Senior Accountant: Tax

Chicago, IL

Summary

A premier, global law firm is seeking a Senior Accountant: Tax for its Tax and Partnership Accounting department in Chicago. The firm is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. It is a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow and thrive, while supporting the firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration.

This senior-level position supports the Tax and Partnership Accounting Team in managing firm-wide tax compliance, partner tax matters, tax filings, audits, and related reporting obligations. The Senior Tax Accountant prepares, reviews, and coordinates key tax schedules, partner communications, indirect tax filings, and compliance processes while working closely with internal departments, outside tax advisors, and firm partners.

Responsibilities

Prepare the calculation of quarterly income tax estimates, including federal withholding, state non-resident withholding taxes, pass-through entity taxes, and composite taxes

Coordinate the preparation of various tax schedules used for the firm’s U.S. tax returns for multiple entities

Collect and review annual partner state tax elections, including withholding, composite, pass-through entity, and related elections

Support the annual K-1 distribution process to active partners, retired partners, and partner accountants

Liaise with tax preparers and nonresident equity partners to facilitate the nonresident partners’ U.S. tax filings

Review various indirect tax filings prepared by staff, including sales and use taxes, gross receipts taxes, and personal property taxes

Review and draft responses to notices received by the firm and nonresident equity partners regarding U.S. taxes

Coordinate the annual IRS tax residency certificate process

Coordinate responses for firm tax audits, including gathering documentation and working with internal and external stakeholders

Work with tax staff on the fixed asset process, including review of tax depreciation calculations and related reporting

Coordinate tax-related aspects of global secondments, including communications among outside tax advisors, internal payroll departments, and secondees

Perform other duties as assigned or required to meet firm goals and objectives

Qualifications

Education/Training/Certifications

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

CPA or EA certification required

Professional Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressive tax accounting and compliance experience required

Experience with tax compliance required; knowledge of tax rules and regulations preferred

Prior “Big 4” experience preferred

Partnership tax experience preferred

Technical Skills

Strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills required

Familiarity with fixed asset depreciation rules and related fixed asset software; knowledge of BNA Fixed Assets or similar fixed asset programs preferred

Performance Traits

Demonstrates strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and a high degree of accuracy while managing multiple priorities, deliverables, and deadlines

Communicates clearly, professionally, and effectively with firm leadership, partners, internal departments, outside tax advisors, and vendors

Collaborates effectively across offices, departments, and time zones to support the needs of the firm and its partners

Operates well under pressure, adapts to changing priorities, and consistently meets time-sensitive tax and reporting deadlines

Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, demonstrates initiative, and proactively identifies issues requiring follow-up or escalation

Maintains a strong service orientation and anticipates the needs of partners, colleagues, and other stakeholders

Exercises discretion, professionalism, and sound independent judgment when handling confidential partner, tax, financial, and firm information

Applies analytical thinking, strategic judgment, and practical problem-solving skills to complex tax and partnership accounting matters

Compensation: $103,000.00-$136,000.00, plus bonus