Staff Accountant

We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Staff Accountant to handle day-to-day client accounting and tax work. You will own bookkeeping and payroll for a portfolio of small-business clients, prepare and review personal and business tax returns, and produce year-end W-2s and 1099s.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping

• Record and code transactions, including bank and credit card activity, for assigned clients
• Reconcile bank, credit card, loan, and payroll liability accounts monthly
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and resolve variances
• Maintain accurate general ledgers, accruals, depreciation schedules, and fixed asset records
• Prepare year-end adjusting entries and workpapers for tax preparation

Payroll

• Process payroll for clients on weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly cycles
• Calculate and remit federal and North Carolina payroll tax deposits
• Prepare and file quarterly payroll returns (Form 941 and NC-5 / NC-5Q) and state unemployment reports
• Maintain employee records, new-hire reporting, and withholding changes

Tax Preparation and Review

• Prepare individual (Form 1040) returns with associated schedules and North Carolina returns
• Prepare business returns: Form 1120-S, 1065, 1120, and Schedule C, with state filings
• Review returns prepared by other staff for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with source documents
• Identify deductions, credits, and planning opportunities, and flag issues for the CPA
• Respond to client questions and IRS or NC Department of Revenue notices, with CPA oversight
• Track estimated tax payments and extensions

W-2 and 1099 Preparation

• Prepare and file W-2 and W-3 forms for client employers by the January 31 deadline
• Collect vendor W-9s, determine 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting, and prepare and file Forms 1099 and 1096
• Reconcile payroll records to W-2s and Form 941 totals before filing
• Issue corrections (W-2c, corrected 1099s) when needed

General

• Meet client deadlines and keep the firm's practice management system current
• Maintain client confidentiality and follow the firm's data security procedures
• Document processes and assist in training new staff

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, or an associate degree with equivalent experience
• 2+ years of public accounting or bookkeeping experience, including payroll and tax return preparation
• Working knowledge of federal and North Carolina individual and business tax rules
• Experience preparing W-2s and 1099s and reconciling them to payroll and vendor records
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage many deadlines at once
• Clear written and verbal communication with clients and colleagues

Preferred

• CPA license or progress/interest toward the CPA exam; Enrolled Agent (EA) credential or PTIN holder
• Experience reviewing returns prepared by others
• Experience with small-business clients across several industries
• Familiarity with sales tax and NC Department of Revenue filings

Skills and Software

• QuickBooks Desktop and Online for bookkeeping and payroll (required)
• Drake Tax or comparable professional tax software (required)
• Canopy or similar practice management and document tools (preferred)
• Advanced Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, and reconciliations
• Comfort learning new automation and review tools as the firm adopts them
• Solid grasp of GAAP and double-entry accounting

Working Conditions

• Office-based work at a desk with extended computer use
• Standard hours of [8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.], Monday through Friday
• Extended hours are expected during peak periods: late January (W-2 and 1099 deadlines), March, and April (tax season), and again around the October extension deadline
• Occasional client meetings in person or by phone and video