Associate, Cross Border tax

Build your career with SME.

At SME, we believe the best client relationships are built by professionals who understand more than the numbers.

We are a growing accounting and advisory firm serving privately owned businesses, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals and not-for-profit organizations across a range of industries. Our size allows our people to work closely with clients, managers and partners, take meaningful ownership of engagements and have a visible impact on both our clients and the firm.

We're looking for an experienced Associate, Cross Border Tax to join our team.

At SME, you will be an important connection point between our clients, our teams and our Partners. You'll be expected to understand your clients' businesses, anticipate issues, manage engagements effectively and help identify opportunities where SME can provide additional value.

What you'll do

As a Cross Border Tax Accountant, your responsibilities include:

• Prepare US and combined US -Canadian tax returns, including cases involving complex forms such as 3520, 5471, 8621, 8858, and 8938.
• Prepare personal State Income tax returns.
• Prepare FinCEN Form 114 – Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.
• Complete ITIN Applications on Form W-7.
• Complete W8-BEN and W8-BEN-E forms to request reduced withholdings on US-sourced income.
• Prepare filings under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures for delinquent filers, including Form 14653.
• Review Canadian and US personal income tax returns prepared by junior staff.
• Stay current and be able to advise the firm and clients on relevant tax law developments.
• Provide industry and technical expertise relating to Canadian and U.S. individual income tax, social security, and international tax treaties through client interactions, technical work, management presentations, and high-quality deliverables.
• Prepare and support Canadian and U.S. tax compliance engagements for individuals.
• Assist with cross-border tax research, calculations, filings, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze client information to identify relevant tax considerations and potential issues.
• Draft clear workpapers, memoranda, and client communications for review.
• Coordinate information requests, monitor deadlines, and help keep engagements on track.
• Apply firm quality and risk-management procedures to assigned work.
• Stay current on relevant Canadian and U.S. tax developments.
• Collaborate with colleagues across tax, accounting, and advisory disciplines.
• Build technical knowledge through feedback, training, and progressively complex assignments.

What you bring

We're looking for a strong public accounting professional who combines technical capability with leadership, sound judgment and excellent client relationship skills.

Ideally, you'll have:

• Canadian CPA designation.
• 2+ years of progressive public accounting experience, including experience in Cross-border tax preparation.
• US State Certified Public Accountant designation or IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.
• U.S. tax coursework, credentials or experience with U.S. tax preparation is an asset.
• Strong analytical, research, organization and communication skills.
• The ability to communicate technical accounting matters clearly and practically to clients and team members.
• Strong proficiency with accounting and tax software.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with financial data and larger datasets.
• Experience with Caseware Working Papers, Profile, QuickBooks or similar platforms is an asset.
• Professional judgment, curiosity, and a commitment to high-quality client service.
• A commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

Why SME?

At SME, you have the opportunity to be closely involved in both the technical and relationship sides of client service.

You won't be limited to reviewing files after the work is completed. You'll also have exposure across accounting, assurance, tax and advisory matters and cross border tax engagements, giving you a broader understanding of your clients and the opportunity to continue developing as a well-rounded business advisor.

As SME continues to grow, so do the opportunities for our people. We want individuals who are interested in building long-term careers with the firm and who want to contribute to the development of our clients, our people and our practice.

What we offer

• Competitive annual base salary.
• Eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus.
• Extended health, dental and vision benefits.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and learning.
• Direct interaction with clients, Partners and business owners.
• A diverse portfolio of privately owned businesses and organizations.
• Meaningful opportunities to lead and develop team members.
• Exposure across accounting, assurance, tax and advisory services.
• Opportunities to contribute to firm growth, process improvement and practice development.
• A collaborative environment where your contribution is visible and valued.
• Modern, paperless working environment.

Compensation

The expected annual base salary range for this position is $65k-$80k. The successful candidate's compensation within this range will be determined based on relevant public accounting experience, technical capabilities, client-management skills, job-related knowledge and qualifications. This position may also be eligible for an annual performance-based bonus.

Build what's next with SME.

If you're an experienced public accounting professional who wants greater ownership of your clients, the opportunity to lead and develop people and a meaningful role in the continued growth of a firm, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today and build the next stage of your career with SME.