Senior Tax Manager

Ascend Partner Firms; Arkansas; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend seeks a Senior Tax Manager to lead client relationships, oversee complex federal and multi-state tax engagements, and mentor a high-performing tax team.

You will partner with partners to identify planning opportunities, support business development, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality tax services while maintaining compliance and strong risk management.

This role requires deep technical tax knowledge, a learning mindset, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive tax experience in public accounting.
• Demonstrated success managing complex tax engagements and client relationships.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal and multi-state tax laws.
• Learning mindset.
• Patience with staff and clients.

Responsibilities

• Client Management & Advisory: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing exceptional service and proactive tax guidance; Manage a portfolio of clients including individuals, partnerships, corporations, S-corporations, and trusts; Identify tax-planning opportunities and advise clients on strategies to minimize tax liabilities; Build and maintain strong client relationships to support retention and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Tax software

Job description

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources,best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

About HD Growth Partners

At HD Growth Partners, we’re a team driven by curiosity, ambition, and a genuine desire to make a difference. We bring together diverse talents to deliver meaningful results—and we’re always learning and evolving along the way. Every day, we strive to align with our clients and help them reach their goals. We’re committed to empowering our team to shape their own professional journeys while nurturing their personal growth —because we believe that who you are outside of work is just as important as who you are at work. We’re not your average accounting firm, and we take great pride in that. We’re deeply invested in making a meaningful impact on our community—and we have a lot of fun while doing it!

Position Purpose

The Senior Tax Manager is a key leader within the firm’s tax practice and is responsible for managing client relationships, overseeing complex tax engagements, reviewing work performed by staff, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality tax services. This role requires strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to mentor and develop a highperforming team. The Senior Tax Manager will work closely with partners to identify planning opportunities, support business development efforts, and contribute to the continued growth of the practice.

Position Responsibilities

Client Management & Advisory

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing exceptional service and proactive tax guidance.
• Manage a portfolio of clients, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, S-corporations, and trusts.
• Identify tax-planning opportunities and advise clients on strategies to minimize tax liabilities.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to support retention and growth.

Tax Compliance & Review

• Oversee and review complex federal, state, and local tax returns prepared by staff and senior-level team members.
• Manage tax engagements from start to finish, ensuring compliance and timely delivery.
• Perform high-level technical reviews and ensure accuracy and completeness of all tax filings.
• Research complex tax issues and prepare technical memoranda to support firm positions.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor staff, seniors, and supervisors to support their professional development.
• Provide constructive feedback through formal and informal performance evaluations.
• Manage workflow, staffing, and deadlines to ensure projects are completed efficiently.
• Participate in training initiatives and help grow the technical knowledge of the tax team.

Practice Growth & Business

• Development Collaborate with partners on proposals, presentations, and engagement scoping.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and contribute to expanding client relationships.
• Participate in networking, professional associations, and community events to support business development efforts.

Quality & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with firm policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain thorough documentation and support for tax positions.
• Stay current on tax law changes and communicate relevant updates to clients and internal teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive tax experience in public accounting.
• Demonstrated success managing complex tax engagements and client relationships
• Strong technical knowledge of federal and multi-state tax laws
• Learning mindset
• Patience with staff and clients

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast pace environment
• High proficiency with tax software.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.