Tax Preparer/Accountant - Kingston, NY

Working at Ulster Savings Bank

At Ulster Savings Bank, you'll be part of an enthusiastic team of people where we believe in working closely together for the benefit of our customers, communities, and each other. When you add this to an environment that allows skills and experience to bring forth growth and change, you'll find plenty of room to grow professionally. We offer an excellent benefit package, including paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental and vision insurance, matching 401k plan, and educational assistance. Final candidates are subject to a pre-employment background check, which will include, but is not limited to credit history.

Ulster Savings Bank is officially Certified by Great Place To Work

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Business Development drives financial performance through profitable revenue growth, goal attainment and exceptional customer service. All employees have a role in Business Development and are responsible for identifying potential opportunities to cross sell all Bank products and/or services to both new and existing clients. Employees will continually prospect, both within and outside of the Bank, to create new lead streams for any and all of the Bank's business lines.

Position Summary:

Prepare and review individual and business tax returns, advise clients and help grow Ulster Financial Group's tax practice. This is an opportunity to help shape the tax area during a growth phase, leading improvements to workflows with AI, automation and other technologies while maintaining accuracy and appropriate controls. Build relationships across the bank, gain visibility through bank-wide initiatives and develop the skills for broader tax leadership while contributing to the organization's overall success.

Position Hours:

• During Tax Season: 45 hours Monday through Saturday, with additional hours as needed to meet seasonal demands
• Outside of Tax Season: Part-time schedule of 1 to 3 days per week, based on business needs.

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Minimum 3 years of progressive tax preparation experience, with substantial hands-on experience independently preparing complex individual and business returns, reviewing work prepared by other staff, and handling partnership, S corporation and C corporation returns. Strong knowledge of individual, business, fiduciary and related federal and state tax matters, including the technical accounting skills to analyze business financial statements and support accurate business-return preparation.
• Minimum 3 years' experience preparing sales tax returns.
• Experience evaluating and improving tax and accounting workflows, using automation, AI and other technologies to increase efficiency, accuracy and client service while maintaining appropriate review and controls. Familiarity with UltraTax CS, Accounting CS, and GruntWorx is helpful.
• Strong client relationship and communication skills, including the ability to advise business owners and explain complex tax matters clearly.
• Business development mindset, with the ability to develop new client relationships and deepen existing relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with Commercial Lending, branches, other bank business lines and subsidiaries to understand customers' full relationships and identify opportunities to meet their tax and accounting needs.
• Strong organizational skills, judgment and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Flexibility to work additional or adjusted hours during tax season and willingness to assist with bookkeeping, sales-tax work and other department needs as priorities shift in a small team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare and review federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals and business entities, including Forms 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S and 1041
• Review returns prepared by other staff and provide coaching and technical guidance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with individual and business clients.
• Partner with Commercial Lending, branches, other Ulster teams and subsidiaries to understand the full scope of existing and prospective customers' relationships and identify appropriate tax and accounting opportunities.
• Develop new tax and accounting relationships through referrals, community involvement and business development activities, and identify when existing tax clients may benefit from services elsewhere in the organization.
• Support the development of junior preparers and support staff and help build greater depth within the department.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and ensure compliance with applicable tax laws, professional standards, bank policies, and information-security requirements.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure all payments are promptly collected.
• Monitor E-file procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management

Ulster Savings Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability or protected veteran status, and any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or Executive Orders.