Trust & Estate Tax Specialist

Job Description

Job DescriptionPosition Summary:
The Trust & Estate Specialist plays a vital role in managing and preparing tax returns for trusts, estates, and gift taxes, providing expert guidance to clients and team members. This role requires in-depth knowledge of trust and estate taxation, as well as the ability to integrate these concepts with individual, gift, and estate tax planning. The specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant trust tax filings, managing a diverse client portfolio, and guiding clients through the complexities of their trust documents. They mentor and train junior staff, collaborate with attorneys and other professionals to develop effective tax strategies, and seek opportunities to enhance trust tax services. Additionally, the role involves maintaining strong client relationships, advising on tax planning, and contributing to the growth of the trust tax practice.

Essential Functions:

• Technical: Maintain a deep understanding of individual tax return preparation services and the requirements for trusts and estates. Become proficient in preparing and reviewing Form 1041 (Trust Income Tax Returns) and gift tax returns (Form 709). Prepare and review trust returns (1041s), including advanced cases such as newly formed or funded trusts and those in their final year. Familiarize with trust documents to determine types of trusts and their filing requirements. Discuss trust documents with senior staff to enhance technical understanding. Understand and assist with integrating trust taxation with individual, gift, and estate taxes. Provide guidance to team members on asset valuation, property types, and valuation dates as they relate to trusts. Review and advise on the use of various trust structures for asset protection and tax planning. Prepare trust returns for out-of-state filings as required.

• Initiative: Take responsibility for setting up and preparing trust returns for new clients, with minimal assistance. Regularly communicate with clients about various tax-related topics, including new technical developments and strategies in trust taxation. Develop relationships with trust attorneys and other professionals to enhance client service and expand referral networks. Lead by example in mentoring staff and guiding them through trust tax prep. Evaluate and assess new trust engagements to ensure client needs align with practice capabilities.

• Dependability: Serve as the responsible party for assigned trust returns, ensuring timely and accurate filing. Manage multiple clients simultaneously, effectively handling complex, high-priority cases. Lead the execution of trust tax services for assigned clients and maintain positive client relationships.

• Communication: Communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, executors, and trustees about trust and estate taxation. Offer clear and concise tax planning advice and educate clients on trust documents and filings. Mentor staff and serve as a liaison between senior management and tax services to ensure smooth coordination.

• Productivity: Efficiently manage and prioritize multiple trust and estate projects, meeting deadlines and ensuring high-quality outcomes. Maintain balanced workloads during busy times by delegating tasks appropriately and assisting staff as needed. Review prior-year work in progress and monitor billable/non-billable hours.

• Judgment: Make informed decisions regarding complex trust and estate matters, offering sound advice on tax planning, asset management, and liability issues. Identify potential risks and bring concerns to senior staff when necessary. Recommend appropriate trust types and tax strategies based on client needs and situations.

• Cooperation: Foster collaborative relationships with team members and provide mentorship on trust tax matters. Collaborate with attorneys and clients to implement effective tax strategies. Train staff to handle increasingly complex client matters. Work cooperatively to ensure clients receive seamless service.

• Orderliness/Firm Process: Maintain organized workflows for trust tax returns, ensuring compliance with filing requirements and deadlines. Utilize software tools such as UltraTax, CS Fixed Assets, Engagement Manager, QuickBooks, and TValue to manage returns efficiently. Follow established processes for client documents, billing, and collections. Prepare client invoices, monitor accounts receivable, and follow up on payments.

• Community Involvement: Engage with industry events and networking opportunities to expand knowledge and grow referral sources. Contribute to thought leadership by creating content related to trust and estate taxation. Seek opportunities to engage potential clients and accurately price new engagements.

• Other duties: As assigned by senior management.

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Taxation, or related field required.

• CPA or EA designation required.

Essential Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of trust, estate, and gift tax laws and regulations.

• Proficiency in preparing and reviewing 1041s, gift tax returns, and related filings.

• Strong client communication skills.

• Ability to mentor and train staff.

• Skilled in managing multiple clients and projects.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to collaborate with attorneys, executors, and trustees.

• Solid understanding of tax software tools and integration.

Qualifications:

• Ability to safely perform essential job functions in compliance with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards.

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance.

• Compliance with all personnel policies.

Working Conditions:

• Works under guidance of Senior Accountant.

• Performs a limited number of tasks independently.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Location: Onsite

Company DescriptionW3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.

We’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.

Our Services
W3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.

We specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.

We are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.

Our Expertise
W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.

As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.

Company Description

W3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.\r\n\r\nWe’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.\r\n\r\nOur Services\r\nW3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.\r\n\r\nWe specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.\r\n\r\nWe are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.\r\n\r\nOur Expertise\r\nW3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.\r\n\r\nAs a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.