oriented and highly organized with the ability to work on several initiatives simultaneously.
• Collaborative and imaginative approach to problem solving.

Reporting to development management, the Certified Public Accountant prepares monthly financial statements for development properties and oversees cash flow across all development sources. Partnering with development managers to process draw requests and reconcile job cost reports, this role enables accurate financial oversight of multi-project real estate portfolios and ensures all internal and external reporting deadlines are met.

Primary Duties

• Prepare monthly financial statements for development properties including interpreting and analyzing financial reports on a monthly basis.
• Oversee cash flow for all development sources.
• Process, track, and coordinate monthly payments for all development managers with development projects.
• Work with development managers to prepare and review development funding draw requests.
• Reconcile job cost reports to financial statements and development master spreadsheets.
• Perform accurate opening journal entries for all development acquisitions.
• Process, review, and track all general ledger postings of development draws for multiple projects.
• Reconcile bank statements on a monthly basis.
• Meet all internal and external client reporting deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in real estate or property management.
• Knowledge of GAAP required.
• Intermediate-level Excel proficiency required, with proficiency in Word and Outlook.
• Yardi experience is a plus.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others within the organization.

Sitting at the intersection of financial operations and strategic reporting, the Certified Public Accountant performs month-end close activities, variance analysis, and P and L statement preparation for a multi-entity cannabis supply chain company headquartered in Austin, TX. Operating across external audits, budgeting processes, and vendor reconciliation, this role strengthens executive decision-making by delivering accurate, continuous financial intelligence to senior management.

Duties

• Perform variance analysis and explain accounting and business cause and effect in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support a continuous accounting environment by recording transactions and activity on an ongoing basis.
• Perform month end close activities including journal entries, reporting, and GL reconciliations.
• Support audit requests and provide management support for various external and internal audits.
• Organize and update accounting records as needed.
• Research and resolve vendor invoice discrepancies and maintain vendor files and records.
• Prepare P and L statements through third-party audit and CPA-reviewed financials.
• Participate in budgeting processes and brief senior managers regularly on the company's financial status.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field required.
• Licensed CPA or current exam candidate pursuing CPA license.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting including general ledger, month-end close, and preparing financials.
• Solid knowledge of GAAP.
• Experience in start-up companies and knowledge of business services or supply chain solutions a plus.
• Familiarity with CPG goods including manufacturing and distribution preferred.
• QuickBooks and Salesforce experience required.
• Highly proficient in MS Excel and Word including pivot tables with large amounts of data.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong communication skills both verbal and written.

A key member of a well-established financial firm in Prairie Village, KS, the Certified Public Accountant prepares complex tax returns, enforces adherence to federal, state, and local financial legal requirements, and meets one-on-one with clients to deliver superior service. Collaborating across the advisory team, this role builds long-term client relationships and supports the firm's compliance and financial reporting functions.

Functions

• Comply with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements by studying existing.
• Prepare special financial reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information and trends.
• Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping financial information confidential.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and participating in professional societies.
• Prepare complex tax returns for clients with full understanding of tax law.
• Prioritize and manage time effectively to provide outstanding customer service.

Experience and Qualifications

• College degree required.
• Active CPA certification required.
• 5+ years of accounting experience in a busy office.
• Ability to adhere to complex regulatory and compliance requirements from CFO.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and QuickBooks or accounting software.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, interpersonal, and management skills.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and communication skills both verbal and written.
• Self-directed with a desire for continuous learning and a positive attitude.

Accurate financial reporting and regulatory compliance depend on the Certified Public Accountant, who reviews and prepares multi-state tax returns across individual, corporate, and non-profit entity types while managing an accounting team against tight deadlines. Based within a public accounting firm, this role delivers technical tax research, financial statement compilations, and staff supervision to ensure clients meet all compliance obligations.

