At SVA, we believe that great tax advisors do more than prepare returns — they help clients protect what they've built, plan for the future, and make informed decisions that benefit generations to come.
We are seeking a Trust & Estates Manager to join our Tax team. In this role, you will work closely with high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, trustees, and their advisors to provide sophisticated tax planning, compliance, and wealth transfer strategies.
As a trusted advisor, you will help clients navigate complex estate, gift, trust, business and individual income tax matters while collaborating with SVA's tax professionals and other advisors to deliver comprehensive solutions. You will also play an important role in developing team members, managing client engagements, and contributing to the continued growth of our Trust & Estates practice.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical tax expertise, sound professional judgment, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine interest in building long-term client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Trust & Estate Tax Planning and Compliance
- Manage and review complex federal and state fiduciary income tax returns (Form 1041), estate tax returns (Form 706), gift tax returns (Form 709), individual income tax returns (Form 1040) and some business returns (Form 1065, 1120S, 1120).
- Provide proactive tax planning and advisory services related to estate and gift taxation, trusts, wealth transfer, and succession planning.
- Analyze complex tax issues, research applicable tax laws and regulations, and develop practical recommendations tailored to clients' circumstances and objectives.
- Advise clients on tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies, including lifetime gifting, trust structures, and estate planning opportunities, in collaboration with legal and financial advisors.
- Monitor changes in federal and state tax laws and evaluate their implications for clients, communicating planning opportunities and potential risks.
- Identify opportunities to integrate estate, gift, fiduciary, and individual income tax strategies with broader business and personal financial objectives.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor for assigned clients, building strong, long-term relationships based on responsiveness, technical expertise, and proactive communication.
- Lead client discussions regarding tax planning strategies, compliance requirements, and complex financial and estate-related matters.
- Collaborate with attorneys, financial advisors, trustees, family offices, and other professionals to coordinate comprehensive client solutions.
- Anticipate client needs, identify emerging issues, and recommend value-added services that support their long-term goals.
- Partner with SVA Principals and other service lines to deliver a coordinated client experience and strengthen existing relationships.
Engagement and Practice Management
- Oversee multiple trust, estate, gift, and individual tax engagements, ensuring accuracy, quality, timeliness, and adherence to professional standards.
- Establish engagement priorities, manage deadlines, and coordinate staffing and resources to meet client commitments.
- Review workpapers, tax returns, and planning deliverables prepared by team members, providing technical guidance and ensuring quality.
- Manage engagement budgets, monitor realization, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
- Apply technology, automation, and evolving tax tools to enhance the quality and efficiency of client service.
- Identify and resolve complex engagement issues, escalating matters appropriately and collaborating with Principals on significant client decisions.
Team Leadership and Development
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to senior accountants, staff accountants, and other team members.
- Delegate responsibilities effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability for engagement results.
- Support the development of team members through training, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing.
- Promote a collaborative, supportive environment that encourages professional growth, accountability, and high-quality client service.
- Contribute to practice initiatives focused on process improvement, technical excellence, and team development.
Business Development and Practice Growth
- Identify opportunities to expand services to existing clients and develop relationships with prospective clients and referral sources.
- Collaborate with Principals and other leaders on business development initiatives and strategies to grow the Trust & Estates practice.
- Build professional relationships through networking, community involvement, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
- Contribute technical insights and thought leadership to support SVA's reputation as a trusted advisor in estate, gift, and fiduciary taxation.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in public accounting or a comparable tax advisory environment, including significant exposure to trust, estate, gift, and individual income taxation.
- Experience preparing and reviewing complex tax returns and providing tax planning recommendations to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners.
- Strong understanding of federal and state tax laws applicable to estates, trusts, gifts, and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple client engagements, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience reviewing the work of others and providing technical guidance or mentorship.
Preferred
- Experience advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, and closely held business owners.
- Advanced knowledge of estate and gift tax planning strategies, fiduciary accounting, trust administration, and wealth transfer structures.
- Experience collaborating with estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, and other professional advisors.
- Prior experience supervising, developing, or managing tax professionals.
- Familiarity with professional tax research platforms, tax preparation software, and technology-enabled tax workflows.
- Advanced credentials or education related to taxation, estate planning, or financial planning.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Trust & Estates Manager at SVA:
- Builds trusted relationships with clients and serves as a proactive advisor rather than solely a compliance resource.
- Demonstrates strong technical judgment and delivers accurate, thoughtful, and practical tax solutions.
- Effectively manages engagements, deadlines, budgets, and client expectations.
- Develops the capabilities and confidence of team members through coaching and collaboration.
- Identifies opportunities to enhance client relationships and contribute to the growth of the practice.
- Embraces continuous improvement, new technologies, and evolving approaches to delivering exceptional client service.
Why SVA?
At SVA, our purpose is to help clients achieve their goals while creating an environment where our people can build meaningful and rewarding careers.
Our professionals work collaboratively across disciplines to provide clients with comprehensive solutions and deliver Measurable Results®.
Our culture is grounded in 31 Fundamentals that guide how we work, serve clients, support one another, and contribute to our communities. We take pride in fostering an environment that values professional growth, meaningful relationships, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
SVA has earned Great Place to Work recognition for eight consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to creating an exceptional employee experience.
SVA maintains offices in Madison and Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
We value diverse professional experiences and recognize that the right candidate may bring a combination of technical expertise, client advisory experience, and leadership potential. We are committed to helping talented professionals continue to grow and succeed.
