Senior Tax Manager / Tax Director

Wertz & Associates; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Professional development

Leadership opportunities

Volunteer time

Job summary

Wertz & Associates in Madison, Wisconsin, seeks a Senior Tax Manager on the Director Track or a Tax Director to join its leadership team. This role blends strategic tax leadership with hands-on advisory work for closely held businesses and high-net-worth clients, offering significant influence and a clear pathway to executive leadership.

You will mentor staff, drive efficiencies through technology, and contribute to growth initiatives while collaborating with executive leadership and the Chief

Qualifications

• Active CPA license is required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting is required.
• 8+ years of progressive tax experience for Senior Tax Manager candidates.
• 10–15+ years of experience for Director-level candidates.
• Strong public accounting or complex corporate tax background.
• Advanced experience with pass-through entities, partnerships, and S‑Corporations.
• Multi-state tax experience.
• Strong leadership and mentoring experience.
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee federal, state, and local tax compliance for a diverse client portfolio.
• Design and implement tax planning strategies to improve profitability and minimize tax exposure.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on entity structuring and complex tax matters.
• Consult on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing tax team; drive practice growth.

Skills

CPA license

Strong leadership

Communication skills

Pass-through tax

Multi-state tax

S-Corp knowledge

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Job description

Senior Tax Manager (Director Track) / Tax Director

Tax Advisory Leadership | Strategic Growth | Director Path Opportunity | Award-Winning Firm

Compensation: $155,000–$220,000 Base + Performance Bonus + Director/Executive Leadership Track
Location: Madison, Wisconsin (Hybrid Flexibility Available)

Our client, a nationally recognized and award-winning CPA and advisory firm, is seeking an experienced Senior Tax Manager (Director Track) or Tax Director to join its leadership team in Madison, Wisconsin.

This is not a traditional tax management role.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing tax advisory practice while working closely with executive leadership, firm partners, and the Chief Tax Officer. The position offers significant influence, autonomy, and a clear path toward expanded leadership responsibilities within one of Wisconsin's premier public accounting firms.

The ideal candidate is a strategic tax leader who enjoys serving as a trusted advisor to closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and ownership groups while helping develop future leaders and drive innovation throughout the practice.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• $155,000–$220,000 base salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Director-track leadership position
• Significant visibility with executive leadership
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Award-winning culture and workplace
• Opportunity to help shape the future of the tax practice
• Strong emphasis on technology, automation, and innovation
• Meaningful influence over strategic initiatives
• Collaborative, people-first environment

Exceptional candidates with significant leadership experience, advanced tax specialization, business-development success, or Director-level experience may be considered above the posted compensation range.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Tax Manager or Tax Director, you'll operate as both a strategic advisor and key leader within the firm.

You'll work directly with business owners, executives, family-owned enterprises, and high-net-worth clients while overseeing sophisticated tax planning, compliance, business advisory, and growth initiatives. In addition, you'll play a major role in mentoring team members, improving operational efficiencies, and helping drive the firm's long-term strategic objectives.

This role provides exposure to:

• Advanced Tax Planning & Advisory
• Multi-State Taxation
• Pass-Through Entity Taxation
• High-Net-Worth Tax Planning
• Estate & Trust Planning
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Business Structuring & Succession Planning
• Team Leadership & Practice Development

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Tax Leadership

• Oversee federal, state, and local tax compliance activities for a diverse client portfolio
• Design and implement tax planning strategies that improve profitability and minimize tax exposure
• Serve as a trusted advisor on entity structuring, ownership transitions, and complex tax matters
• Consult on mergers, acquisitions, business reorganizations, and strategic transactions
• Represent clients during audits, tax controversies, and interactions with taxing authorities

Client Advisory & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with business owners and executive teams
• Translate complex tax concepts into practical business guidance
• Identify opportunities to expand advisory services and strengthen client relationships
• Provide proactive recommendations that support client growth and long-term success
• Collaborate with clients on strategic planning and operational initiatives

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing tax team
• Assist in recruiting, retention, and leadership succession planning
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and professional development
• Build future tax leaders through mentorship and ongoing support
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement

Practice Innovation & Growth

• Improve department efficiency through technology adoption, automation, and process enhancements
• Develop and maintain SOPs, KPIs, and quality control procedures
• Support business development initiatives, networking events, and thought leadership activities
• Participate in proposal development and relationship expansion efforts
• Help shape the future growth strategy of the tax practice

Qualifications

Required

• Active CPA license
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required
• 8+ years of progressive tax experience for Senior Tax Manager candidates
• 10–15+ years of experience for Director-level candidates
• Strong public accounting or complex corporate tax background
• Advanced experience with pass-through entities, partnerships, and S-Corporations
• Multi-state tax experience
• Strong leadership and mentoring experience
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills

Who Thrives Here?

The ideal candidate:

• Thinks like a business advisor rather than solely a tax technician
• Enjoys mentoring and developing future leaders
• Wants meaningful influence over firm direction and growth
• Values client relationships and long‑term partnerships
• Has an entrepreneurial mindset
• Embraces technology and innovation
• Seeks a long-term leadership opportunity with substantial career upside

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Performance-based bonus program
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Leadership development opportunities
• Paid community involvement and volunteer time
• Team-building events and firm-sponsored activities
• Modern technology and collaborative work environment
• Clear path toward director and executive leadership opportunities

About Our Client

Our client is one of Wisconsin's most respected and fastest-growing public accounting and advisory firms, known for combining technical excellence with an innovative, people-first culture. The firm partners with business owners, entrepreneurs, professional service organizations, and high-net-worth individuals to provide comprehensive tax planning, compliance, advisory, and consulting services.

The organization has received multiple recent workplace and industry recognitions, including honors as one of the region's best places to work and one of the nation's top accounting firms for employee satisfaction. Their commitment to flexibility, innovation, professional development, and work-life balance has enabled them to attract and retain exceptional talent while continuing to deliver outstanding client service.

Professionals here enjoy direct access to leadership, meaningful client relationships, cutting-edge technology, and genuine opportunities to influence the future direction of the firm.