An established and growing public accounting firm serving businesses and individuals throughout Vermont, is seeking a Senior Tax Accountant / CPA to join their team in Essex Junction. This is a long-term leadership opportunity for an experienced tax professional who wants meaningful client ownership, direct partner mentorship, and a realistic path to future partnership and equity.
What You'll Do as the Senior Tax Accountant / CPA:
- Prepare federal and state tax returns for individuals, partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations
- Review tax returns, supporting schedules, and workpapers for accuracy and completeness
- Work directly with business owners and individual clients
- Research tax questions and translate findings into practical recommendations
- Identify tax planning opportunities and help clients make informed financial decisions
- Build trusted, long-term relationships with clients
- Collaborate closely with partners and staff on tax engagements
- Support junior team members as your leadership responsibilities grow
- Help improve internal processes and client service practices
- Contribute to the continued growth and long-term succession of the firm
- Take on increasing responsibility for client relationships, review work, and team leadership
- Develop toward a future management and partnership role
Must-Haves as the Senior Tax Accountant / CPA:
- 2-5 years of public accounting tax experience
- Active CPA license or clear eligibility and progress toward licensure
- Experience preparing individual tax returns, including Form 1040
- Experience preparing partnership tax returns, including Form 1065
- Experience preparing corporate tax returns, including Forms 1120 and 1120S
- Strong knowledge of QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
- Strong tax research and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong client service skills
- Ability to manage deadlines and multiple client engagements
- Interest in building a long-term career with a smaller, collaborative firm
- Willingness to work primarily in the office during the first year
Nice-to-Haves as the Senior Tax Accountant / CPA:
- Active CPA license
- Experience reviewing tax returns
- UltraTax experience
- Experience with tax planning and advisory work
- Experience managing direct client relationships
- Previous mentoring or team leadership experience
- Interest in firm management, succession planning, and future equity ownership
- Experience working with closely held businesses and their owners
- Familiarity with Vermont and multistate tax matters
The Company Offers:
- Base salary of $80,000-$110,000, depending on experience
- Performance-based discretionary bonuses
- Tax season bonus opportunities
- Genuine path to future partnership and equity ownership
- Direct mentorship from experienced partners
- Fast-track opportunity into management and leadership
- 401(k) plan with a 4% company match
- Company-paid employee health insurance premium
- Three weeks of paid time off
- Flexible work schedule
- Hybrid scheduling
- Long-term plan for predominantly remote work for CPA staff
- Reasonable busy-season expectations
- Tax-season overtime banked as comp time
- Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
- Team lunches and company outings
- Collaborative, family-oriented culture
- Accessible firm leadership
- Strong work-life balance compared with larger public accounting firms
- Opportunity to live and work near Burlington, with access to skiing, hiking, lakes, mountains, and year-round outdoor recreation