SENIOR ACCOUNTANT at Jeff Baker & Associates in Puyallup, WA

Location: Puyallup, WA

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $85,000 - $150,000 DOE

About JBA

At Jeff Baker & Associates, we believe great accounting is about more than tax returns. We serve as trusted advisors who understand our clients' goals, challenges, and opportunities. Our team works closely with business owners, families, fiduciaries, and high-net-worth individuals to provide proactive tax planning and guidance that creates meaningful impact.

We are building a destination workplace where talented professionals are challenged, supported, and given opportunities to grow. We believe in continuous improvement, accountability, professional development, and investing in our people. We are looking for team members who are curious, proactive, and committed to delivering exceptional service.

Position Overview

This position is designed for an accountant who has developed a strong foundation in tax preparation and is ready to handle more complex engagements with greater independence.

You'll prepare individual and business tax returns, research technical issues, communicate directly with clients, and identify opportunities for tax planning.

You'll also have opportunities to review work prepared by less experienced staff and contribute to their development.

We don't expect you to know every answer. We do expect you to recognize when something needs further investigation, take the initiative to research it, and apply what you've learned.

What You'll Do

Tax Preparation & Technical Work

- Independently prepare individual, partnership, S corporation, and C corporation income tax returns.

- Prepare more complex returns involving multiple income sources, business activities, investments, and real estate transactions.

- Prepare fiduciary, estate, and trust tax returns as experience permits.

- Analyze financial statements, reconcile book and tax differences, and prepare supporting tax workpapers.

- Research federal and state tax issues and document findings and conclusions.

- Identify potential tax planning opportunities and bring recommendations to supervisors or partners.

- Recognize unusual transactions, inconsistencies, and tax positions that require additional consideration.

- Assist with tax projections, estimated tax calculations, and year-round planning engagements.

Client & Engagement Responsibilities

- Take responsibility for assigned engagements from initial preparation through review and completion.

- Communicate directly with clients regarding tax information, outstanding questions, and engagement progress.

- Follow through on client requests and internal assignments without requiring constant reminders.

- Manage competing deadlines and communicate potential delays before they become problems.

- Exercise professional judgment when requesting additional information, avoiding unnecessary client questions or repetitive requests.

- Balance technical accuracy with efficiency and the cost of services to clients.

- Coordinate with accounting and bookkeeping professionals to resolve financial reporting issues affecting tax returns.

Collaboration & Professional Development

- Review selected work prepared by staff accountants, depending on experience.

- Provide constructive feedback and explain the reasoning behind corrections.

- Support developing accountants with research, software questions, and technical concepts.

- Participate in internal training and contribute to improvements in tax workpapers and procedures.

- Remain current on changes in federal and state tax law.

- Continue developing technical judgment, client communication, and review capabilities.

What We're Looking For

- Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

- At least three years of recent public accounting tax experience.

- Strong experience preparing individual and business income tax returns.

- Working knowledge of federal taxation for individuals, partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations.

- Ability to independently research unfamiliar tax issues and apply findings.

- Experience preparing supporting workpapers and reconciling financial information.

- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and professional communication.

- Ability to manage assigned work with appropriate independence.

- Willingness to accept feedback, learn from review comments, and continue developing professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Active CPA or Enrolled Agent credential, or progress toward obtaining one.

- Experience with CCH Axcess Tax.

- Experience with multistate taxation, real estate transactions, and business tax planning.

- Familiarity with fiduciary and estate taxation.

- Experience reviewing work prepared by junior accountants.

- Experience with QuickBooks and financial statement analysis.

- Interest in developing toward a supervisory or advanced technical role.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Senior Tax Accountant at JBA understands the returns they prepare, not just the information entered into the software.

They recognize when a result doesn't make sense, investigate discrepancies, and consider how the tax treatment affects the client.

They take responsibility for their assignments, communicate clearly, and understand that good client service includes both accuracy and efficiency.

They are comfortable working independently but recognize when collaboration or additional guidance is appropriate.

Most importantly, they approach their work with curiosity and a desire to keep improving.

Why JBA?

We're building a firm where talented professionals can take ownership of meaningful work, develop their expertise, and contribute to a collaborative team.

Our clients bring us challenging situations involving business taxation, real estate, estates and trusts, and tax planning. That variety creates opportunities to learn and grow beyond routine tax preparation.

We value curiosity, accountability, independent thinking, and professionals who want to understand the reasoning behind their work.

If you're an experienced tax accountant looking for challenging work, professional growth, and a team that values thoughtful problem-solving, we'd like to hear from you.

Benefits

* Competitive compensation based on experience

* Medical insurance

* 401(k) with employer match

* Paid time off

* Paid holidays

* CPA and EA licensing support

* Continuing professional education

* Professional development opportunities

* Leadership development opportunities

* Clear advancement pathways within the firm

Jeff Baker & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.