Senior Accountant — FIRPTA Focus | Sarasota, FL
Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC, Sarasota, FL, United States
Overview
Own one of the most specialized accounting seats at one of Florida's leading real estate law firms. You'll be the firm's go-to FIRPTA expert — preparing 8288 and 8288‑A filings, tracking foreign‑seller transactions, and making sure every deal with a foreign component closes cleanly on the tax side. You'll also play a core role in month‑end close, trust accounting, and financial reporting alongside the Controller. This is a niche‑specialist role for an accountant who takes pride in getting the hard stuff right.
Key Responsibilities
FIRPTA compliance:
Prepare IRS Forms 8288 and 8288‑A in compliance with FIRPTA regulations for real estate transactions involving foreign sellers. Maintain accurate records of all FIRPTA‑related transactions and track reporting deadlines so nothing slips.
Core accounting operations:
Drive month‑end close with financial worksheets, analysis, and reconciliations. Prepare accurate revenue reports for attorneys and revenue‑producing personnel. Handle annual multi‑office tangible personal property tax filings. Reconcile and analyze trust account transactions across the firm.
Financial analysis and reporting:
Perform financial analysis and support the preparation of financial statements and management reports. Assist with compliance requirements and ad‑hoc projects assigned by the Controller.
Qualifications
You bring 5+ years of progressive accounting experience — ideally in real estate, transactional accounting, or multi‑office environments — and working knowledge of FIRPTA compliance and IRS documentation requirements. You have strong GAAP and internal controls knowledge, advanced Excel skills (pivot tables are table stakes), and QuickBooks proficiency. You can explain complex accounting and tax requirements to non‑experts without losing them. You’re detail‑obsessed, organized, and manage competing deadlines without needing to be chased. Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
Strongly preferred:
CPA (licensed or candidate), prior law firm or title company accounting experience, trust accounting background, or multi‑entity consolidations experience.
Benefits
$92K–$96K base — top of Sarasota market for Senior Accountant roles
Health insurance, retirement plan, and generous PTO
Paid holidays
Annual all‑expenses‑paid firm trip (post‑eligibility)
A collaborative, multi‑office Florida firm with a genuine commitment to work‑life balance
Direct line to the Controller and real scope — a specialist seat, not just data entry
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Own one of the most specialized accounting seats at one of Florida's leading real estate law firms. You'll be the firm's go-to FIRPTA expert — preparing 8288 and 8288‑A filings, tracking foreign‑seller transactions, and making sure every deal with a foreign component closes cleanly on the tax side. You'll also play a core role in month‑end close, trust accounting, and financial reporting alongside the Controller. This is a niche‑specialist role for an accountant who takes pride in getting the hard stuff right.
Key Responsibilities
FIRPTA compliance:
Prepare IRS Forms 8288 and 8288‑A in compliance with FIRPTA regulations for real estate transactions involving foreign sellers. Maintain accurate records of all FIRPTA‑related transactions and track reporting deadlines so nothing slips.
Core accounting operations:
Drive month‑end close with financial worksheets, analysis, and reconciliations. Prepare accurate revenue reports for attorneys and revenue‑producing personnel. Handle annual multi‑office tangible personal property tax filings. Reconcile and analyze trust account transactions across the firm.
Financial analysis and reporting:
Perform financial analysis and support the preparation of financial statements and management reports. Assist with compliance requirements and ad‑hoc projects assigned by the Controller.
Qualifications
You bring 5+ years of progressive accounting experience — ideally in real estate, transactional accounting, or multi‑office environments — and working knowledge of FIRPTA compliance and IRS documentation requirements. You have strong GAAP and internal controls knowledge, advanced Excel skills (pivot tables are table stakes), and QuickBooks proficiency. You can explain complex accounting and tax requirements to non‑experts without losing them. You’re detail‑obsessed, organized, and manage competing deadlines without needing to be chased. Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
Strongly preferred:
CPA (licensed or candidate), prior law firm or title company accounting experience, trust accounting background, or multi‑entity consolidations experience.
Benefits
$92K–$96K base — top of Sarasota market for Senior Accountant roles
Health insurance, retirement plan, and generous PTO
Paid holidays
Annual all‑expenses‑paid firm trip (post‑eligibility)
A collaborative, multi‑office Florida firm with a genuine commitment to work‑life balance
Direct line to the Controller and real scope — a specialist seat, not just data entry
#J-18808-Ljbffr