Senior Tax Accountant / Associate

Public Accounting · Chawla & Chawla, P.C. · Gaithersburg, MD · Full-Time, In-Office

$90,000 – $120,000 base + performance bonus up to 20%

Who We Are

Chawla & Chawla, P.C. is a Top CPA firm with more than 35 years in practice, over seventy-five professionals on staff, and an international support presence in India. We serve clients through government contracting, healthcare, real estate, private equity, non-profits, and professional services. We are a family-built firm that has grown into something much larger, and we have never lost the culture that got us here.

We are currently investing in AI-assisted workflows, process automation, and better technology across the firm. This is not performative. We are genuinely changing how we work, and we want people on the team who are excited about that!

Why This Role Exists

We are developing our tax team and developing the next generation of managers at C&C. This role is for someone who is technically strong and wants more responsibility, not just more returns. If you see this as a step towards Tax Manager and not a final stop, you are exactly who we are looking for.

If you want low expectations and slow change, this will not be the right fit.

What You Will Do

• Prepare and review federal and state tax returns across multiple entity types of individuals, partnerships, S-corps, trusts, and multi-state filings.
• Review work prepared by junior associates and give them real, useful feedback.
• Manage IRS and state notices, audits, and client inquiries.
• Research tax issues and analyze the impact of new and proposed legislation.
• Participate in compilation and review engagements.
• Contribute to process improvement and AI-assisted workflow initiatives.
• Build deep knowledge of your clients’ businesses and industries.
• Collaborate directly with managers and partners to develop your technical and professional judgment.

What We Are Looking For

Required:

• 3 to 5 or more years of public accounting experience with a tax focus.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
• Direct experience with both individual and business returns.
• Strong foundation in U.S. tax compliance and GAAP.
• Experience reviewing returns or mentoring junior staff.
• Lacerte and QuickBooks experience strongly preferred.

Strongly preferred:

• CPA license or active CPA pursuit.
• Experience with AI-assisted tax tools, workflow automation, or applied technology in a professional setting this carries real weight here, so be specific if you have it.
• Self-sufficient and identifies what needs improvement without being told.
• Government contracting or Deltek experience is a bonus.

US work authorization is required. H-1B sponsorship is considered for the right long-term fit.

What We Offer

• Base salary of $90,000 to $120,000 depending on experience.
• Annual performance bonus up to 20%, paid in July based on your prior-year rating.
• Annual merit increases effective every January 1st.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with an HSA option available.
• 100% company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with profit sharing.
• CPA exam reimbursement fee.
• 15 days PTO, increasing to 20 days after three years, plus eight paid firm holidays.
• Professional development and continuing education support.
• A clear, documented path to Tax Manager for people who earn it.

Tax Season

We have two peak periods each year February 1 through April 15, and August 1 through October 15. Extended hours are expected during those windows. We are upfront about that because we respect your time and want you to know what you are signing up for.

What you get in return is real: the bonus structure is tied directly to the work you put in, we provide meals during extended hours at the office, and we throw a genuine celebration when each season closes.

Schedule and Location

This is a full-time, in-office role in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Monday through Friday. During slower periods outside of tax season, employees may work from home one day per week with manager approval. Flexibility here is based on performance and business need there is no set remote schedule. Candidates must be able to commute to or relocate to the Gaithersburg area before their start date.

How to Stand Out

The candidates who tend to do best in this process have worked across multiple return types and can explain why a tax position was taken, not just how. They are curious about tools, have opinions about how their current firm does things, and are not waiting to be asked before they speak up. If you have used AI in your workflow in a real, specific way, say so in your application.

We also pay a $2,000 employee referral bonus when someone you recommend gets hired and completes 90 days. If this role is not the right fit for you but you know someone it is right for, keep that in mind.

Chawla & Chawla P.C. is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Profit sharing
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Gaithersburg, MD 20877: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person