Tax Manager

Location: Schaumburg, IL

Compensation: $170,000

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Tax Manager to oversee larger and more complex tax engagements while managing multiple projects simultaneously. This individual will be responsible for reviewing tax returns, providing technical guidance to staff, managing client relationships, and supporting the professional development of team members.

The ideal candidate is a CPA with strong tax experience across high-net-worth individuals, pass-through entities, trusts and estates, as well as experience supporting clients within industries such as manufacturing, construction, and nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for supervising complex tax engagements and special assignments in accordance with established firm policies and procedures.
• Coordinate all phases of engagements, including planning, budgeting, monitoring performance against budget, and reviewing work for accuracy and completeness.
• Review and manage the preparation of tax returns across a variety of client service areas.
• Maintain a strong emphasis on:
  • High-net-worth individual taxation
  • Pass-through entities
  • Trust and estate taxation
• Research tax law and provide guidance on technical tax questions.
• Develop tax-planning strategies while remaining current on changes to tax laws and regulations.
• Identify potential issues and develop appropriate solutions for clients.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Manage all aspects of the client engagement process.
• Communicate engagement progress, challenges, resolutions, financial information, tax activity, and other business concerns to clients.
• Develop solutions based on client needs and oversee implementation.
• Identify opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients.
• Support client retention and overall service quality.
• Provide supervision, training, guidance, and constructive feedback to staff.
• Mentor and coach team members in both client service and professional development.
• Develop engagement work plans and ensure responsibilities and deadlines are achieved.
• Manage and guide staff in their day-to-day activities, including engagement budgeting.
• Anticipate having approximately 2–3 direct reports after the first 8–10 months, once fully acclimated to the position.
• Work collaboratively with team members to anticipate project issues, evaluate alternatives, and resolve problems.
• Identify client needs, cross-selling opportunities, and potential new services.
• Support partners in developing initiatives focused on client retention, resource planning, utilization, and staff development.
• Build and maintain a professional network to support business development and firm marketing initiatives.
• Develop functional specialization and/or industry expertise.
• Work toward a specialty designation or advanced degree where applicable.

Requirements

• Active CPA license – mandatory
• Strong experience managing complex tax engagements.
• Experience reviewing tax returns and providing technical tax guidance.
• Experience with trust and estate taxation.
• Experience with high-net-worth individuals and pass-through entities.
• Experience supporting clients within industries such as manufacturing, construction, and nonprofit organizations.
• Strong client relationship and engagement-management skills.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or developing tax professionals.
• Strong understanding of current tax laws and regulations.

Skills

• Accountability: Takes ownership of delivering accurate, high-quality, and timely results while holding team members to similar standards.
• Leadership: Ability to supervise, mentor, coach, and develop employees.
• Analytical & Problem Solving: Uses sound judgment and reasoning to evaluate alternatives and resolve complex tax and client issues.
• Client Service: Provides responsive, individualized service and develops a strong understanding of client goals and needs.
• Execution: Effectively utilizes available resources, adapts to change, and resolves barriers to achieve desired outcomes.
• Time Management: Successfully balances multiple engagements, priorities, deadlines, and client responsibilities.
• Business Development: Demonstrates the ability to identify selling, cross-selling, networking, and marketing opportunities.

Technology

Experience with tax and accounting software, including:

• CCH
• QuickBooks Online

Schedule

Standard hours are generally 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

The position is generally expected to work in the office or onsite at client facilities during the workweek.

During tax season (January 1 – April 15), employees should expect approximately 60 hours per week, Monday through Saturday.

Travel Requirements

• Regular same-day travel to client facilities, meetings, and seminars. Candidates must have their own reliable transportation.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for client work, meetings, or seminars.

Benefits

• 5 weeks of PTO