About the role
Excel Tax Group, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Tax Reviewer to serve in a key quality-control and technical-leadership role. You will review complex individual, business, trust, estate, and nonprofit tax returns; identify technical and reporting issues; provide clear guidance to preparers; and help maintain consistently high standards across the firm.
The ideal candidate combines deep tax knowledge with sound professional judgment, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to develop other tax professionals through thoughtful review notes and coaching. This is an opportunity for an accomplished reviewer who wants substantive technical work, professional autonomy, direct access to firm leadership, and a central role in a modern, growing tax practice.
Responsibilities
- Perform detailed technical reviews of federal and state returns for individuals, businesses, trusts, estates, nonprofit organizations, and related entities.
- Review Forms 1040, 1065, 1120-S, 1120, 1041, and 990, including associated schedules, elections, disclosures, and state filings.
- Tie return positions to source documents, workpapers, prior-year returns, depreciation schedules, carryforwards, and client-provided information.
- Identify omitted income, unsupported deductions, incorrect classifications, missed elections, basis limitations, carryover discrepancies, and federal-to-state differences.
- Review complex partnership and S corporation matters, shareholder and partner basis, multistate taxation, rental real estate, capital transactions, passive activities, depreciation, retirement plans, and qualified business income.
- Evaluate whether tax positions are technically supportable and appropriately documented.
- Assess returns for accuracy, completeness, consistency, tax efficiency, and filing readiness.
- Prepare concise, actionable review notes that explain the issue, technical basis, and recommended resolution.
- Collaborate with preparers and senior accountants to resolve review points efficiently.
- Coach tax staff and strengthen technical knowledge, workpaper quality, and preparation skills.
- Research complex federal and state tax matters using authoritative guidance.
- Monitor tax-law developments and translate relevant changes into practical firm procedures.
- Help develop technical standards, review checklists, training materials, and quality-control processes.
- Communicate significant risks, unresolved matters, and planning opportunities to firm leadership.
- Improve standardized workflows and review automation without sacrificing professional judgment.
Required qualifications
- At least seven years of progressively responsible public-accounting tax experience, including substantial experience reviewing returns prepared by others.
- Strong technical proficiency in individual and closely held business taxation.
- Demonstrated experience reviewing complex Forms 1040, 1065, 1120-S, 1120, and 1041.
- Working knowledge of Form 990 and nonprofit tax compliance.
- Strong knowledge of basis, distributions, loss limitations, passive activities, depreciation, capital gains, entity transactions, and multistate reporting.
- Ability to identify compliance errors and legitimate tax-planning opportunities.
- Strong tax-research skills and the ability to support conclusions with authoritative guidance.
- Ability to write precise, constructive, and efficient review notes.
- Strong organization and deadline-management skills during peak periods.
- Professional communication, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and accountability.
- Comfort working in a technology-forward, paperless environment.
Preferred qualifications
- Active CPA or Enrolled Agent credential.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, taxation, or a related field.
- Advanced tax education or substantial continuing professional education.
- Experience with ProConnect Tax Online, Lacerte, or comparable professional tax software.
- Experience with QuickBooks Online and TaxDome or comparable platforms.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or training tax preparers.
- Prior responsibility for final or near-final technical review in a public-accounting firm.
- Experience reviewing California and multistate individual or business returns.
Who will thrive in this role
You are naturally curious and technically rigorous. When something does not reconcile, you investigate it. You distinguish material tax issues from immaterial presentation points, and your review comments help preparers improve rather than merely telling them what to change.
You are comfortable making decisions and recognize when an issue requires additional research, client follow-up, or escalation. You value clear workpapers, disciplined processes, and professional accountability. Most importantly, you take pride in producing work that clients and fellow professionals can trust.
Why join Excel Tax Group?
- Perform substantive tax work with experienced professionals.
- Help shape the firm’s technical and quality-control standards.
- Work in a modern, technology-forward practice that values continuous improvement.
- Exercise professional judgment with meaningful autonomy.
- Coach and develop a talented team.
- Work directly with firm leadership on complex matters and process improvements.
- Build a long-term role with opportunities for expanded technical and leadership responsibility.
Schedule and work environment
This position is [INSERT APPROVED WORK ARRANGEMENT]. Candidates must be available during agreed core business hours and should expect increased workload and deadline sensitivity during tax season. The firm values responsiveness, dependable communication, accountability, and ownership of deadlines.
How to apply
Please submit a résumé and a brief note describing:
1. The types of returns you have prepared and reviewed.
2. Your experience reviewing Forms 1040, 1065, 1120-S, 1120, 1041, and 990.
3. The most technically complex tax areas you regularly handle.
4. Your professional credentials and tax-software experience.
5. Your experience coaching or supervising tax preparers.
6. Your availability and preferred working arrangement.
Applications that clearly demonstrate hands-on technical review experience will receive priority consideration.
Excel Tax Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
