Senior Tax Manager

About the Firm

We are representing a well-established boutique CPA firm based in Naperville, IL with a tight-knit team and a culture that has kept people around for the long haul. The firm operates as part of a broader platform, giving the local practice access to national-level resources including a dedicated recruiting team, operations manager, and back-end infrastructure that most firms this size simply don't have. Despite that backing, the local team runs with significant autonomy — the leader sets the direction, and the platform makes sure they have everything they need to scale.

About the Role

Our client is seeking a Senior Tax Manager to step into a succession role as one of the firm's two principals approaches retirement over the next one to two years. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who wants to plant roots, take ownership of a $5.5M book of business, and grow into a principal-level seat. The incoming leader will run the tax department, develop staff, and gradually take over client relationships with a clear and supported path upward.

Key Responsibilities

• Assume day-to-day leadership of the tax department, including oversight of staff and workflow management across concurrent engagements
  

• Take over and maintain client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for an established book of business
  

• Review tax returns across individual, business, and pass-through entity structures
  

• Drive proactive tax planning and advisory conversations focused on long-term client strategy
  

• Lead, mentor, and develop tax staff, including performance oversight and professional growth
  

• Research complex tax issues and deliver well-reasoned, practical resolutions
  

• Collaborate with firm principals and serve as a trusted senior resource across the practice
  

Requirements

• 10+ years of public accounting experience with a focus on individual and business taxation
  

• CPA required, EA accepted
  

• Generalist background across individual and small business tax
  

• Proven ability to lead and develop staff in a client-facing environment
  

• Proficiency with Lacerte preferred
  

• Strong interpersonal skills, professional presence, and the ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships
  

• Local to the Naperville, IL area with the ability to be in office a minimum of 3 days per week; full-time in office preferred
  

Benefits

• Strong base salary and bonus structure
  

• BCBS medical coverage with family and individual plan options
  

• HSA
  

• 3% safe harbor 401(k)
  

• 20 days PTO
  

• 11 paid holidays including your birthday
  

• Clear path to principal with compensation that grows as responsibilities expand