Accountabilities

• Manage clients in meeting compliance deadlines.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and use tax returns.
• Process monthly payroll deposits and quarterly and annual payroll tax returns for business clients.
• Review and process monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement compilations.
• Perform tax research on complex tax issues and provide technical recommendations.
• Manage accounting team to ensure timely completion of projects with tight deadlines.
• Review accounting team's work and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Assign and supervise staff in the preparation of tax returns.
• Attend ongoing training for personal development.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in accounting from a 4-year accredited school required, Masters in taxation preferred.
• Licensed CPA required.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in a public accounting firm with corporate returns and financial statement compilations.
• Proficient in MS Office and QuickBooks, experienced with ProSeries Software preferred.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to make decisions about complex accounting and tax matters.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and teach and direct other accountants and associates.

As the Certified Public Accountant at ezTaxReturn, this role analyzes individual federal and state tax law changes and translates them into mathematical models that drive annual product updates for a self-preparation e-filing platform serving U.S. taxpayers for over 22 years. The product team relies on this work to ensure tax requirements are accurately reflected in software screens, test case scenarios, and multi-state return preparation.

Activities

• Analyze individual tax law to understand tax law changes as they apply to the product.
• Analyze individual federal and state tax form changes and instructions to identify needed program updates and assess program accuracy.
• Establish specifications for tax flow changes to communicate annual tax law changes.
• Review and update software program screens to ensure tax requirements are accurately reflected.
• Create and review test case scenarios related to tax law changes and new tax product implementation.
• Translate federal and state tax law and form or instruction changes into mathematical models to update the product.
• Prepare multi-state tax returns and assist customers with IRS and state correspondence letters.

Professional Experience

• Active CPA certification required.
• Minimum 3 years of tax planning, policy, and preparation experience.
• Hands-on experience with tax laws and instructions and related application.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong time management skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers and team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.

Certified Public Accountant serves a large financial planning firm as a part-time seasonal specialist, preparing estate, gift, fiduciary, and complex individual income tax returns including Form 706, Form 709, Form 1041, and equity compensation reporting for ESPP and RSU instruments. The work directly supports the firm's tax practice expansion across seven locations in four states by ensuring accuracy, IRS compliance, and timely handling of sensitive client matters.

Job Functions

• Prepare estate and gift tax returns including Form 706 and Form 709.
• Prepare fiduciary income tax returns including Form 1041.
• Prepare S Corp returns and partnership returns including Form 1120S and Form 1065.
• Prepare simple to complex 1040 individual income tax returns including Schedule C and Schedule E.
• Handle equity compensation tax reporting including ISO, NQSO, RSU, and ESPP.
• Prepare Form 114 FBAR filings, estimated taxes, and filing extensions.
• Research and respond to IRS notices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active CPA certification required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with individual and small business tax reporting and compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of tax laws, regulations, and deadlines.
• Familiarity with trust language and estate plans.
• Familiarity with common tax preparation software including CCH ProSystem fx, CCH Axcess, and Lacerte.
• Proficient in Excel with keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle stress of deadlines while maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters tactfully and discreetly.

The Certified Public Accountant at a CPA firm with offices in Norcross, Atlanta, and Marietta delivers tax return preparation and review across individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and non-profits while supervising compilations, reviews, and audits. Working alongside engagement partners, this role builds client relationships, maintains continuing professional education, and contributes to the firm's practice development activities.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and review tax returns for individuals, S and C corporations, partnerships, trusts, and non-profits.
• Perform tax planning and prepare tax projections.
• Communicate and interface with clients.
• Perform and supervise compilations, reviews, and audits.
• Participate in practice development activities.
• Maintain CPA certification and adequate continuing professional education.
• Establish work priorities, plan engagements, and supervise staff.

Technical Qualifications

• Active CPA certification or CPA track required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with a public accounting firm.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and budgets.
• Experience with Ultra Tax, Office Tools, QuickBooks, Xero, and PPC is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and demonstrate leadership ability.

