Tax Manager

Position Summary:

The Tax Manager is responsible for applying industry specific knowledge to advise clients on tax implications, evaluating and selecting alternative actions to lessen tax burden and cost of compliance and identifying different methods of complying with tax regulations while acting as the primary client contact for complex tax issues. In this role, the Tax Director is charged with applying knowledge to understand potential tax issues, and recognizing, communicating potential risks and potential changes in the tax policy, and making top-level decisions regarding filing, preparation and resolution of questions from federal / state agencies. The Tax Manager actively participates in the marketing, networking and business development within an area of expertise and specialization while maintaining client relationships and acting as the primary contact for complex questions.

Benefits:

• Flexible summer hours and convenient downtown Chicago & Oak Brook locations
• Dress for your day attire (jeans in the office and appropriate attire at clients)
• Discounted gym membership
• Mentoring and Leadership Development Programs
• Fun firm sponsored social events
• Generous paid time off and holiday time
• Competitive compensation package and a broad range of insurance programs
• Hybrid work schedule

Essential Job Functions:

Technical Acumen and Technology

• Remains up to date with new technologies and leverages firm technology to maximize team productivity and efficiency.
• Demonstrates expertise in specialized tax subject matter.
• Consistently demonstrate ownership and accountability for all assigned clients and projects.
• Performs technical tax review and approval of all assigned projects and identifies basic, complex, and advanced issues, as applicable, during the engagement.
• Tax technical skills encompasses various income tax types (e.g., form 1065, 1120-S, 1040), including multi-state matters (e.g., allocation and apportionment, pass through entity tax)
• Demonstrates the ability to provide quality tax planning to clients that encompasses the clients’ full business needs.
• Maintains knowledge of general economic and political trends of possible tax or other legislation that could affect the business climate.
• Manages tax research, the accuracy of the conclusion reached and ensures proper documentation of researched matters.
• Manages special projects as requested from time to time by the directors.
• Manages governmental tax examinations; may represent the client before the appropriate taxing authorities.
• Possesses a complete knowledge of the firm’s philosophy and its opinions on tax matters.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Interpersonal and Leadership

• Serves as the primary day to day contact for clients.
• Demonstrates deep and thorough understanding of the client’s objectives and goals.
• Provides timely and accurate responses to client inquiries.
• Communicates confidently and persuasively with team members and clients.
• Provides open communication and real time feedback to staff to promote a positive learning environment.
• Effectively communicates all aspects of work performed to clients, partners, and staff.
• Participates actively in client meetings and tax planning efforts.
• Stays up to date on technical matters and timely shares technical developments within the department.
• Continually enhances your technical knowledge as well as the technical skills of staff members.
• Supervises staff and seniors, provides feedback to them and evaluates their progress, and offers guidance and direction.
• Identifies staff qualifications and reviews staff assignments, making sure they align with qualifications.
• Works to develop responsible, trained staff by assisting in recruiting, performance evaluations, developing training aids, and acting as an instructor in professional development programs.
• Supervises tax staff, provides on the job training, and provides mentorship.
• Acts as a resource for associates and senior associates.

Operational Acumen

• Applies the concepts of engagement profitability and budget monitoring to ensure that projects are concluded timely and profitably.
• Review and finalize billing matters, including timely procurement of payments.
• Delegates (and provides on the job training, as needed) effectively to staff for purposes of the staff’s professional growth.
• Takes responsibility for the staff’s timely and accurate completion of delegated assignments.
• Attuned to subordinate staff’s skill set and professional aspirations and proactively provides mentorship and guidance.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the firm’s philosophy, reports, policies and opinions on technical matters.
• Manages staff workloads to minimize non productive time and mitigate excessive overtime.
• Demonstrates responsibility for all phases of multiple engagements; demonstrates exceptional time management / multitasking skills on multiple engagements; and follows engagement planning and staff assignments

Business Development

• Develops new client contacts and relationships that are beneficial to the firm.
• Develops business opportunity leads and actively engages in networking opportunities.
• Recognizes opportunities to provide additional services to current clients and demonstrates ability to cross sell firm’s services.
• Demonstrates ability to initiate, nurture and develop relationships with prospective clients.
• Participates in firm’s practice development efforts through involvement with referral sources, community and industry activities.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 5 years of experience in public accounting, demonstrating a proven progression in tax return complexity, scope and research.
• At least 2 years experience representing clients before taxing authorities.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience supervising and directing work of tax associates and senior associates.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required and Master’s degree in taxation required or similar advanced degree.
• Current and valid CPA required.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office in particular Excel and Word, CCH Axcess, BNA income tax planner, and online research tools.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and analyzing problems logically and comprehensively, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters in a tactful and discreet manner.
• Ability to interface with a variety of management levels.
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills.