Job Description

Location:

Cambridge, ON

Employment Type:

Seasonal Full-Time (January-May)

Contract-to-Hire Opportunity:

May transition to permanent full-time based on performance.

Role Overview

The Tax Associate is responsible for preparing basic personal tax returns and supporting the tax team during the busy tax season. This role is ideal for candidates with basic tax knowledge, tax course training, or early experience in personal tax preparation.

The Tax Associate follows established workflows, gathers accurate client information, and ensures returns are completed correctly under the guidance of more experienced preparers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Basic Personal Tax Preparation

Prepare

T1 personal tax returns

for straightforward client situations, including: Employment income (T4) Pension income (T4A, T4A(P), T4OAS) RRSP contributions Tuition and student credits Basic medical and charitable deductions Enter client information accurately into tax software. Ensure proper documentation and file completion.

2. Client Interaction

Conduct basic client interviews to gather necessary information. Ask clear, structured questions to ensure accuracy. Help clients understand required documents and next steps. Maintain friendly, professional communication.

3. Support for Higher-Level Preparers

Prepare schedules or portions of returns for Tax Professionals and Senior Tax Professionals. Flag issues or missing information for review. Assist with organizing client files, scanning documents, and following workflow procedures. Escalate complex tax situations to senior staff promptly.

4. Workflow & Compliance

Follow standardized workflows and checklists. Ensure all client information is handled securely. Maintain digital file structure and documentation requirements. Meet daily productivity expectations during peak season.

5. Software Proficiency

Use tax preparation software at a basic-to-intermediate level (TaxCycle, ProFile, or similar). Ensure accurate data entry. Learn and follow e-filing procedures.

Qualifications & ExperienceRequired

Completion of a

tax preparation course

OR Previous experience preparing basic tax returns OR Strong aptitude for learning tax software and tax rules.

Skills Required

Understanding of basic Canadian tax slips (T4, T5, RRSP, tuition, etc.) Strong attention to detail Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment Good communication and customer service skills Comfort with technology and digital workflows

Preferred

1-2 seasons of tax preparation experience (not mandatory) Experience with bookkeeping or data entry Strong desire to grow into mid-level tax roles

Ideal Candidate

Organized, accurate, and eager to learn. Comfortable working with clients and asking clarifying questions. Able to follow instructions and standard processes. Excited to grow into an Associate or Senior role over time. Thrives in a seasonal, fast-paced environment.
Job Type: Seasonal
Contract length: 4 months

Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 - 40 per week

Ability to commute/relocate:

Cambridge, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):

Do you have any industry-recognized tax / accounting-related education/certifications? If yes, please list below chronologically.
Experience:

canadian tax preparation: 1 year (preferred)
Language:

French (preferred)
Work Location: In person