Seasonal Tax Preparer (Independent Contract)

Reports To: Tax Specialist

Engagement Window: January 2027 (or earlier by mutual agreement) through June 30, 2027, including extensions

Compensation: $300 to $550 per completed return depending on complexity, paid on a 1099 basis

Expected Volume: 200 to 350 individual and small business returns

Overview

The Tax Preparer at Great Waters Financial serves as a seasonal extension of our client-facing team, engaged on a 1099 contract basis to prepare individual and small business returns during the 2026 filing season. Great Waters is a financial planning firm, and we help our clients Live Greatly® by delivering a holistic plan and experience that brings investments, insurance, income, estate, and tax together under one roof. This role is responsible for meeting with clients to gather source documents, preparing accurate federal and state returns, delivering finished returns in person, and coordinating with our internal tax specialist and advising team on questions, follow ups, and planning opportunities. With strong technical competency, a warm client presence, and the professional judgment to run their own book of work with minimal oversight, the Tax Preparer plays an essential role in the integrated experience we deliver to every client.

You Are:

• Comfortable sitting across the table from a client, walking them through their return, and answering questions in plain language.
• Detail oriented and self managing. You own your book, your deadlines, and your quality without being chased.
• Discreet with confidential financial information and disciplined about data security.
• A collaborator who communicates proactively with the internal team when questions arise.

Client Consultation and Delivery

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients from initial intake through delivery of the completed return.
• Facilitate intake meetings to gather income documents and financial information.
• Interview clients to surface items not obvious from documents alone (life changes, side income, dependents, planning opportunities).
• Present and deliver completed returns, walking clients through key figures, refund or balance due, and any planning notes.

Tax Return Preparation and Filing

• Prepare accurate federal and state returns using your own professional tax software, applying current tax law to optimize client outcomes.
• Prepare individual returns (Form 1040) and applicable small business and pass through returns (Schedule C, 1065, 1120-S including K-1 generation, and estate returns) as assigned.
• Identify applicable deductions, credits, and planning opportunities within the bounds of current federal and state tax law.
• E-file completed returns, confirm acceptance, and prepare extensions as needed.

Compliance, Documentation, and Coordination

• Maintain the accuracy, compliance, and organization of every return and every client file, and coordinate with the internal Great Waters tax specialist on cases that warrant it.
• Review client documentation for completeness and flag missing items promptly.
• Ensure compliance with Circular 230 standards of practice where applicable.
• Maintain organized client records in GWF systems (Egnyte, Salesforce) per firm data retention and security standards.
• Escalate complex or unusual issues to the internal tax specialist and document the resolution.

Qualifications

• Active PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) in good standing.
• Active EA (Enrolled Agent) credential required. CPA preferred.
• Multiple seasons of professional tax preparation experience, with demonstrated ability to independently prepare 200 or more returns per season.
• Proficiency with, and access to, your own professional grade tax software (Drake, ProSeries, Lacerte, UltraTax, or comparable). Consumer software such as TurboTax does not meet this requirement.
• Working knowledge of current federal and Minnesota tax code, with the ability to research and apply law to less common situations.
• Availability to work on site in Shoreview during peak filing periods and for scheduled client meetings.

Preferred

• Experience serving retirees, self employed individuals, rental property owners, multi state filers, and clients with cryptocurrency activity.
• Comfort discussing general tax planning ideas with clients in coordination with their financial advisor.
• AFSP participation (in addition to EA or CPA credential).

Contract Terms

• This is a 1099 independent contractor engagement. The contractor is not an employee of Great Waters Financial and is not eligible for employee benefits, PTO, unemployment insurance, or workers compensation coverage through the firm.
• The contractor is responsible for their own taxes, business expenses, software, and equipment. GWF will provide access to firm systems needed to service GWF clients (Salesforce, Egnyte, 8x8, and firm email as appropriate).
• The contractor sets their own schedule and methods within the constraints of client appointments and filing deadlines.
• The engagement is not exclusive. The contractor may accept other tax work provided it does not create a conflict of interest with GWF clients.
• Compensation is paid per completed return at a rate of $300 to $550, with the specific rate determined by return type and complexity per a rate schedule agreed to at engagement.
• The contractor is expected to maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) as required of paid preparers under IRS guidance, and to carry professional liability (E&O) insurance appropriate to the scope of work.
• A signed independent contractor agreement, W-9, and consent to background and credential verification are required prior to the start of the engagement.