Senior Associate, Compensation and Benefits (Transaction Tax)

Alvarez & Marsal; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal in Chicago, IL seeks a Senior Associate in its Compensation and Benefits (Transaction Tax) team to assist in due diligence, structuring, and cross‑functional tax planning for transactions.

You will review equity plans, deferred compensation, and tax attributes, with a focus on 83, 409A, and 280G, collaborating with deal teams across time zones. A strong writing and analytical skill set is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field required.
• Advanced Degree / Certification preferred: CPA, JD, or LLM.
• 3+ years of compensation and benefits tax experience; or 3+ years of tax due diligence experience.
• Prior experience with Mergers and Acquisitions preferred.
• Strong writing, analytical, research and organizational skills.
• Experience with all Microsoft Office products (with an emphasis on Excel).
• Strong communication and time management skills for both clients and A&M teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and delivery of quality tax planning approaches by providing timely and responsive services and work product that meets and/or exceeds client expectations;
• Assist with compensation due diligence, including review of equity plans and agreements, change in control plans and golden parachute calculations, deferred compensation plans, tax returns, financials, and other documentation to evaluate potential tax risks and opportunities;
• Assist with benefit plan due diligence, including review of retirement plans, Section 125 plans, discrimination and compliance testing, IRS Form 5500, and determination letters for compliance with IRS and DOL requirements to help identify potential tax exposures and opportunities and, if needed, assisting in remediating operational non‑compliance issues;
• Review payroll tax treatment and withholding policies and practices, including accurate reporting (W‑2, K‑1, 1099, etc.), withholding on income tax and FICA on various forms of compensation, and proper worker classification;
• Review and comment on compensation and benefits aspects of financial models, purchase agreements, and structuring calculations;
• Take ownership of assigned workstreams, including creating and preserving relevant diligence work products, ensuring supervisors can timely review and provide constructive feedback of deliverables, and otherwise proactively responding to changes in workflow;
• Coordinate with federal, state and local, and international tax team members, as well as financial and operational due diligence team members, to timely deliver highest quality integrated work product;
• Support management of client relationships by communicating and responding to client expectations, gathering data relevant to the engagement, and tailoring project deliverables accordingly.

Skills

Compensation & benefits tax concepts

Tax due diligence

Excel proficiency

Strong communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field

Advanced Degree / Certification (CPA, JD, or LLM)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with entrepreneurial, action and results‑oriented professionals. We take a hands‑on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.

Senior Associate, Compensation and Benefits (Transaction Tax)

The Team

A&M's Compensation and Benefits (“CAB”) Tax team is comprised of seasoned tax professionals experienced in providing practical tax advice to corporate and private equity buyers and sellers throughout the transaction lifecycle. By utilizing an integrated approach with A&M professionals with deep operating and financial‑related experience, the team uses a focused and client‑tailored approach to rapidly identify, understand and quantify potential deal breakers, value drivers and other areas of specific interest to our clients.

Our CAB Transaction Tax Services Include

• Performing tax due diligence, including reviewing target’s historic tax profile, planning, tax examinations, acquisitions/dispositions, and filing history to assess potential risks and opportunities
• Using the due diligence process to identify opportunities for further tax efficiencies
• Structuring transactions in a tax‑efficient manner, including equity rollovers and deferrals
• Reviewing and evaluating significant tax attributes, credits and incentives
• Reviewing and commenting on purchase agreements and disclosure schedules
• Evaluating potential acquisition structures
• Modeling transaction scenarios
• Identifying matters to be addressed post‑closing, including integration‑related risks and opportunities

How You Will Contribute

• Assist in development and delivery of quality tax planning approaches by providing timely and responsive services and work product that meets and/or exceeds client expectations;
• Assist with compensation due diligence, including review of equity plans and agreements, change in control plans and golden parachute calculations, deferred compensation plans, tax returns, financials, and other documentation to evaluate potential tax risks and opportunities;
• Assist with benefit plan due diligence, including review of retirement plans, Section 125 plans, discrimination and compliance testing, IRS Form 5500, and determination letters for compliance with IRS and DOL requirements to help identify potential tax exposures and opportunities and, if needed, assisting in remediating operational non‑compliance issues;
• Review payroll tax treatment and withholding policies and practices, including accurate reporting (W‑2, K‑1, 1099, etc.), withholding on income tax and FICA on various forms of compensation, and proper worker classification;
• Review and comment on compensation and benefits aspects of financial models, purchase agreements, and structuring calculations;
• Take ownership of assigned workstreams, including creating and preserving relevant diligence work products, ensuring supervisors can timely review and provide constructive feedback of deliverables, and otherwise proactively responding to changes in workflow;
• Coordinate with federal, state and local, and international tax team members, as well as financial and operational due diligence team members, to timely deliver highest quality integrated work product;
• Support management of client relationships by communicating and responding to client expectations, gathering data relevant to the engagement, and tailoring project deliverables accordingly.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of compensation and benefits tax concepts, including Sections 83, 409A, and 280G, with the capability to perform research on and effectively apply compensation and benefits tax knowledge to client situations;
• Understanding of compensation and benefits issues for various entity structures, including public and private corporations, partnerships, S‑Corps, and consolidated groups;
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field required;
• Advanced Degree / Certification preferred: CPA, JD, or LLM;
• 3+ years of compensation and benefits tax experience; or 3+ years of tax due diligence experience;
• Prior experience with Mergers and Acquisitions preferred;
• Strong writing, analytical, research and organizational skills;
• Experience with all Microsoft Office products (with an emphasis on Excel);
• Strong communication and time management skills for both clients and A&M teams;
• Strong sense of personal motivation as well as the ability to collaborate with a team across multiple time zones;
• Ability to work in dynamic, time‑sensitive environment

Your journey at A&M

We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top‑notch training and on‑the‑job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.

We prioritize your well‑being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M. The possibilities are endless for high‑performing and passionate professionals.

Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are also entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings’ fringe benefits consisting of healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages at rates determined periodically as well as a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, employees will also receive an annual discretionary contribution to their 401(k) retirement savings plan from Alvarez & Marsal. Additionally, employees are eligible for paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy‑two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part‑time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type.

Alvarez & Marsal recruits on an ongoing basis. Candidates are considered as they apply, until the opportunity is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply expeditiously to any role(s) that they are qualified for and that are of interest to them.

The salary range is $105,000 - $135,000 annually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.