US Tax Accountant (South Africa)

Location: South Africa (100% Remote)

Employment Type: Full-time Independent Contractor (exclusive commitment)

Compensation: $1,700–$2,400 USD per month (commensurate with experience and skills)

About the Job

Be the expert clients trust at the moment it matters most—tax time. As a US Tax Accountant (or Tax Manager, depending on experience), you’ll prepare and review complex returns, lead smart tax planning, and turn dense regulations into practical guidance. You’ll collaborate with US-based teams, mentor junior staff, and help modernize how small businesses and CPA firms handle compliance and advisory.

Note: This is a full-time independent contractor role. Exclusivity is required—no part-time or freelance work once hired.

About the Role

You’ll own the work that keeps leaders calm and compliant: multi-entity 1040/1065/1120/1120-S preparation & review, clear planning memos, airtight workpapers, and timely sign-offs. You’ll spot elections, credits, and apportionment issues before they become problems, then explain them in plain English. You’ll sharpen playbooks—checklists, review notes, and close calendars—so every busy season feels a little less busy.

What You’ll Do

Deep-Dive: Tax Preparation & Review

• Own tax intake end-to-end: Drive organizers, smart document requests, and kickoff calls; map client TBs and prior-year returns to this year’s workplan.

• Entity expertise (1065/1120/1120-S):

  • Build and review K-1s, capital accounts, partner/shareholder basis and at-risk

  • Evaluate §199A (QBI) eligibility and limitations; document wage/UBIA computations.

  • Assess reasonable compensation for S-corp shareholder-employees.

• Individual returns (1040):

  • Prepare clean Schedules A/B/C/D/E, Form 4797, 6252 (installment sales), passive activity loss and basis tracking, 1099-B reconciliations, wash sale checks.

  • Roll forward carryforwards (NOL, capital loss, AMT credits) and manage ES payments/safe harbors.

• Multi-state & SALT: Calculate apportionment (sales/payroll/property), manage nexus updates, composite/non-resident returns, and PTE/SALT cap workaround elections where applicable.

• Credits & elections: Surface and document opportunities (R&D for eligible filers, 179/bonus choices, accounting method changes, late elections relief memos).

• Fixed assets & depreciation: Maintain Form 4562 schedules, asset ledgers, and disposal/partial disposition rules; reconcile book vs tax depreciation.

• Quality & sign-off: Build audit-ready workpapers with clear tick marks, review notes, and support; manage e-file submissions, acknowledgments, and extensions.

• Notices & follow-through: Draft concise responses to IRS/state notices, set reminders for follow-ups, and keep clients calm with clear options and timelines.

• Calendar discipline: Own busy-season checkpoints (intake → prep → review → client Q&A → e-file) and off-season planning (estimates, projections, method changes).

Client Collaboration

• Join standing calls, summarize impacts (cash, rate, timing), and deliver one-page takeaways leaders can act on. Translate code citations into business decisions.

Workflow & Process Improvement

• Standardize SOPs, checklists, and review gates; set up rules/automations in tax and accounting tools to reduce manual steps; capture wins in a living playbook.

Data Integrity

• Keep folders organized, naming consistent, and documentation complete so any reviewer (or auditor) can follow your trail quickly.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline

• 3+ years US Tax experience preparing and reviewing 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S.

• Strong command of US federal & state tax rules; comfort with GAAP and IRS procedures.

• Tax Software Proficiency: ProConnect, UltraTax, Drake, Lacerte (or similar).

• Cloud-first toolkit: QuickBooks Online, Xero; strong Excel/Google Sheets skills (lookups, pivots).

• Communication: Confident written/spoken English; client-facing presence.

• Time-zone alignment: Comfortable working US business hours

• Nice-to-have (but not required):

  • HNW 1040s (K-1s, Sched C/E), multi-state, consolidated or international exposure (GILTI/FTC).

  • Form 990 (nonprofits) and Form 1041 (Estates & Trusts) experience or familiarity

The Ideal Candidate

• You’re detail-obsessed but practical—you know when to go deep and when to move.

• You can explain tough topics (basis, §199A, depreciation methods) without jargon.

• You thrive in busy seasons because your SOPs, checklists, and calendars are dialed in.

• You enjoy coaching others and raising the quality bar.

• You look for automation and small process wins that compound over time.

Compensation & Perks

• Monthly pay in USD: $1,700–$2,400 based on experience & scope.

• Permanent WFH with company-provided equipment (laptop, monitor, accessories).

• 15 days PTO annually + public holidays.

• Exposure to diverse US industries and modern tax stacks.

• Supportive, documentation-first culture with clear review standards.

Contract Status & Exclusivity

Full-time independent contractor based in South Africa. Exclusive commitment required—no part-time or freelance engagements after hire. Conflict-of-interest checks may apply.

How We Work

• Quality-first: Review notes, standardized workpapers, and tidy supporting schedules every time.

• Security: MFA, least-privilege access, and secure file sharing are non-negotiable.

• Collaboration: Slack/Zoom/Teams standups, shared task boards, and predictable review cycles.

Application Process

1. Application & Prescreening

2. Skills & Aptitude Assessment

3. Profile and Pre-interview Preparation

4. Client Interview

5. Employment Offer and Onboarding

Ready to take the next step? Your next big career move starts here!

Click below to send your application and begin your journey with CAS: