Senior Tax Manager
Boutique Tax & Advisory Firm (High-Touch, Growth-Focused)
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Tax Manager to lead our tax review, planning, and client advisory functions within a high-growth, boutique tax and accounting firm.
This role is designed for a technically strong, client-facing leader who can own the review process, develop staff, and deliver proactive tax strategy to business owners and high-income individuals.
The ideal candidate thrives in a high-performance, relationship-driven environment and is motivated by building systems, improving processes, and elevating client experience.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Tax Review & Compliance Oversight
- Review complex business and individual tax returns (1120S, 1065, 1120, 1040)
- Ensure accuracy, completeness, and strategic optimization of all filings
- Reduce review notes and rework through team training and systems
- Maintain firm-wide quality control standards
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2. Tax Planning & Advisory
- Lead and deliver proactive tax planning for business owners and high-net-worth clients
- Identify and implement advanced strategies (entity structuring, 199A, compensation optimization, etc.)
- Collaborate with bookkeeping and CFO services to ensure planning is data-driven
- Participate in client strategy meetings and year-round advisory
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3. Team Leadership & Development
- Manage and mentor tax staff and preparers
- Train team on technical tax matters and firm processes
- Improve staff efficiency, accuracy, and independence
- Conduct performance reviews and contribute to hiring decisions
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4. Workflow & Process Management
- Oversee return workflow from preparation to final delivery
- Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements
- Help build scalable systems and SOPs
- Ensure deadlines are consistently met without partner intervention
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5. Client Relationship Management
- Serve as a primary point of contact for key clients
- Communicate complex tax concepts in a clear, confident manner
- Build long-term client relationships through proactive communication
- Identify opportunities to expand services (bookkeeping, planning, advisory)
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Success Metrics (KPIs)
This role will be measured on:
- Review Efficiency: Turnaround time on returns
- Accuracy Rate: Reduction in reviewer corrections and rework
- Client Retention & Growth: Expansion of services within existing clients
- Realization Rate: Minimizing write-downs
- Staff Development: Team performance and independence
- Planning Revenue Growth: Increased advisory engagement
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Qualifications
Required
- 5–10+ years of tax experience in public accounting
- Strong experience reviewing business returns (S-Corp, Partnership)
- Proven experience managing staff and reviewing work
- Deep understanding of tax strategy for business owners
- Excellent communication and client-facing skills
Preferred
- CPA or EA (strongly preferred but not required)
- Experience in a boutique or high-touch firm environment
- Experience with tax planning and advisory services
- Familiarity with Thomson Reuters suite (UltraTax, Practice CS, etc.)
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Compensation & Structure
- Base Salary: $100,000-$125,000 (depending on experience)
- Performance Bonus tied to:
- Upside Potential: Leadership track into Director / Partner role
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Why This Role Is Different
- You will lead, not just review
- You will be involved in real tax strategy, not just compliance
- You will help build a top-tier boutique firm model
- You will work with high-quality clients (not volume-driven returns)
- You will have direct impact on firm growth and systems
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Ideal Candidate Profile (What “A Players” Look Like Here)
- Thinks like an owner, not an employee
- Obsessed with accuracy and efficiency
- Strong communicator with confidence in client meetings
- Enjoys mentoring and building teams
- Wants to grow into a leadership role
