Tax Senior Associate Jobs in California
Tax Senior Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with concentrated demand across public accounting, corporate tax, and financial services in a state whose size and economic complexity sustain year-round hiring at every level from newly promoted associate through senior. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose are the primary hiring centers, where firms like Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC maintain large California presences and post consistently across their tax practices. The most in-demand specialties are state and local tax, corporate income tax compliance, and international tax. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 217+ Tax Senior Associate jobs
This is a unique opportunity within Cetera Holdings, and we are seeking a Senior Manager, Tax Practice a strategic thinker and experienced CPA or Enrolled Agent who’s passionate about mentoring others and making a real difference for clients. In this role, you’ll help shape the future of our tax offering by leading a growing team, partnering closely with our wealth advisors, and delivering integrated tax strategies that elevate the client experience. If you’re ready to bring leadership, insight, and heart to a firm that values collaboration and innovation, we’d love to meet you.
What you will do:
- Lead and inspire a team of tax professionals by providing mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities for growth
- Collaborate closely with wealth advisors to deliver integrated tax and financial planning strategies that truly serve the client’s full picture
- Engage directly with clients, offering proactive tax advice that supports their long-term goals and builds lasting relationships
- Review and sign complex tax returns—individual, fiduciary, and small business—with a focus on accuracy, strategy, and client value
- Coordinate tax planning activities, including quarterly estimates, projections, and year-end strategies, ensuring clients stay ahead of surprises
- Drive innovation and efficiency within the tax department by improving processes, embracing technology, and enhancing the client experience
- Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives, contributing your expertise to firm-wide efforts that elevate service and impact
- Translate complexity into clarity by crafting thoughtful client communications, technical memos, and planning documents Be a culture builder, fostering collaboration between tax and wealth teams and helping shape a firm where people and clients thrive
What you need to have:
- Active CPA license is required
- A Master’s Degree in Taxation or MBA is preferred
- Five to Ten (5-10) years of recent experience in public accounting, with a focus on preparing federal individual, fiduciary, and small business tax returns (C-Corp, S-Corp, Partnerships)
- Two (2) or more years of management experience in a CPA or tax practice, with the demonstrated ability to grow and develop associates
- Ability to work and deliver the quality product under tight timeframes
- Excellent communication skills must be a team player
- Strong analytical skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Compensation:
The base salary range for this role in Baytown, TX is $170,000 - $205,000, plus a competitive performance-based bonus. Base salary depends on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and location. Salary range may also differ significantly due to geography and cost of labor considerations.
#LI-Hybrid
This is a unique opportunity within Cetera Holdings, and we are seeking a Senior Manager, Tax Practice a strategic thinker and experienced CPA or Enrolled Agent who’s passionate about mentoring others and making a real difference for clients. In this role, you’ll help shape the future of our tax offering by leading a growing team, partnering closely with our wealth advisors, and delivering integrated tax strategies that elevate the client experience. If you’re ready to bring leadership, insight, and heart to a firm that values collaboration and innovation, we’d love to meet you.
What you will do:
- Lead and inspire a team of tax professionals by providing mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities for growth
- Collaborate closely with wealth advisors to deliver integrated tax and financial planning strategies that truly serve the client’s full picture
- Engage directly with clients, offering proactive tax advice that supports their long-term goals and builds lasting relationships
- Review and sign complex tax returns—individual, fiduciary, and small business—with a focus on accuracy, strategy, and client value
- Coordinate tax planning activities, including quarterly estimates, projections, and year-end strategies, ensuring clients stay ahead of surprises
- Drive innovation and efficiency within the tax department by improving processes, embracing technology, and enhancing the client experience
- Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives, contributing your expertise to firm-wide efforts that elevate service and impact
- Translate complexity into clarity by crafting thoughtful client communications, technical memos, and planning documents Be a culture builder, fostering collaboration between tax and wealth teams and helping shape a firm where people and clients thrive
What you need to have:
- Active CPA license is required
- A Master’s Degree in Taxation or MBA is preferred
- Five to Ten (5-10) years of recent experience in public accounting, with a focus on preparing federal individual, fiduciary, and small business tax returns (C-Corp, S-Corp, Partnerships)
- Two (2) or more years of management experience in a CPA or tax practice, with the demonstrated ability to grow and develop associates
- Ability to work and deliver the quality product under tight timeframes
- Excellent communication skills must be a team player
- Strong analytical skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Compensation:
The base salary range for this role in Baytown, TX is $170,000 - $205,000, plus a competitive performance-based bonus. Base salary depends on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and location. Salary range may also differ significantly due to geography and cost of labor considerations.
#LI-Hybrid
See All 217+ Tax Senior Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tax Senior Associate JobsTax Senior Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tax Senior Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BDO16
- Baker Tilly Canada12
- Intuit8
- Deloitte8
- Weaver7
Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing37
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Technology & Software5
- Manufacturing1
- Investment & Asset Management1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tax senior associate jobs across California.
- Active CPA license issued or recognized by the California Board of Accountancy required or in progress
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
- Two to four years of tax experience in public accounting or a corporate tax department
- Proficiency with tax preparation and research software such as CCH Axcess, GoSystem, or OneSource
- Strong working knowledge of federal and California state income tax laws and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple client engagements or business units under deadline pressure
Tax Senior Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tax senior associate in California?
Most tax senior associates in California hold a CPA license issued or recognized by the California Board of Accountancy, which requires passing the Uniform CPA Examination and meeting California's education and experience requirements. Candidates typically start with a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, complete the required semester hours in accounting and business subjects, and gain experience in a public accounting firm or corporate tax department before moving into a senior associate role.
How much do tax senior associates make in California?
Tax senior associates in California earn a median of about $97,050 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $61,770 for the lowest 10% to over $160,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire tax senior associates in California?
Employers hiring tax senior associates in California right now include BDO, Baker Tilly Canada, and Intuit, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of large multinational corporations and major public accounting offices means demand is consistent across both Big Four firms and mid-market practices with significant state and local tax work.
Which California cities have the most tax senior associate jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose have the most tax senior associate openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco drive the largest share of demand given their density of corporate headquarters, financial services firms, and large regional offices of national accounting practices, while San Jose reflects Silicon Valley's concentration of technology companies with complex domestic and international tax needs.
Are there remote tax senior associate jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many professional roles. About 63% of tax senior associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on research, compliance preparation, and review that can be done from anywhere. The portions most likely to remain in-person are client meetings, team reviews, and busy-season collaboration at larger offices.
How can I get hired as a tax senior associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or staff tax role at a California public accounting firm, where large offices of regional and national firms run structured new-graduate programs that rotate candidates through tax compliance work before promoting into senior associate positions. Candidates without direct tax experience often move in from adjacent roles in audit or finance at California-based companies, and having CPA exam progress or a completed master's degree in taxation from a California university strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to tax senior associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to tax senior associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring for the role. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and preferred location or work arrangement, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 217+ Tax Senior Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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