Jessica Chao CPA MBT
TAX Professional
Pasadena,CA
Summary
Motivated Tax professional bringing 20 years of tax compliance and planning experience. Dedicated and personable with extensive tax experience in managing accounting and tax operations and personnel. Well-versed in training, educating, motivating and supporting staff members.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR/OWNER
JC & Hope, CPA Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
07.2021 - Current
- Assisting small businesses and business owners on record keeping, financial statements preparation, tax compliance and any additional operational and accounting functions
- Constantly seeking tax saving opportunities by utilizing the existing and new tax legislations
- Interface with the clients at both professional and personal level to build mutually productive relationship
- Review and interact with third party payroll taxes vendors.
- Streamlined business operations by implementing efficient processes and organizational systems.
- Increased customer satisfaction through exceptional service and timely response to inquiries.
SENIOR TAX MANAGER (ITS)
Marcum LLP (fka Friedman, LLP)
02.2020 - 01.2021
- Communicated and consulted with inbound domestic clients for federal tax issues within International Tax Group
- Managed tax compliance engagements for tax controversy issues such as erroneous or omission of international tax filing
- Served as a liaison with the engagement leaders within the federal tax group for international tax filing
- Performed tax research applicable to clients’ tax filings and business as needed.
- Streamlined tax processes for improved accuracy and efficiency through the adoption of advanced software tools.
- Enhanced tax compliance by implementing efficient tax planning strategies and minimizing risks.
TAX MANAGER
Citrin, Cooperman, & Company LLP, Encino, CA (fka LGSH LLP)
07.2019 - 02.2020
- Handled high net worth individuals and various family group clients
- Consulted and corresponded with the clients with business and tax issues
- Assisted with TCJA related developments and issues
- Review as a technical reviewer for quality control for the firm.
LEAD TAX MANAGER
RSM US LLP, Los Angeles
01.2017 - 06.2019
- Worked on multiple complex issues while communicating in a non-technical manner to facilitate communication between the client and the service team while managing Firm/Client risk
- Served as the tax client service coordinator (“TSC”) for several clients
- Advised clients on a full spectrum of pass-through and corporate tax issues, including planning, research, compliance, and general M&A activities
- Reviewed research findings to check that findings were consistent with firm policies and professional standards
- Assisted with new business development, extended service, and tax issue recognition for existing clients
- Managed corporate clients’ needs with respect to tax services and federal and state tax compliance
- Remained up-to-date on current tax practices and changes in tax law
- Served as a Career Advisor, mentor or coach to one or more employees
- Worked in the National Service Center and other West Region offices on various compliance projects.
MANAGER
CLA LLP, Century City (fka NSBN LLP)
01.2016 - 12.2016
TAX MANAGER
Gumbiner Savett, Inc. Santa Monica
01.2011 - 07.2015
- Designed and planned high net-worth individual returns; set up new consolidated C corporation, multi-state flow-through entities, and fiduciary tax returns
- Supervised and reviewed quarterly estimates and year-end projections
- Evaluated the proposed law changes and advised possible tax-savings strategies
- Monitored multiple groups of clients including industries in restaurants, real estates (lessors), constructions, manufactures and professional services etc
- Conducted research on tax issues and drafted short memoranda
- Exposed to international tax issues such as foreign tax credit, branch profits tax, CFCs, and PFICs
- Worked with Forms 5471, 8938, 8865, 926, and Form 114 (FBAR), etc
- Handled audits and notices with government authorities
- Developed and implemented a strategy and process for hiring professional staff.
TAX SUPERVISOR
Lucas Horsfall Murphy & Pindroh, Pasadena
01.2008 - 12.2010
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Hinton Kreditor & Gronroos, Arcadia
10.2003 - 12.2007
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance -
University of Kent
Master's in Business Taxation -
University of Southern California
Skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Application
- Lacerte & Pro-system Tax Software
- CCH / Checkpoint Tax Research
- QuickBooks/Engagement
- Paperless environment
- Customer Relations
- Project Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration
Community Service
- Volunteer, Mandarin Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California.
- Volunteer Treasury, Alhambra Terrace Homeowner Association 2021-2023
Timeline
DIRECTOR/OWNER
JC & Hope, CPA Inc.
07.2021 - Current
SENIOR TAX MANAGER (ITS)
Marcum LLP (fka Friedman, LLP)
02.2020 - 01.2021
TAX MANAGER
Citrin, Cooperman, & Company LLP, Encino, CA (fka LGSH LLP)
07.2019 - 02.2020
LEAD TAX MANAGER
RSM US LLP, Los Angeles
01.2017 - 06.2019
MANAGER
CLA LLP, Century City (fka NSBN LLP)
01.2016 - 12.2016
TAX MANAGER
Gumbiner Savett, Inc. Santa Monica
01.2011 - 07.2015
TAX SUPERVISOR
Lucas Horsfall Murphy & Pindroh, Pasadena
01.2008 - 12.2010
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Hinton Kreditor & Gronroos, Arcadia
10.2003 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance -
University of Kent
Master's in Business Taxation -
University of Southern California