Strategic Employment Partners (SEP)

Senior Accountant (Trust & Estates)

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP)  •  $80k - $120k/yr  •  Villa Park, IL (Hybrid)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

For over 100 years, we've been the go-to CPA firm for closely held businesses, high-net-worth individuals and families, and not-for-profit organizations in Chicago's western suburbs. We've stayed independent by choice — we've never sold or merged into a larger practice, and we don't plan to start now. Estate and trust planning has long been one of our core specialties, reflecting the deep, lasting relationships we build with our clients.

About the Role

We're looking for a Senior Tax Accountant with real trust and estate tax experience to join our established, independent public accounting firm in the western Chicago suburbs. Trust and estate work isn't a side skill here — it's one of our core specializations. Whether you're already deep in this work or ready to grow into becoming our go-to trust & estate resource, you'll have direct client contact from day one.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and/or review trust, estate, and gift tax returns
  • Support closely held business clients with S-corporation and partnership tax workWork directly with clients as a trusted point of contact
  • Build toward a deeper specialization in trust and estate taxation over time, with the potential to become the firm's primary authority in this area
  • Stay current on federal and Illinois tax law affecting closely held businesses, individuals, trusts, and estates

Qualifications

  • At least 4 years of public accounting experience preparing/reviewing income tax returns, with recent (2023 or later) public accounting experience
  • Strong, hands-on experience with trust and estate tax returns
  • Working knowledge of federal and Illinois tax law for closely held businesses (primarily S corporations and partnerships) and individuals
  • CPA license or EA credential preferred, not required
  • Must already reside in the Chicagoland area — relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are not available
  • Able to work onsite full-time; hybrid scheduling is not available until 8+ years of individual experience
  • Comfortable with a seasonal workload of 55+ hours/week during busy periods (January–April 15 and August–October 15), including some Saturdays

Pay range and compensation package

Base salary in the $80,000–$120,000 range, open to negotiation based on experience. Overtime bonus structure based on annual billable hours. Lifetime 15% commission on new business brought into the firm. 9% discretionary profit-sharing contribution to 401(k), delivered consistently for 20+ years. Full health, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance. Paid vacation and paid overtime/comp time. Long-term stability at a firm with 100+ years of history and no intention of selling or merging, plus a genuine partnership track and room to specialize.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP)

About Strategic Employment Partners (SEP)

Take Advantage of SEP’s Vast Network of Contacts

SEP bridges connections between companies and people, and helps to develop forward-thinking organizations.

SEP connects the world’s top talent—that’s you!—with the world’s best companies. Our team of talented recruitment specialists invest time in understanding your career aspirations so that we can help you find a role suited to your goals that brings out your full potential.

Solutions for Today and Beyond

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP) is a premier Full Service Advisory and Recruiting firm with offices from coast to coast.

We go beyond the traditional staffing model in order to bring you customized solutions that work in today’s economy.

We have offices in Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and New York.

Industry
HR & Recruiting
Company Size
51-200 employees
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Year Founded
2006
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