Senior Tax Associate

Who We Are About Ascend Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com . About Blackman & Sloop At Blackman & Sloop, we hire great people and give them a great place to work. We listen to what our employees value, and being a local firm gives us the advantage of flexibility. Our secret to retaining staff is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We are a single-office firm with approximately 45 full-time staff. For 7 consecutive years, we’ve been honored as one of Accounting Today’s “Best Accounting Firms to Work For”! We've also been recognized by Business North Carolina as one of the “Best Employers in North Carolina” list for the past 4 years. Most recently, we are proud to have received BDO's award for outstanding workplace culture! We believe we’re receiving this recognition based on our commitment to and from each employee, regardless of level. As an independent member of the BDO Alliance, we have access to the resources of BDO USA, LLP, the world's 5th largest accounting and consulting firm. Additionally in April 2024, we made the strategic decision to join Ascend to usher us in our next stage of growth. What this means to you is that while we're a local accounting firm, our reach and expertise have no boundaries. Each member of our staff has access to an unlimited amount of resources to gain valuable information on levels that most local firms do not encounter. The Role As a Senior Tax Associate, you will work on a variety of tax engagements, with a focus on business and individual returns. You will manage clients independently and carry out your outstanding project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills. Our company is team-oriented and prides itself on providing quality work & excellent customer relations in a friendly, superior working environment. Additionally, this position offers substantial growth and advancement opportunity. A dedication to excellent client service and a sense of humor are a must. Key Responsibilities Preparation and/or review of business and individual tax returns. Gather data from client & third party sources and obtained open items if necessary Perform tax research with view for compliance and alternatives to satisfy client's objections Prepare/analyze income tax notices for federal and state jurisdictions Client management and participation in marketing/business development Participation in recruitment and supervision of entry-level staff. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field 3+ years of tax prep and/or review experience Excellent project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills Self-motivator with the ability to multi-task and complete assignments within time constraints and deadlines A strong desire toward career advancement and goal toward future firm ownership Excellent work ethic and a sense of humor are a must! Preferred Qualifications CPA/EA license or candidate Auto dealership industry experience Knowledge of CCH Axcess Tax, CCH Engagement, and QuickBooks Who We Look For A perceptive team-player who excels in a progressive & collaborative environment, blending sharp analytical skills with exceptional communication. A detail-oriented leader who embodies critical thinking & high standards. A proactive professional, committed to delivering…