Real Estate Tax

Sarah Cooper, CPA, MST

**** **** **. **, #***, Washington, DC 20002 703-***-**** *************@*******.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Results-driven, detail-oriented professional with extensive experience in tax compliance, planning, and management of corporate and personal tax needs. Licensed CPA with Master's in Taxation degree, accomplished in highly efficient review and preparation of corporate and individual tax returns. Proven leader with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects, to proactively identify tax-saving opportunities, to work well both on a team and independently, and to deliver consistent, on-time work products. Core competencies include:

Project Management – Research - Training & Supervision - Account Analysis & Reconciliation – Productivity & Process Optimization - External Client Management & Relations - Tax Planning & Projections - Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Tax Manager, January 2014 to Present, Atlantic Realty Companies, Vienna, VA

Highlights to-date:

Identified and implemented tax strategies and elections that saved owners over $1.8 million

Modernized tax filing system by migrating documents to an electronic database and strengthening security to sensitive information

Initiated purchase and implementation of new software system, resulting in more efficient use of time, less manual data entry, and providing owners more time to analyze tax returns before filing

Oversee company-wide tax compliance and planning for corporate and individual needs

Perform research and prepare memos for various tax issues

Calculate quarterly tax projections and provide investors with personalized analysis

Maintain and update fixed asset schedules by property, coordinating with property accountants and the construction team to assess and classify capital improvements

Monitor latest tax developments and brief owners on relevant issues, offering recommendations to minimize tax liabilities and reduce exposure to IRS audits/examinations

Review general ledger, especially debt and equity accounts, for accuracy and appropriateness

Tax Senior-In-Charge (promoted during tenure), January 2010 to December 2013, Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell, PC, Bethesda, MD

Provided full-range tax services, including preparation of tax returns, extensions, and projections; core client industries included real estate, professional services, and car dealers

Computed tax adjustments, including deferred tax provisions pursuant to 740 ASC

Trained and supervised junior staff and reviewed tax work products

Analyzed client information to provide tax planning and consulting services

Served as the go-to person for cleanup of returns prepared by junior staff

Drafted response letters to notices received by clients from various tax jurisdictions

Designed seminars and presented tax updates at firm-wide tax training sessions

Independent Consultant, November 2007 to 2011 (Seasonal/Part-time), Washington, DC

Provided tax services and advice to individuals, including small business owners

Prepared federal, state, and local tax returns and supporting work papers

Performed small business bookkeeping and financial statement clean-up services

Sarah Cooper, CPA, MST Page 2

Tax Senior, November 2006 to April 2007

Galusha, Higgins & Galusha, PC, Helena, MT

Prepared federal and state tax returns for corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals; core client base consisted of real estate companies and sole practitioners

Conducted tax research and prepared client memos to assist with tax planning services

Created work papers to calculate book-to-tax adjustments

Reviewed client-prepared financial statements and converted data for tax return preparation

Domestic Tax Associate, July 2005 to September 2006

The AES Corporation, Tax Department, Arlington, VA

Prepared income, franchise, and property tax returns for approximately 80 energy plant business entities; contributed to the compilation of the consolidated federal return

Calculated extension payments and quarterly estimates in accordance with ASC 740 guidelines

Prepared supporting work papers and sent correspondence to taxing authorities to resolve tax liability disputes

Summarized new tax legislation and authored memos to update the department on recent developments and implications on the company

Performed research projects to assist with tax planning efforts and provided supporting documentation for tax elections

Trained entry-level staff and reviewed work papers as needed

Tax Analyst/Consultant, July 2003 to July 2005

Ernst & Young, LLP, Tax Operations Practice, McLean, VA

Provided full range of tax compliance and consulting services for corporate clients including preparation of tax returns, extensions, quarterly estimates, engagement letters, billing documents, client interview packages, and memos to communicate with partners and managers; core clients included media companies, real estate, and professional service firms

Computed tax adjustments and created work papers for supporting documentation

Reviewed tax work papers and returns for accuracy and completeness

Administered training and reviewed work of entry-level staff

Assisted assurance services division on a financial restatement engagement by performing in-depth contract analysis and presenting recommendations to client’s executive management

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION:

Master of Science in Taxation, December 2013

American University, Washington, DC

Bachelor of Science in Accounting May 2003

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC

Certified Public Accountant

District of Columbia Certificate Number: CPA902020

Virginia Certificate Number: 30372

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:

MS Office, Avidxchange, Jenark Property Management Software, Pro System, Go System, CorpTax, FAS-Tax, Drake Software, Bloomberg BNA Fixed Assets, CCH Wolters Kluwer, LexisNexis, AutoAudit, TValue, Oracle, SAP Business One

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