Tax Associate Jobs in South Carolina
Tax Associate jobs in South Carolina concentrate heavily in financial services, public accounting, and corporate tax departments, with demand running from entry-level staff roles through senior associate positions at regional CPA firms and large in-house tax teams. The strongest hiring metros are Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville, where employers such as Milliken & Company, Denny's Corporation, and major offices of national accounting firms maintain active tax practices. State and local tax compliance, corporate income tax, and federal tax preparation are the sub-areas drawing the most consistent demand from South Carolina employers. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Tax Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 44+ Tax Associate jobs
Messer & Company, LLC is seeking an experienced accounting professional to join our South Carolina team as a Senior Associate – Tax & Client Accounting.
This position is intended for someone who can take meaningful ownership of client work, communicate directly with clients, and handle a mix of tax preparation, accounting, cleanup, and recurring client-service responsibilities with limited supervision.
The ideal candidate will have public accounting or strong multi-client accounting experience and be comfortable working across both tax and client accounting engagements.
Responsibilities
The Senior Associate will be responsible for a portfolio of individual and business clients and may:
- Prepare individual, partnership, S corporation, and C corporation income tax returns.
- Assist with tax projections, estimated-tax calculations, and year-round tax planning.
- Prepare and review bookkeeping and accounting work for closely held businesses.
- Perform bank, credit-card, loan, payroll, and balance-sheet reconciliations.
- Complete monthly and quarterly closes and prepare financial statements.
- Clean up and correct QuickBooks files and general-ledger issues.
- Identify unusual transactions, missing information, and accounting issues that require follow-up.
- Work directly with clients to obtain information, resolve questions, and keep engagements moving.
- Assist with payroll, sales-tax, 1099, business-license, and other recurring compliance matters.
- Support accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other client accounting functions as needed.
- Maintain organized workpapers and documentation.
- Coordinate with partners, CPAs, and other team members on complex tax and accounting matters.
- Participate in client meetings and provide practical accounting and tax guidance.
- Assist with training and review of work performed by junior staff as experience permits.
- Manage multiple deadlines and engagements during tax season and throughout the year.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of public accounting, tax, or multi-client accounting experience preferred.
- Experience preparing individual and business income tax returns.
- Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks Online and/or QuickBooks Desktop.
- Experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial-statement preparation.
- Familiarity with payroll and sales-tax compliance.
- Strong Excel skills.
- Experience with professional tax software is preferred.
- CPA or EA credential is a plus, but not required.
- CPA exam eligibility or progress toward licensure is also a plus.
What We’re Looking For
The right candidate will be someone who:
- Can independently move work from client information through completion.
- Knows when something in the books or return does not make sense and investigates it.
- Communicates professionally and confidently with clients.
- Follows through on outstanding items without constant reminders.
- Is organized and comfortable managing multiple engagements and deadlines.
- Produces accurate, well-documented work.
- Is willing to ask questions when appropriate but does not require step-by-step supervision.
- Can balance tax-season production with recurring year-round accounting responsibilities.
- Wants to develop stronger tax-planning, advisory, and client-management skills over time.
Growth Opportunity
This role is designed for someone who wants to grow beyond production work.
A successful Senior Associate may have opportunities to assume greater responsibility for client relationships, tax planning, review, staff supervision, advisory work, and firm leadership as Messer & Company continues to grow.
For a candidate pursuing CPA licensure, the firm is interested in supporting continued professional development and advancement.
About Messer & Company
Messer & Company, LLC is a growing CPA and advisory firm serving individuals, closely held businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other clients in South Carolina, West Virginia, and beyond.
Our services include tax preparation and planning, recurring accounting and client accounting services, payroll and compliance support, financial reporting, and business advisory services.
We are focused on building long-term client relationships, providing proactive service, and giving capable professionals the opportunity to take ownership and grow.
Pay: $34.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Messer & Company, LLC is seeking an experienced accounting professional to join our South Carolina team as a Senior Associate – Tax & Client Accounting.
This position is intended for someone who can take meaningful ownership of client work, communicate directly with clients, and handle a mix of tax preparation, accounting, cleanup, and recurring client-service responsibilities with limited supervision.
The ideal candidate will have public accounting or strong multi-client accounting experience and be comfortable working across both tax and client accounting engagements.
Responsibilities
The Senior Associate will be responsible for a portfolio of individual and business clients and may:
- Prepare individual, partnership, S corporation, and C corporation income tax returns.
- Assist with tax projections, estimated-tax calculations, and year-round tax planning.
- Prepare and review bookkeeping and accounting work for closely held businesses.
- Perform bank, credit-card, loan, payroll, and balance-sheet reconciliations.
- Complete monthly and quarterly closes and prepare financial statements.
- Clean up and correct QuickBooks files and general-ledger issues.
- Identify unusual transactions, missing information, and accounting issues that require follow-up.
