Hickok Waterman Tax
Tax Accountant (Associate / Senior Level)
Hickok Waterman Tax, Campbell, California, us, 95011
Tax Accountant (Title commensurate with experience) – Santa Rosa, CA (Primarily Onsite, with Limited Hybrid Flexibility)
Let’s be honest. The traditional tax career path is often a slow, predictable grind. You spend your first few years buried in mind‑numbing data entry, just waiting for the chance to work on something interesting.
What if you could skip that? What if you could join a firm that uses AI to automate the daily grind, letting you focus on high‑impact work, client strategy, and team collaboration from day one?
At Hickok Waterman Tax, we are a forward‑thinking advisory firm serving the dynamic needs of tech founders, wineries, real estate investors, and high‑net‑worth families. We invest in a modern AI‑powered platform to automate the boring stuff, freeing our team for creative strategy and building strong relationships in a lively, collaborative workspace.
This is our core professional role. Whether you're just starting your career or you're an experienced senior preparer, we provide the mentorship, technology, and clear career path for you to grow.
Responsibilities
Prepare & Analyze:
You'll prepare a wide range of complex returns (1040, 1065, 1120S, 1041) for your team's client portfolio. As you grow, you'll move from assisting to owning these complex engagements.
Leverage Technology:
You will use our developing AI tools to assist with preparation, validate outputs, and help us improve our systems. You'll focus on analysis, not data entry.
Collaborate & Solve Problems:
You'll work hand‑in‑hand with your team's Client Relationship Lead (CRL) and Senior Tax Reviewer, participating in daily huddles and helping to solve client challenges.
Grow into a Leader (If You Choose):
As you gain experience, you will have the opportunity to take on more. This includes performing the first‑level review of work from Document Specialists and new Associates, and mentoring them to help them succeed. Or you can choose to grow as a deep technical specialist—we value both paths.
Qualifications
Core Essentials (for all levels):
Active PTIN (or ability to obtain prior to start).
1+ years of tax‑related experience (internships, VITA, or relevant coursework all count; recent grads are encouraged to apply).
A foundational knowledge of tax concepts and an eagerness to learn and research.
Strong attention to detail and a collaborative, “we, not a me” mindset.
High comfort with technology and a readiness to learn our modern tech stack (CCH Axcess, AI tools, etc.).
Our Ideal Senior‑Level Candidate Also Brings:
3‑5+ years of progressive tax preparation experience.
An active CPA or EA license (or in the final stages of completion).
A proven ability to independently handle complex entity (1065/1120S) and HNW individual returns.
A genuine passion for mentoring and reviewing the work of others.
A Clear Career Path:
We are committed to your growth. You'll have a path from Tax Accountant to Senior Tax Accountant, with opportunities to advance to Senior Tax Reviewer or Client Relationship Lead, or to become a deep technical specialist.
Location & Rhythm:
Santa Rosa, CA. This role is primarily onsite to foster real connections and mentorship, with limited hybrid flexibility. Our tech and planning smooth out compliance peaks for a more balanced schedule.
Pay Structure:
This is a full‑time position. The classification (non‑exempt/hourly or exempt/salaried) will be determined by the final role level and compensation, in accordance with California law.
Benefits:
We offer a full suite of benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, a 401(k) with match, generous PTO, flexible summer hours, and fun team‑building events.
How to Apply If our promise to “share knowledge freely, treat people kindly, and let technology handle the monotony” resonates with you, we'd love to connect.
Email your résumé and a brief note to careers@hickokwaterman.com with the subject:
Tax Accountant Application – Santa Rosa .
In your note, share a time (from an internship, class project, or early job) when your attention to detail spotted a potential issue. What did you catch, how did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Our promise: Share knowledge freely, treat people kindly, and let technology handle the monotony.
Hickok Waterman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Let’s be honest. The traditional tax career path is often a slow, predictable grind. You spend your first few years buried in mind‑numbing data entry, just waiting for the chance to work on something interesting.
What if you could skip that? What if you could join a firm that uses AI to automate the daily grind, letting you focus on high‑impact work, client strategy, and team collaboration from day one?
At Hickok Waterman Tax, we are a forward‑thinking advisory firm serving the dynamic needs of tech founders, wineries, real estate investors, and high‑net‑worth families. We invest in a modern AI‑powered platform to automate the boring stuff, freeing our team for creative strategy and building strong relationships in a lively, collaborative workspace.
This is our core professional role. Whether you're just starting your career or you're an experienced senior preparer, we provide the mentorship, technology, and clear career path for you to grow.
Responsibilities
Prepare & Analyze:
You'll prepare a wide range of complex returns (1040, 1065, 1120S, 1041) for your team's client portfolio. As you grow, you'll move from assisting to owning these complex engagements.
Leverage Technology:
You will use our developing AI tools to assist with preparation, validate outputs, and help us improve our systems. You'll focus on analysis, not data entry.
Collaborate & Solve Problems:
You'll work hand‑in‑hand with your team's Client Relationship Lead (CRL) and Senior Tax Reviewer, participating in daily huddles and helping to solve client challenges.
Grow into a Leader (If You Choose):
As you gain experience, you will have the opportunity to take on more. This includes performing the first‑level review of work from Document Specialists and new Associates, and mentoring them to help them succeed. Or you can choose to grow as a deep technical specialist—we value both paths.
Qualifications
Core Essentials (for all levels):
Active PTIN (or ability to obtain prior to start).
1+ years of tax‑related experience (internships, VITA, or relevant coursework all count; recent grads are encouraged to apply).
A foundational knowledge of tax concepts and an eagerness to learn and research.
Strong attention to detail and a collaborative, “we, not a me” mindset.
High comfort with technology and a readiness to learn our modern tech stack (CCH Axcess, AI tools, etc.).
Our Ideal Senior‑Level Candidate Also Brings:
3‑5+ years of progressive tax preparation experience.
An active CPA or EA license (or in the final stages of completion).
A proven ability to independently handle complex entity (1065/1120S) and HNW individual returns.
A genuine passion for mentoring and reviewing the work of others.
A Clear Career Path:
We are committed to your growth. You'll have a path from Tax Accountant to Senior Tax Accountant, with opportunities to advance to Senior Tax Reviewer or Client Relationship Lead, or to become a deep technical specialist.
Location & Rhythm:
Santa Rosa, CA. This role is primarily onsite to foster real connections and mentorship, with limited hybrid flexibility. Our tech and planning smooth out compliance peaks for a more balanced schedule.
Pay Structure:
This is a full‑time position. The classification (non‑exempt/hourly or exempt/salaried) will be determined by the final role level and compensation, in accordance with California law.
Benefits:
We offer a full suite of benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, a 401(k) with match, generous PTO, flexible summer hours, and fun team‑building events.
How to Apply If our promise to “share knowledge freely, treat people kindly, and let technology handle the monotony” resonates with you, we'd love to connect.
Email your résumé and a brief note to careers@hickokwaterman.com with the subject:
Tax Accountant Application – Santa Rosa .
In your note, share a time (from an internship, class project, or early job) when your attention to detail spotted a potential issue. What did you catch, how did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Our promise: Share knowledge freely, treat people kindly, and let technology handle the monotony.
Hickok Waterman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr