Small Business Associate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Our client is a strategic tax and advisory firm that works with SMB owners and high-net-worth individuals who want more from their tax team than a once-a-year return. The work here goes beyond form completion. Every return is treated as a reflection of the client's full financial picture - and the people doing that work are expected to think that way too.

They are adding a Tax Preparation Specialist to collaboratively manage an assigned client book, produce accurate individual and business returns, and help connect the dots between preparation and the planning opportunities that live inside every file. If you take ownership of your work, sweat the details, and want to be part of a team that actually cares about the quality of what goes out the door - keep reading.

Location: Fully Remote | Time Zone: Eastern or Central | Busy Season Under 50 Hours!!

What's Different About This Role? 

•       Preparation with a purpose. This is not a factory. Every return is treated as an accurate reflection of the client's facts and circumstances - and you are expected to think beyond the forms.

•       Planning visibility. You will flag planning opportunities that surface during prep and escalate them to the advisory team. You are part of a larger process, not a silo.

•       Remote with structure. Fully remote but with consistent team interaction - virtual meetings, semiannual in-person conferences, and a team that expects you to be present and engaged.

•       Certification investment. The firm pays bonuses for CPA ($2,000), EA ($1,500), MSA/MST completion ($2,500), and approved advanced CPE ($500). They are putting money behind your growth.

•       100% benefits coverage. Employee health insurance is fully covered by the firm after 60 days. Education assistance up to $5,250 after one year.

What Will You Be Expected To Do? 

•       Independently manage assigned client files from document intake through completed return - start to finish. While our client has no issue - and in fact, enjoys mentoring/development - what they won't do is hand-hold or babysit

•       Prepare individual returns for small business owners and high-net-worth individuals with accuracy and attention to each client's specific facts and circumstances

•       Prepare business returns including entity returns for small business clients as assigned - 1065/1120S

•       Review client-provided documents for completeness, spot inconsistencies, and follow up on missing or unclear information

•       Identify potential planning opportunities during the preparation process and escalate them to the appropriate team member - entity structure, estimated tax needs, retirement planning, compensation, and similar issues

•       Maintain clean, organized workpapers, notes, and supporting documentation for every file

•       Communicate clearly and professionally with clients on open items, return status, and document requests

•       Follow firm workflows, checklists, and internal systems with precision and accountability

•       Flag bottlenecks, recurring issues, or process gaps and bring practical solutions to the table

•       Stay current on tax law changes and IRS guidance - this is expected, not optional

What Will You Bring To The Table? 

•       1 or more years of experience in public accounting or tax preparation

•       Solid individual return preparation experience - small business owners and high-net-worth individuals preferred

•       Business return experience is a strong plus

•       Strong fundamentals in tax law and preparation - you know what you are doing and why

•       Ability to manage multiple client files and deadlines simultaneously without losing accuracy

•       Clear written and verbal communication - with clients and with the internal team

•       Self-directed and accountable - fully remote means you own your deadlines and your quality

•       An ego-free approach to feedback, problem solving, and doing things the right way even when no one is watching

Preferred: Experience with QuickBooks, ProConnect, Corvee, ClickUp, or Excel. CPA, EA, or active progress toward either. Prior remote work experience in professional services.

Just To Clarify, What This Role Is Not...

•       It is not a review role - you are doing the work, not overseeing someone else doing it

•       It is not a compliance-only seat - you are expected to think about the client's full picture, not just get the return filed

•       It is not a fit for someone who needs a lot of direction or structure provided for them - ownership is the baseline expectation here

What Is The Comp & Work Setup?

•       Base Salary: $68,000 - $80,000 DOE

•       Health Insurance: 100% employee coverage, effective after 60 days

•       Education Assistance: Up to $5,250 annually after one year, subject to approval

•       CPE Access: CPE.com included

•       Certification Bonuses: CPA $2,000 / EA $1,500 / MSA or MST $2,500 / Advanced CPE $500

•       Work Setup: Fully remote, Eastern or Central time zone required

•       In-Person Gatherings: Required virtual meetings and semiannual in-person conferences

If you are a tax professional who takes ownership of your work, cares about doing it right, and wants to be part of a firm that treats preparation as more than a transaction - reach out. This is a team worth being on.