Senior Tax Manager

White Tiger Connections; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS medical coverage

HSA

20 days PTO

11 paid holidays

In-office 3 days/week

Job summary

White Tiger Connections, a well-established boutique CPA firm in Naperville, IL, seeks a Senior Tax Manager to lead the tax department and take ownership of a $5.5M book of business with a clear path toward principal.

The role requires 10+ years in public accounting, CPA, and strong staff leadership. You will develop staff, manage client relationships, review returns, and drive proactive tax planning with firm-wide support.

Qualifications

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

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.

Skills

Public accounting experience

Tax planning

Staff development

Client relationship management

Tax compliance

Education

CPA certification

Tools

Lacerte

Job description

Naperville, United States | Posted on 08/27/2026

At White Tiger Connections, we believe that growth isn’t just about numbers; instead, it’s about vision, strategy, and connections that truly count. Our focus on the accounting industry isn’t incidental—it’s entirely intentional. As a result, we’re a team dedicated to helping firms achieve meaningful growth, whether through mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or carefully placed talent. Ultimately, our approach isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about understanding the unique dynamics of each firm we work with and crafting solutions that propel them forward.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to make powerful connections that propel accounting firms toward lasting success. We connect buyers, sellers, and partners with strategies that aren’t just transactional but transformative. Whether you’re growing through acquisition, looking to expand your capabilities, or planning for succession, we provide tailored solutions that create real value for your firm and your clients.

WHAT WE DO

White Tiger Connections focuses on three core areas: Mergers & Acquisitions, Consulting, and Recruiting. We work alongside you at every step, from identifying strategic opportunities to securing the right talent and guiding growth decisions. Our approach combines industry insight with hands-on support, ensuring that each decision aligns with your firm’s goals and sets you up for sustainable success.

Job Description

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

Strong base salary and bonus structure

BCBS medical coverage with family and individual plan options

HSA

20 days PTO

11 paid holidays including your birthday

Clear path to principal with compensation that grows as responsibilities expand