Embedded within a client-focused public accounting practice, the Certified Public Accountant prepares and reviews tax returns across Form 1040, 1120S, 1120, 1065, and 1041, while maintaining communication with the IRS, state agencies, and clients on inquiries and taxation notices. Working closely with the broader team, this role ensures compliance with all company and client privacy procedures and delivers accurate multi-state return preparation under tight deadlines.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Prepare and review tax returns including Form 1040, 1120S, 1120, 1065, and 1041.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state taxation regulations.
• Review, research, and respond to client inquiries and taxation notices.
• Request, collect, and compile all necessary client documents.
• Maintain communication with the IRS, state agencies, and clients.
• Comply with all company and client information privacy procedures.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in accounting and or finance required.
• Active CPA certification required.
• 3-5 years of professional experience with both corporate and individual tax preparation including multi-state returns.
• Broad exposure to federal income taxation and knowledge of tax regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, UltraTax software preferred, and QuickBooks a plus.
• Ability to multitask and complete assignments within time constraints and deadlines.
• Detail oriented with strong organization and communication skills.
• Must be team-oriented but able to work independently.

Reporting to firm leadership, the Certified Public Accountant reviews and prepares complex multi-state tax returns for individuals, estates and trusts, partnerships, and S and C corporations while supervising multiple client engagements simultaneously. Partnering with clients to provide planning, consulting, and expertise, this role mitigates tax risk, responds to IRS and state inquiries, and trains staff to support the firm's continued growth.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Review and prepare complex tax returns including multi-state returns for individuals, estates and trusts, partnerships, and S and C corporations.
• Build relationships and interact with clients to provide excellent planning, consulting, and expertise.
• Identify and mitigate tax risks.
• Respond to inquiries from the IRS, state, and other tax authorities.
• Supervise multiple engagements simultaneously.
• Perform technical research and train staff members.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required, Masters in taxation preferred.
• Active CPA certification required.
• 5+ years of recent experience in tax with a public accounting firm.
• Familiarity with IRS regulations.
• Knowledge of Intuit and Lacerte or ProSeries software is a plus.
• Strong leadership and personnel management skills.
• Ability to work additional hours around deadlines.

As the German Certified Public Accountant, this role serves as the first point of contact for internationally oriented middle market clients, conducting audits and reviews of annual financial statements under US GAAP, HGB, and IFRS while independently managing audit teams. The international assurance team relies on this work to advise clients on cross-border transactions, support business development, and ensure high-quality cooperation with tax consultants across jurisdictions.

Scope of Work

• Act as the first contact for internationally oriented middle market clients.
• Work closely with German clients doing business in the USA in a variety of projects.
• Conduct audits or reviews of annual financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, HGB, and IFRS.
• Manage audit teams independently and in a self-directed manner.
• Cooperate interdisciplinarily with tax consultants.
• Advise clients independently in the design and implementation of international transactions.
• Contribute to business development efforts and think across disciplinary boundaries.

Experience and Qualifications

• Completed degree in business management, economics, or similar field required.
• Completed the German Certified Public Accountant exam required.
• At least 4-5 years of professional experience in assurance services.
• Sound knowledge of German HGB and international accounting standards including IFRS and US GAAP.
• Exceptional English speaking and writing skills.
• Strong team player with the ability to structure, organize, and lead a team of professionals.
• Client-oriented thinking with excellent communication skills and confidence in factual reasoning.

Certified Public Accountant produces accurate financial reports on revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities for Diamond, a company seeking a junior CPA to join its team focused on bookkeeping, auditing, and budget management. The work directly supports organizational financial health by completing regular detailed audits, researching law and regulation changes, and providing consultancy across compensation, asset protection, and data processing systems.

Key Deliverables

• Perform bookkeeping duties including invoicing items and ensuring payments are made on time.
• Create budgets for projects to manage expenses and cash flow.
• Complete regular detailed audits to ensure accuracy in financial documents, expenditures, and investments.
• Prepare, review, and analyze financial reports regarding revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
• Organize and update accounting records as needed in digital and physical formats.
• Act as a consultant in areas including compensation, asset protection, and data processing systems.
• Research industry-specific news to stay up to date with law and regulation changes.

Requirements

• Licensed CPA or degree in accounting required.
• Understanding of federal and state tax laws, liabilities, and regulations.
• In-depth knowledge of bookkeeping, auditing, and budgeting procedures.
• Background in financial statement preparation and reporting is a plus.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to monitor daily transactions and draft reports.