Tax Preparer, Small Business Returns

Role Overview

• Prepare federal and applicable state returns for small business customers, including 1040, Schedule C, 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 returns.
• Review customer documents, bookkeeping records, year-end financials, prior-year returns, and supporting schedules before preparing the return.
• Identify missing information, inconsistencies, unsupported balances, or bookkeeping issues before the return reaches review.
• Identify bookkeeping issues that affect tax return accuracy, make straightforward supported adjustments when appropriate, and document or escalate anything that must be corrected before filing.
• Communicate directly with customers when information is needed and conduct draft review calls explaining the return, balance due/refund, approval requirements, and next steps in plain language.
• Prepare or support returns involving R&D credits / Form 6765 where applicable, and identify missing documentation or items requiring specialist/advisor review.
• Provide concise status updates, respond promptly to internal and customer-facing messages, and proactively flag blockers or deadline risks.
• Document workpapers, assumptions, adjustments, open questions, customer conversations, and next steps clearly.
• Resolve routine tax preparation questions independently using tax knowledge, research, and internal resources; escalate only when genuinely advisory, legally sensitive, complex, or outside scope.
• Correct prep-related errors or omissions promptly when returned by reviewer feedback.

Requirements

• Valid IRS PTIN.
• Demonstrated U.S. tax preparation experience, including small business returns.
• Experience with at least some of the following: 1040, Schedule C, 1120-S, 1065, and 1120.
• Ability to review financial statements, year-end financials, bookkeeping records, general ledgers, income/expense reports, and supporting documentation.
• Ability to recognize when bookkeeping issues or adjustments affect tax return accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking directly with customers by phone or video.
• Ability to explain tax concepts clearly, calmly, and empathetically to non-tax professionals.
• Strong computer skills and ability to work efficiently across multiple systems in a remote environment.
• Independent ownership, responsiveness, follow-through, and sound judgment within documented workflows.
• Willingness to complete BenchTax’s written technical assessment and customer-communication assessment.
• CPA or Enrolled Agent designation preferred.
• Big 4 Experience: Ernst Young, KPMG, Deloitte, & PWC.
• Experience with R&D credits and Form 6765, including qualified research expenses, payroll tax credit considerations, and substantiation requirements.
• Experience preparing returns for startups, software companies, engineering firms, product-development businesses, or other R&D-heavy clients.
• Experience conducting draft review calls and making or proposing adjusting journal entries.
• Experience with Drake Tax or similar professional tax software.
• Experience in remote tax, accounting, bookkeeping, or client-service environments using tools such as Slack, Google Workspace, Salesforce, customer portals, or workflow trackers.

Benefits

• Must be based in the Mexico City area and available to work North American business hours (8 AM – 4 PM EST or PST)
• Must meet Bench’s minimum hardware and internet requirements for smooth communication and workflow