Tax Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Tax Associate jobs in Tennessee are in steady demand, with consistent hiring across public accounting firms, corporate tax departments, and financial services companies at every level from entry-level staff through senior associate. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the primary hiring markets, anchored by employers like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and HCA Healthcare, all of which maintain significant Tennessee operations. The most sought-after specialties in Tennessee right now are corporate tax compliance, state and local tax, and individual tax preparation for high-net-worth clients. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Tax Associate
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Under the supervision of the Tax Manager, the Tax Associate supports federal, state, and local tax compliance and planning for the company and its managed entities. Responsibilities include coordinating with outside CPA firms on business and individual tax returns, monitoring filing deadlines, assisting with estimated tax payments, researching tax matters, and reviewing tax-related financial information. The Tax Associate collaborates with the accounting, legal, and management teams to support accurate tax reporting, maintain compliance, and identify opportunities for tax efficiencies.
This position requires a strong foundation in accounting, including financial and tax reporting. This position also requires strong verbal and written communication skills and strong organizational skills. It also requires the ability to communicate results effectively, manage multiple tasks, maintain quality of work, and meet deadlines.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial
- Collaborate with the accounting department to ensure tax workpapers are prepared accurately and on schedule.
- Work directly with outside CPA firms to coordinate accurate and timely business and individual tax return filings.
- Coordinate with outside CPA firms and internal accounting personnel on partnership tax reporting, including Schedule K-1s, partner capital accounts, tax allocations, and related investor tax information.
- Coordinate and monitor the processing of quarterly estimated tax payments for businesses and individuals, ensuring compliance with federal and state payment requirements.
- Maintain a comprehensive tax compliance calendar for all entities, including federal, state, and local filing deadlines, extensions, estimated payments, and other recurring tax obligations.
- Review and advise the accounting department on the timely and accurate preparation of personal property tax returns.
- Provide guidance to the accounting department on the preparation of sales tax returns, ensuring they are accurate and filed on time.
- Review the timely and accurate posting of year-end tax journal entries.
- Ensure compliance with state business license requirements and coordinate the correct, punctual preparation of related state business (gross receipts) tax returns.
- Advise the accounting department as needed on 1099 processing and related vendor setup.
- Review fixed assets, including proposed journal entries for tangible and intangible assets, reviewing depreciation schedules, and ensuring proper documentation for expensed items.
- Partner with the accounting department to develop and maintain capitalization policies, considering their impact on both tax basis and GAAP basis financial statements.
- Coordinate with outside CPA firms to ensure cost segregation studies are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
- Assist with tax analysis related to real estate acquisitions, dispositions, refinancing transactions, cost segregation studies, depreciation, and other real estate-related tax matters.
- Partner with the accounting and legal departments on tax-related tasks required for new entity formation.
- Maintain entity tax records, including taxpayer identification numbers, tax elections, and related compliance documentation.
- Maintain state tax accounts and resolve notices from taxing authorities as needed.
- Coordinate responses to IRS and state tax notices, examinations, and audits under the direction of the Tax Manager.
- Provide other financial analysis as needed.
Operational
- Review organizational documents to ensure a full understanding of all entity structures and the impact those structures have on tax reporting.
- Perform tax research and analysis as requested.
- Research and identify potential tax-saving opportunities and present recommendations to the Tax Manager for evaluation and implementation.
- Identify opportunities to automate and improve reporting and analysis.
- Collaborate with accounting and other departments to achieve company goals and objectives.
Other
- Perform other duties as necessary.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or business with an emphasis in accounting or tax; CPA certification or MBA preferred but not required.
- Experience with partnership taxation, real estate accounting, fixed assets, depreciation, and multi-entity tax reporting preferred.
- One (1) to five (5) years of relevant experience in accounting, tax, and/or financial analysis preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills; ability to work across all levels of the organization as a valued business partner.
- Innovative team player who can multitask and work independently.
- Strong logical and analytical problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage tight deadlines, prioritize workload, and deliver effective results.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel preferred.
- Familiarity with tax software and accounting systems desirable.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
- Potential year-end bonus opportunity
- 401(k) with company match up to 3.5%
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous PTO plan and paid holidays
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
POSITION TYPE:
- This is a full-time position. This position requires the employee to be on site. Remote work is not available for this position.
Cox Universal Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 90 Tax Associate Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Tax Associate JobsTax Associate Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tax Associate Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- H&R Block82

- Clearpoint CPAs PC2C
- BUCHALTER1

- RPM Living1

- Brown Edwards1

What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tax associate jobs across Tennessee.
- Active CPA license or active CPA candidate status recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
- Proficiency with federal and Tennessee state tax codes, including corporate and individual returns
- Experience or coursework in tax research tools such as Thomson Reuters Checkpoint or Bloomberg Tax
- Strong analytical and written communication skills for preparing and reviewing tax documentation
- Ability to manage multiple engagements during peak filing seasons under firm or department deadlines
Tax Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tax associate in Tennessee?
Most tax associate roles in Tennessee require a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, and many employers expect candidates to be actively pursuing CPA licensure. The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy oversees CPA certification in the state, requiring candidates to pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination and meet Tennessee's education and experience requirements. Candidates who are CPA-eligible but not yet licensed are competitive for entry-level and associate-level positions at most firms.
How much do tax associates make in Tennessee?
Tax associates in Tennessee earn a median of about $36,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $27,770 for the lowest 10% to over $77,270 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire tax associates in Tennessee?
Employers hiring tax associates in Tennessee right now include H&R Block, Clearpoint CPAs PC, and BUCHALTER, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's mix of Big Four accounting offices, regional firms, and large corporate tax departments at healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing headquarters makes it a market with diverse hiring across both public accounting and industry.
Which Tennessee cities have the most tax associate jobs?
Johnson City, Nashville, and Dickson have the most tax associate openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives the largest share of demand as the state's financial, healthcare, and corporate headquarters hub, while Memphis supports steady hiring through its logistics, banking, and regional accounting firm presence, and Knoxville draws volume from university-affiliated employers and growing professional services firms in east Tennessee.
Are there remote tax associate jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and more than many comparable professional roles, since tax work is largely document-driven and conducted through cloud-based platforms. About 50% of tax associate openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the flexibility many accounting firms and corporate tax departments now offer. Tax research, return preparation, and client communication tasks tend to be the most consistently offered in remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a tax associate in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing an internship or seasonal associate role at a Tennessee public accounting firm during the January through April filing season, which many firms convert to full-time offers. Large regional and national firms with Tennessee offices, including those based in Nashville and Memphis, run structured new-graduate programs that bring in candidates with limited experience. Adjacent roles in bookkeeping, accounts payable, or financial analyst positions at Tennessee companies also serve as common lateral entry points, and passing even one section of the CPA exam gives candidates a meaningful edge when competing for their first role.
Where can I find and apply to tax associate jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to tax associate jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Tennessee employers across public accounting, corporate tax, and financial services. Find roles that match your experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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