Senior Associate - High Net Worth Tax Practice

Wertz & Associates; Naperville (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Dependent Care FSA

Paid time off / PTO

Job summary

Wertz & Associates, a growing public accounting and advisory firm in Naperville, IL, seeks a Senior Associate for its High Net Worth Tax Practice. You will work with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and businesses while expanding technical expertise, client relationships, and leadership skills for long-term career advancement.

The firm invests in people, offers collaboration, mentorship, and a clear growth path toward Manager, Principal, and leadership roles, with performance-based bonuses

Qualifications

• 3+ years of public accounting tax experience.
• Experience preparing complex individual, business, and fiduciary tax returns.
• Strong technical tax knowledge and client service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review individual, trust, estate, partnership, and corporate tax returns.
• Prepare estimated tax payments and extensions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Identify client opportunities and planning strategies.
• Draft responses to IRS inquiries and research tax matters.
• Develop client relationships and deliver advisory services.
• Organize and manage multiple projects and engage teams.

Skills

Public accounting tax experience

Prepare complex returns

Excellent communication

Project management

Education

CPA licensure in progress

Tools

CCH Axcess Tax

CCH Engagement

Job description

Senior Associate - High Net Worth Tax Practice

High-Net-Worth Tax | Trust & Estate Planning | Career Advancement | Principal Track Opportunity

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Bonus Opportunities

Location: Naperville, Illinois
Schedule: Flexible Hybrid
Compensation: $70,000-$105,000

Our client, a highly respected and growing public accounting and advisory firm, is seeking a Senior Associate to join its High Net Worth Tax Practice.

This is more than a traditional tax compliance position.

It's an opportunity to work directly with high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, business owners, and closely held businesses while building the technical expertise, client relationships, and leadership skills necessary for long-term career advancement.

The firm is known for investing heavily in its people, creating a collaborative culture, and providing a clear path for professionals who aspire to grow into future leadership roles. This is an ideal opportunity for a tax professional who enjoys complex client situations, tax planning, and serving as a trusted advisor.

If you're looking for a firm where your growth potential is genuinely unlimited, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Hybrid work environment
• Clear path toward Manager, Principal, and firm leadership opportunities
• Exposure to sophisticated high-net-worth tax matters
• Strong firm culture centered on collaboration and mentorship
• Direct client contact and advisory opportunities
• CPA exam incentives and support
• Flexible scheduling
• Opportunity to coach and mentor developing professionals
• Diverse and challenging client engagements
• Performance-based bonus opportunities

About the Firm

Our client is a well-established public accounting and advisory firm serving high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, business owners, and closely held businesses.

The firm combines technical excellence with a relationship-driven approach, helping clients navigate complex tax matters while building long-term financial success.

Professionals enjoy meaningful client interaction, strong mentorship, and opportunities to make a direct impact on both client outcomes and firm growth.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Associate within the High Net Worth Tax Practice, you'll work closely with Managers and Principals while taking increasing ownership of client relationships and engagement execution.

You'll gain experience with:

• High-Net-Worth Individual Taxation
• Trust & Estate Taxation
• Fiduciary Tax Compliance
• Partnership Taxation
• Corporate Taxation
• Tax Planning Strategies
• IRS & State Tax Matters
• Client Advisory Services
• Staff Development & Mentorship

This role offers an excellent combination of technical tax work, client interaction, and leadership development.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Compliance & Review

• Prepare and review individual, trust, estate, partnership, and corporate tax returns
• Prepare estimated tax payments and extensions
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations
• Maintain high standards of technical accuracy and quality

Tax Planning & Advisory

• Identify client opportunities and planning strategies
• Assist with complex tax research projects
• Draft responses to IRS and other tax authority inquiries
• Research federal, state, and local tax matters
• Help clients navigate complex financial and tax situations

Client Service

• Develop strong client relationships through responsiveness and communication
• Serve as a trusted resource for assigned clients
• Develop an understanding of client operations and goals
• Help identify opportunities for additional planning and advisory services
• Deliver exceptional client service throughout the year

Leadership & Mentorship

• Coach and support Associates as they develop technical skills
• Assist with training and professional development
• Share best practices and technical knowledge
• Support engagement teams and contribute to collaborative success

Engagement Management

• Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Monitor deadlines, budgets, and deliverables
• Support Managers and Principals with engagement economics
• Assist with billing, realization, and collection processes
• Participate in special projects and firm initiatives

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of public accounting tax experience
• Minimum of 2 years preparing complex individual, business, and fiduciary tax returns
• Strong technical tax knowledge
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail

Preferred

• CPA candidate or actively pursuing CPA licensure
• Experience with CCH Axcess Tax and Engagement
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and family groups
• Tax planning experience
• Prior mentoring or leadership experience

Who Thrives Here?

The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys solving complex tax issues
• Wants direct client interaction
• Has a passion for tax planning and advisory work
• Enjoys mentoring and developing others
• Values collaboration and continuous learning
• Takes ownership of client service and project outcomes
• Is motivated by long-term career advancement opportunities

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment
• Flexible schedules
• CPA exam incentives
• Referral bonus opportunities
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Employer-paid short-term disability
• Employer-paid long-term disability
• Paid parental leave
• Group life insurance
• 12.5 paid holidays annually
• PTO starting at 15 days per year
• 401(k) with discretionary employer contribution
• Continuing education and training support
• Professional memberships paid by the firm
• Performance-based bonus opportunities

If you're a Tax Senior, Senior Associate, or High-Net-Worth Tax professional seeking greater client exposure, technical growth, and a pathway to future leadership, we'd love to speak with you confidentially.