- Work directly with clients to obtain information, resolve questions, and keep engagements moving.
- Assist with payroll, sales-tax, 1099, business-license, and other recurring compliance matters.
- Support accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other client accounting functions as needed.
- Maintain organized workpapers and documentation.
- Coordinate with partners, CPAs, and other team members on complex tax and accounting matters.
- Participate in client meetings and provide practical accounting and tax guidance.
- Assist with training and review of work performed by junior staff as experience permits.
- Manage multiple deadlines and engagements during tax season and throughout the year.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of public accounting, tax, or multi-client accounting experience preferred.
- Experience preparing individual and business income tax returns.
- Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks Online and/or QuickBooks Desktop.
- Experience with month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial-statement preparation.
- Familiarity with payroll and sales-tax compliance.
- Strong Excel skills.
- Experience with professional tax software is preferred.
- CPA or EA credential is a plus, but not required.
- CPA exam eligibility or progress toward licensure is also a plus.
What We’re Looking For
The right candidate will be someone who:
- Can independently move work from client information through completion.
- Knows when something in the books or return does not make sense and investigates it.
- Communicates professionally and confidently with clients.
- Follows through on outstanding items without constant reminders.
- Is organized and comfortable managing multiple engagements and deadlines.
- Produces accurate, well-documented work.
- Is willing to ask questions when appropriate but does not require step-by-step supervision.
- Can balance tax-season production with recurring year-round accounting responsibilities.
- Wants to develop stronger tax-planning, advisory, and client-management skills over time.
Growth Opportunity
This role is designed for someone who wants to grow beyond production work.
A successful Senior Associate may have opportunities to assume greater responsibility for client relationships, tax planning, review, staff supervision, advisory work, and firm leadership as Messer & Company continues to grow.
For a candidate pursuing CPA licensure, the firm is interested in supporting continued professional development and advancement.
About Messer & Company
Messer & Company, LLC is a growing CPA and advisory firm serving individuals, closely held businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other clients in South Carolina, West Virginia, and beyond.
Our services include tax preparation and planning, recurring accounting and client accounting services, payroll and compliance support, financial reporting, and business advisory services.
We are focused on building long-term client relationships, providing proactive service, and giving capable professionals the opportunity to take ownership and grow.
Pay: $34.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
See All 44 Tax Associate Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tax Associate JobsTax Associate Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tax Associate Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- H&R Block40
- ScanSource1
- Messer & Company1
- WebsterRogers LLP1
- Carr, Riggs & Ingram1
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tax associate jobs across South Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required
- Progress toward or completion of CPA licensure recognized by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal and South Carolina state tax codes and regulations
- Proficiency in tax preparation software such as CCH Axcess, Thomson Reuters, or similar platforms
- Strong analytical skills with experience preparing or reviewing individual or corporate tax returns
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for client and team collaboration
Tax Associate Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tax associate in South Carolina?
You become a tax associate in South Carolina by earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and pursuing CPA licensure through the South Carolina Board of Accountancy, which requires passing the Uniform CPA Exam and meeting the board's education and experience requirements. Most employers hire candidates actively working toward licensure rather than requiring it upfront, so starting the CPA exam process while job searching is a practical approach for new graduates.
How much do tax associates make in South Carolina?
Tax associates in South Carolina earn a median of about $39,220 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $28,040 for the lowest 10% to over $80,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire tax associates in South Carolina?
Companies currently hiring tax associates in South Carolina include H&R Block, ScanSource, and Messer & Company, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. South Carolina's concentration of manufacturing headquarters, regional banks, and mid-size public accounting firms in the Columbia and Greenville corridors means consistent demand across both in-house corporate tax teams and client-facing CPA practices.
Which South Carolina cities have the most tax associate jobs?
Beaufort, Bluffton, and Charleston have the most tax associate openings in South Carolina. Columbia leads as the state capital and home to a dense cluster of government-adjacent businesses and regional accounting firm offices, while Greenville's growing manufacturing and professional services sector and Charleston's expanding financial and hospitality corporate base drive demand in those metros.
Are there remote tax associate jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, and more than most fields, since tax work is largely document-driven and software-based. About 0% of tax associate openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's analytical and desk-based nature. Federal and corporate income tax compliance roles tend to be the most remote-eligible, while positions requiring frequent client meetings or state audit representation are more likely to require in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a tax associate in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to public accounting firms in Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston that run structured new-graduate hiring programs, where you learn under supervising CPAs while working toward licensure. Large regional firms and the South Carolina offices of national firms typically hire staff associates each spring from accounting programs at the University of South Carolina, Clemson, and Furman. Candidates coming from bookkeeping, payroll specialist, or accounting clerk roles have a natural lateral path, and sitting for even one part of the CPA exam before applying gives a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to tax associate jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to tax associate jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly through the listings.
See All 44 Tax Associate Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tax Associate Jobs