AVP - Tax Officer

Whittier Trust is the oldest privately owned multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, providing exceptional client service and highly customized investment solutions for high-net-worth individuals and their families.

Our dedicated professionals work with clients and their families to deliver a broad array of services including investment management, fiduciary, philanthropic, and family office. Our founding family’s century-long history of entrepreneurship continues to guide our activities for clients today. Entrusted with private family assets, our teams employ a consulting approach to tailor solutions for complex family situations.

Whittier Trust attracts professionals who have a desire to grow while building their skills in the service to our clients. Our organization is flat, nimble, and uniquely attuned to the needs and desires of both today’s entrepreneurs as well as legacy family members who may be several generations removed from the wealth creators. Our corporate culture is one of client-focus, collaboration, performance and accountability, family orientation and long-term career satisfaction. Employee turnover is low because of a high level of engagement and career fulfillment.

The position offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, performance bonus, equity consideration, excellent medical, and retirement plans.

POSITION SUMMARY

At Whittier Trust, you will have the opportunity to grow your professional tax career in exciting new ways as a key member of Whittier Trust’s Tax Team. Focused on serving our client base of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the Tax Team handles tax engagements that include offering tax advice, identifying and applying tax minimization strategies, as well as planning, preparing tax returns, and conducting reviews. Whittier Trust’s clients present a diverse portfolio of interesting and challenging projects. As an Assistant Vice President & Tax Officer in our Tax department, you will play a crucial role on our team and report directly to the Vice President of Tax Compliance.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Whittier Trust serves as trustee for many of our clients, and we are responsible for providing accurate and timely tax compliance for corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual taxpayers.

Other main responsibilities include:

• Preparation and review of federal and state tax returns for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including gift tax returns.
• Preparation and review of federal and state tax returns for S corporations, partnerships, private foundations, and trusts (complex, grantor, simple, split-interest).
• Communicating complex tax issues to non-tax professionals and clients regarding their corporate, partnership, and fiduciary roles.
• Providing tax research, drafting tax memoranda, and assisting with quantitative modeling for private clients (for example, calculating charitable contributions for a charitable split-interest trust).
• Liaising with and developing relationships with Whittier Trust’s Client Advisory Team, while communicating significant tax matters to the Director of Tax and Vice President of Tax Compliance.
• Assisting in developing other tax professionals within the department; reviewing their work and helping ensure they have the knowledge, tools, and opportunities needed to succeed.
• Identifying and responding to risks and opportunities to enhance our services and processes.
• Preparing accounting records for closely held business entities requiring a solid understanding of accounting fundamentals, journal entries, and book-to-tax adjustments.

Secondary responsibilities consist of:

• General understanding of individual retirement accounts and Form 1099 preparation to support the Tax team in delivering these documents to Whittier Trust’s clients promptly.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Six years of experience in tax preparation, preferably with a regional or larger public accounting firm.
• A bachelor’s degree.
• A master's degree in taxation is preferred but not required.
• CPA license or EA certification

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

We are seeking tax professionals who are genuinely committed to delivering exceptional service to the over 500 families served by Whittier Trust within its multi-family office platform. Collaborating with colleagues across various wealth management disciplines, you will leverage your experience and trusted advisor status to uphold and enhance Whittier Trust’s reputation for excellence. The most ideal candidates will possess the following qualities: 

• Knowledge of federal and state tax laws and regulations, including the ability to conduct tax research and draw conclusions.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, and QuickBooks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. You must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with senior management, client advisors, portfolio managers, and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Willing to take an active leadership role on our Tax Team. Sometimes this will require overtime, including weekends, when necessary, especially during busy seasons.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to independently generate new ideas.

COMPENSATION

Base salary range

$150,000 - $185,000 annually