{"id":1168753,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ascend-tax-senior-associate","title":"Tax Senior Associate","company":{"id":6169,"name":"Ascend","domain":"ascendtogether.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ascend","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":34,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-09-25T05:45:01Z"}},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Birmingham, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":75000,"max_usd":146000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":1786},"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-23T19:50:27Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-23","last_verified_at":"2026-09-25T17:57:11Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"About Ascend\nBacked by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.\nAs of May 2026, Jackson Thornton has joined the Ascend network. \nFind Your Home with Jackson Thornton! \nJackson Thornton, an accounting and consulting firm, was established in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 3, 1919. From our beginning, the firm has operated with personal integrity and professional excellence while evolving and expanding to provide more of what businesses need- whether strategic planning, business consulting, technology consulting or specialized industry services. Jackson Thornton has grown to serve clients in six locations throughout Alabama with a team of more than 200 professionals and is looking to welcome more driven, client-focused individuals to the firm. \nWe are seeking a Tax Senior Associate with public accounting experience to join our team. This role is ideal for a motivated professional who thrives in a client-focused environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality service. As a Tax Senior Associate, the duties are focused around two core concepts: technical expertise and delivering excellent client service. This individual will work closely with team members to ensure accurate and timely completion of tax engagements, while also mentoring interns and Associates, and contributing to a positive team culture. This position could be a fit if you are interested in working with a collaborative and supportive team that values your growth and contributions, if you are seeking ongoing training and development opportunities, and you would enjoy supporting the firm in the community through volunteer opportunities and civic engagement. \n This position will work primarily out of Jackson Thornton's Birmingham office with hybrid flexibility. \nKey Responsibilities \nPrepare individual, corporate, partnership, and trust tax returns.\nReview returns prepared by interns and provide constructive feedback.\nCommunicate directly with clients to gather necessary tax information and resolve questions.\nResearch tax issues and contribute to client tax planning strategies.\nApply technical tax knowledge to identify planning opportunities and potential tax implications for clients.\nStay current on changes in tax laws and regulations.\nSupport the development and training of Tax Associates and Interns.\nUse firm tax software and automation tools to work efficiently, and apply professional judgment when reviewing technology- and AI-assisted output before it reaches the client.\nCollaborate with team members to ensure efficient workflow and exceptional client service. \nQualifications \nBachelor’s degree in Accounting.\nCPA license preferred, or actively pursuing (at least two parts of the CPA exam passed).\nTwo years of public accounting experience with a focus on tax.\nStrong technical knowledge of tax regulations and compliance.\nProficiency with professional tax preparation software and Microsoft Excel, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.\nExcellent communication and interpersonal skills.\nAbility to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.\nInterest in applying AI and automation tools to tax workflows, paired with the judgment to know when professional review is required.\nCommitment to continuous learning and professional development. \nJackson Thornton offers a comprehensive, competitive benefit package to all of our professionals, which includes health, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, long term and short term disability plans, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, paid time off plan, and a 401(k) plan with a match.\nHow to Apply\nSubmit your information in the application section directly below! This will include:\nBasic contact information\nResume/CV and optional cover letter upload\nWork eligibility and compensation\nVoluntary demographic & self-ID questions\nFor further questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Olivia Riley, Sr. Recruiter at . \nAt Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4960,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Continuous learning","Equity","Life insurance","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Audit & Assurance Firms","Accounting & Bookkeeping Services","Tax Advisory & Preparation"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-24T05:52:41Z"}],"liveness":{"score":60,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.602,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":42,"reasons":["conf:3","stale_co","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-09-25T05:45:01Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ascend-tax-senior-associate","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ascend-tax-senior-associate.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-26T00:36:25Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":560,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4440,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-27T00:00:00Z"}}}