Senior Tax Accountant / Tax Accountant

Overview
We are looking for an experienced tax accountant who wants more than repetitive tax return preparation.

This role is for someone who can prepare business and individual tax returns, think through tax issues, communicate clearly with clients, and help business owners make better tax and financial decisions. Depending on experience, the role may also include review work, tax planning, IRS correspondence, and more direct client management.

We offer an extremely flexible work environment, including flexible scheduling and remote work. This position can be fully remote for the right person, although local candidates are preferred.

That flexibility only works if the person in the role is self-directed, organized, responsive, and able to manage their own workload. We provide support, review, and technical backup, but we do not manage through constant check-ins or micromanagement. The right person will be comfortable owning their work, managing deadlines, and asking good questions when needed.

Why This Role Is Different

This is not a narrow, assembly-line tax prep position.

We work primarily with small business owners, so the work often involves more than entering numbers into software. You may be helping clients understand entity structure, reasonable compensation, deductions, retirement plan options, bookkeeping issues, cash flow, tax notices, or planning opportunities.

Tax season is busy, and deadlines matter. But we try to run the firm in a way that avoids unnecessary chaos, last-minute fire drills, and constant interruption. The goal is to give experienced people the flexibility and autonomy to do good work without a corporate-style management structure getting in the way.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include:

• Preparing individual and business tax returns
• Preparing or assisting with fiduciary and nonprofit tax returns, depending on experience
• Communicating with clients to gather information, explain issues, and resolve questions
• Identifying missing information, unusual items, and potential tax issues before returns are finalized
• Reviewing client financial statements and identifying bookkeeping issues before tax preparation begins
• Coordinating with bookkeepers on client accounting questions
• Drafting IRS and state tax agency correspondence
• Helping clients understand practical tax issues related to their businesses

Depending on experience, higher-level responsibilities may include:

• Reviewing tax returns prepared by other staff
• Handling more complex tax analysis and planning
• Meeting with clients to discuss tax planning and tax return issues
• Helping business owners think through entity structure, compensation, deductions, and broader tax strategy
• Helping improve internal tax processes, checklists, templates, and review procedures

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3+ years of tax preparation or tax accounting experience
• 5+ years preferred
• CPA or EA preferred, but not required
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting preferred, but not required
• Experience with individual and business tax returns
• Experience with S-Corps and partnerships preferred
• Strong written communication skills
• Ability to explain tax issues clearly to clients
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight
• Comfort managing deadlines, priorities, and client follow-up
• A practical, problem-solving mindset

Prior review experience is helpful, but not required. For candidates who can operate closer to a tax manager level – including reviewing returns, handling client relationships, and managing more complex planning work – compensation and responsibilities may be adjusted accordingly.

This is a client-facing position. Technical ability matters, but so does communication. We need someone who can communicate directly with clients, explain what is going on, and help them feel confident that their tax work is being handled carefully.

This May Not Be the Right Fit If...

This may not be the right role for someone looking for a highly structured corporate environment, daily task-by-task supervision, or a narrow return-preparation-only position.

It also may not be the right fit for someone who is uncomfortable working remotely, managing their own deadlines, or communicating directly with clients.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will depend on experience, skill level, and ability to manage work independently.

Expected range:

• $50,000–$80,000 per year
• Bonus opportunities may be available depending on production, client management, and planning work
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Reimbursable expense account
• Flexible schedule
• Remote work available, including fully remote work for the right candidate

About Our Company

Fraim, Cawley & Company, Certified Public Accountants PLLC is a Roanoke, VA CPA firm established in 2013.

We focus primarily on small business owners, tax planning, business structure, and more complex tax issues. Our goal is not simply to prepare tax returns. We help clients understand the bigger picture, make better decisions, and avoid costly tax mistakes.

We are a small firm, so the right person will have a real opportunity to make an impact. This is not a corporate tax department where you are stuck in one narrow lane. The work can involve tax preparation, planning, client communication, business advisory, IRS correspondence, and process improvement.

How to Apply

If you think you may be a fit, please send your name, email address, resume, and a short description of your relevant work history.

You may also include anything else you think we should know in considering you for the position.

All inquiries will be kept completely confidential. Your name will not be shared, and we will not contact your current employer without your permission.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Continuing education credits
• Dependent care reimbursement
• Family leave
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Internet reimbursement
• License reimbursement
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Work from home

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Accounting: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CPA (Preferred)
• Enrolled Agent (Preferred)

Location:

• Roanoke, VA 24016 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person