Senior Accountant (Trust & Estates)

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Tax Accountant with real trust and estate tax experience to join an established, independent public accounting firm in the western Chicago suburbs. This is a core specialization within the firm's practice, not a side skill — the right person will either already carry this work or grow into becoming the firm's primary trust & estate resource over time, with 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 work
• Work 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

Required Skills

• Strong, hands-on experience with trust and estate tax returns
• Working knowledge of federal and Illinois tax law for closely held businesses and individuals

Preferred Skills

• CPA license or EA credential preferred, not required