Our client is a virtual-first US accounting and advisory firm that works with small and growing business owners, and its tax practice is expanding. They are hiring a remote Tax Preparer (CPA) to prepare individual, business, and trust returns in full compliance with federal and state tax law, working directly inside Lacerte.
This is a hands-on preparer seat with real scope: you own returns from source-document intake through self-review and reviewer handoff, you communicate directly with US business clients, and outside the filing season the work shifts to estimated tax calculations, multi-year projections, and planning support. S-corporation and LLC strategy, estimated tax planning, and multi-state compliance are core to how this firm serves its clients, so the mix of returns is varied and the planning side is real, not an afterthought.
You will report to a US-based reviewer. Success at 90 days looks like this: your returns pass first-round review with minimal diagnostics, your client communication is timely and clear, and your workpaper file is organized enough that any reviewer can pick it up mid-engagement. The rate reflects that this is a CPA-level seat where the firm expects judgment, not just data entry.
Key Responsibilities
Tax Preparation & Filing
- Prepare federal and state returns for Form 1040, Form 1120 / 1120S, Form 1065 and Form 1041
- Enter financial data accurately in Lacerte from source documents and trial balances
- Review prior-year returns and source documents before preparation starts
- Identify deductions, credits, and tax planning opportunities while preparing
- Ensure compliance with current federal and state tax law
Client Communication
- Request missing documentation from clients with clear, itemized requests
- Explain tax results clearly to clients in plain language
- Respond to IRS and state notices and routine filing questions
- Maintain professional client service standards in all correspondence
Quality Control & Review
- Self-review returns before submission to the reviewer
- Resolve discrepancies and review comments with reviewers promptly
- Stay updated on federal and state tax law changes
Documentation & File Management
- Maintain organized workpapers and digital files
- Track filing deadlines, extensions, and estimated payment due dates
- Document tax positions clearly enough to support reviewer sign-off
- Follow client confidentiality and data security protocols
Tax Planning Support
- Assist with quarterly estimated tax calculations
- Support multi-year tax projections during planning engagements
- Surface planning opportunities identified during preparation work
Requirements
- Active CPA license
- Strong public accounting tax preparation experience
- Advanced, hands-on proficiency in Lacerte tax software (required)
- Experience preparing multiple return types (1040, 1120 / 1120S, 1065, 1041)
- Strong knowledge of federal and state tax law
- Proven ability to handle high return volume during US tax season
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy under deadline pressure
- Excellent written and verbal English communication
- Ability to work independently in a fully remote setup
- Reliable computer (Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen or higher recommended), stable high-speed internet and a quiet remote work environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Multi-state tax preparation experience
- Trust and estate (Form 1041) return experience
- QuickBooks experience for source-data reconciliation
- Experience with professional tax research tools
- Prior fully remote accounting or tax work with US clients
- Dual monitor setup
Tools & Software
- Lacerte (primary tax platform, required)
- QuickBooks (source-data reconciliation, preferred)
- Professional tax research tools (preferred)
What Makes You a Great Fit
- You have prepared real 1120S and 1065 returns in a public accounting firm, not just studied them: you can roll forward a prior-year file, tie the trial balance, find the M-1 adjustments and allocate K-1 items without being walked through it.
- You treat Lacerte diagnostics as a to-do list, not background noise, and your returns reach the reviewer clean.
- You would rather send a clear, itemized document request on day one than build a return around a guess.
- You can explain a balance due or a shrinking refund to a business owner in plain English, with the numbers that caused it.
- You hold deadlines during peak season without being chased, and you flag a slipping return before the reviewer has to ask.
- You keep workpapers organized enough that another preparer could pick up your file mid-engagement.
Benefits
What We Offer
- Up to $12/hour
- 100% remote work
- Full-time role
We hire for the long haul, so a steady track record of staying and growing always moves you up our list.
To apply
Ensure your LinkedIn profile and resume are up-to-date and comprehensive (submit a comprehensive resume in English, PDF format), and complete the assessment in this link: https://assessment.aptiveindex.com/s/f0eyORKBaAp6