Tax Season Intern

Job Description

Internship | Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC

The Tone:
This is an Internship role at Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC, strategically located in Johnson City, TN. Our established and respected firm prides itself on delivering comprehensive tax and accounting services to a diverse portfolio of individual and business clients throughout the year. This specific seasonal position is critically important during our most demanding period, which typically spans from late January through the crucial April 15th tax deadline. As a Tax Season Intern, you will be an integral part of our team, providing essential support to our experienced Partners and Staff. Your contributions will directly facilitate the efficient management of a significantly increased client workload, ensuring our firm maintains its high standards of service delivery and client satisfaction during this intensive period. This role offers a unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable, hands-on experience within a professional CPA environment.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Internship (Part-time, Seasonal)
• Location: In-person, Johnson City, TN

• Team: Interns work directly under the guidance of Partners and Staff.
• Mission: To provide crucial support in managing increased tax work from clients during the busiest tax season.
• Tech Stack: Accounting software, Tax software, Microsoft Excel.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Document Management & Validation: Scan client tax documents and meticulously review them to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper organization for tax preparation. This involves careful attention to detail to capture all necessary financial information.
• Tax Return Preparation: Assist in the preparation of basic tax returns by compiling necessary information, inputting data, and utilizing firm software under the direct supervision of experienced staff. This provides hands-on exposure to the tax preparation process.
• Data Integration: Accurately import and transfer financial data from various client files into the firm’s workpaper management system, ensuring data integrity and contributing to seamless workflow.
• Professional Support: Provide direct and responsive assistance to Partners and Staff, which may include administrative tasks, research, or other duties as needed to support the efficient workflow and operational needs of the team during peak season.
• Software & Practice Learning: Actively learn to use professional accounting and tax software, gaining practical experience with industry-standard tools. Concurrently, you will develop a foundational understanding of internal CPA practices, client confidentiality, and effective teamwork within a professional setting.

The Must-Haves
• Background: We are seeking highly motivated students currently enrolled in their Junior or Senior year of an undergraduate program, preferably specializing in accounting or a related business field. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, evidenced by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Experience: While no prior professional work experience in an accounting firm is explicitly required for this internship, candidates are expected to bring a foundational understanding of accounting principles from their coursework. This role is designed for learning and practical application.
• Skills: Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to task identification and completion are paramount. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including comfort with various functions and data manipulation, is essential. Candidates must possess foundational IT skills and a clear commitment to maintaining a high degree of professionalism in all interactions and tasks. These attributes are considered significant factors in our selection process.
• Bonus: Successful completion of at least one section of Intermediate accounting coursework, indicating a solid grasp of core accounting concepts, is highly preferred. Additionally, candidates who possess the flexibility and availability to commit to working 24 or more hours per week throughout the intensive spring semester will be given preferential consideration.