Senior Manager, Real Estate, CPA

Wertz & Associates; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work® culture

Leadership development programs

Flexible hybrid schedule

Job summary

Wertz & Associates in Madison, WI, seeks a Senior Manager for Real Estate (LIHTC) CPA to lead complex engagements and advise affordable housing developers, ownership groups, and nonprofits.

This leadership role combines technical LIHTC expertise with client advisory work, mentorship of managers and staff, and potential path to partnership.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• 9+ years of public accounting experience.
• Significant affordable housing, LIHTC, or real estate industry experience.
• Deep knowledge of partnership taxation.
• Strong understanding of real estate financial reporting.
• Experience managing client relationships and complex engagements.
• Proven leadership and staff development experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex affordable housing and LIHTC engagements from planning through completion.
• Serve as trusted advisor to developers, syndicators, ownership groups, and nonprofit organizations.
• Provide guidance on accounting, compliance, tax, and reporting matters.
• Assist clients in navigating complex affordable housing regulations.
• Deliver strategic recommendations related to operations, compliance, and financial performance.

Skills

LIHTC expertise

Leadership

Client advisory

Real estate accounting

Audit & assurance

Education

CPA license

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

Senior Manager, Real Estate (LIHTC), CPA

Affordable Housing | LIHTC Expertise | Client Advisory | Leadership Opportunity

Compensation: $170,000–$230,000 Base + Performance Bonus + Leadership Advancement Opportunity

Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Schedule: Flexible Hybrid

Our client, a nationally recognized professional services firm and certified Great Place to Work®, is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to join its growing Real Estate and Affordable Housing practice in Madison.

This is more than a traditional public accounting leadership role.

It's an opportunity to become a trusted advisor to affordable housing developers, ownership groups, management companies, syndicators, nonprofit organizations, and real estate investors while leading sophisticated audit, tax, compliance, and advisory engagements focused on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) industry.

As a senior leader within the practice, you'll help shape client strategy, mentor future leaders, drive practice growth, and work alongside firm leadership in one of the firm's most specialized and impactful service lines.

If you're seeking a highly visible leadership opportunity that combines real estate expertise, affordable housing specialization, client advisory work, and long-term career growth, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• $170,000–$230,000 base salary
• Annual performance bonus opportunities
• Leadership role within a growing affordable housing practice
• Significant exposure to LIHTC and affordable housing clients
• Opportunity to serve as a strategic advisor to industry leaders
• Direct access to firm principals and leadership
• Strong mentorship and leadership development programs
• Great Place to Work® certified culture
• Diverse mix of audit, tax, compliance, and consulting work
• Opportunity to influence practice growth and expansion
• Clear path toward Principal and Shareholder opportunities

Exceptional candidates with extensive LIHTC expertise, affordable housing consulting experience, significant business development success or strong industry relationships may be considered above the posted compensation range.

About the Firm

Our client is a premier accounting, consulting, and advisory firm serving businesses, developers, nonprofit organizations, real estate companies, and entrepreneurs throughout the Midwest.

Key service offerings include:

• Audit & Assurance
• Tax Planning & Compliance
• Affordable Housing Advisory
• Real Estate Consulting
• Business Advisory Services
• Outsourced Accounting
• Strategic Consulting

The firm is known for combining deep technical expertise with exceptional client service and a strong commitment to employee development.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Manager within the Real Estate practice, you'll oversee complex engagements while providing technical guidance and strategic leadership to clients and team members alike.

You'll have significant exposure to:

• Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
• Affordable Housing Accounting
• Partnership Taxation
• Real Estate Tax Planning
• Financial Reporting for Real Estate Entities
• HUD & RD Compliance
• State Housing Authority Reporting
• Audit & Assurance Services
• Client Advisory Services
• Team Leadership & Development

This role offers an exceptional combination of technical specialization, client visibility, and leadership responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Affordable Housing & LIHTC Advisory

• Lead complex affordable housing and LIHTC engagements from planning through completion
• Serve as a trusted advisor to developers, syndicators, ownership groups, and nonprofit organizations
• Provide guidance on accounting, compliance, tax, and reporting matters
• Assist clients in navigating complex affordable housing regulations
• Deliver strategic recommendations related to operations, compliance, and financial performance

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain primary ownership of key client relationships
• Communicate directly with executives, ownership groups, and stakeholders
• Provide proactive advisory support throughout the year
• Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen relationships
• Deliver exceptional client service and responsiveness

Audit, Tax & Compliance Oversight

• Oversee affordable housing audit and tax engagements
• Review financial statements and client deliverables
• Ensure compliance with professional standards and regulatory requirements
• Monitor engagement budgets, timelines, and profitability
• Maintain quality control across multiple client engagements

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop managers, supervisors, seniors, and staff accountants
• Conduct performance reviews and development planning
• Provide technical training and guidance
• Support recruiting and retention initiatives
• Build and strengthen a high-performing team culture

Practice Growth & Business Development

• Support affordable housing practice growth initiatives
• Develop referral relationships within the industry
• Participate in professional organizations and industry events
• Identify cross-selling and consulting opportunities
• Contribute to revenue growth and client retention efforts

Qualifications

Required

• Active CPA license
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field
• 9+ years of public accounting experience
• Significant affordable housing, LIHTC, or real estate industry experience
• Deep knowledge of partnership taxation
• Strong understanding of real estate financial reporting
• Experience managing client relationships and complex engagements
• Proven leadership and staff development experience

Who Thrives Here?

The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys serving as a trusted advisor to clients
• Has a passion for affordable housing and real estate
• Enjoys mentoring and developing professionals
• Wants significant visibility within a growing practice
• Thinks strategically beyond compliance work
• Enjoys business development and relationship building
• Seeks long-term leadership opportunities within the firm

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage
• Retirement savings programs
• Paid time off and holidays
• Continuing education support
• Leadership development programs
• Industry training and certifications
• Great Place to Work® culture
• Strong advancement opportunities
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial environment

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

Few accounting leadership opportunities offer the ability to specialize in a niche as impactful as affordable housing.

This position places you at the center of one of the firm's most strategic practice areas, providing direct access to industry leaders while allowing you to influence complex housing developments that create meaningful community impact.

You'll serve as more than an auditor or tax professional. You'll become a trusted advisor, industry expert, mentor, and leader helping both clients and team members succeed.

About Our Client

Our client is a respected professional services firm known for technical excellence, employee development, and exceptional client service. Through investment in specialized industry expertise, leadership development, and a collaborative culture, the firm has established itself as a destination employer for high-performing accounting professionals.

Employees benefit from leadership accessibility, sophisticated client engagements, industry specialization opportunities, and a clear path toward senior leadership and ownership opportunities.

If you're a Senior Manager with affordable housing, LIHTC, or real estate expertise seeking sophisticated client work, significant leadership responsibility, and a path toward future firm leadership, we'd love to speak with you confidentially.