SMB Tax Manager: Hybrid Role with AI-Enabled Advisory

Ascend Partner Firms; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance (short/long term)

FSA (Medical & Dependent Care)

Paid time off

401(k) with match

Job summary

Jackson Thornton, an accounting and consulting firm in Alabama, seeks a Tax Manager with public accounting experience to lead engagements from planning through review, and to surface planning opportunities using AI-enabled tools.

You will develop, train, and mentor team members, including those remote or on shared-service models, while owning client relationships end-to-end in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. in Accounting or related field.
• CPA license required; EA or JD/LL.M. also considered.
• Five or more years of public accounting experience with a focus on tax.
• SMB tax return experience preferred.
• Strong federal and state tax compliance knowledge.
• Working knowledge of tax research, preparation, and AI-enabled review tools.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex engagements while developing team members.
• Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, including with remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned engagements from planning through Principal review.
• Review complex individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and estate returns, tax authority notices, and research engagements.
• Serve as the primary client contact and business advisor for assigned clients.
• Identify tax planning and advisory opportunities throughout the year.
• Delegate with engagement economics and team development in mind.
• Develop and coach team members across in-person, hybrid, and remote settings; provide timely feedback.
• Monitor engagement progress, staffing, out-of-scope work, and billing input.
• Use AI-enabled research and review tools appropriately, retaining ownership of conclusions.
• Represent clients at audits, document tax advice, and monitor quality standards.
• Support business development through referrals, networking, proposals, and expanded services.

Skills

Client management

Team mentoring

Remote collaboration

Tax planning

Education

Accounting degree

CPA license

EA or JD/LL.M. considered

Tools

Tax research tools

AI-enabled review tools

Tax preparation software

Job description

Jackson Thornton, an accounting and consulting firm in Alabama, seeks a Tax Manager with public accounting experience to lead engagements from planning through review, and to surface planning opportunities using AI-enabled tools.

You will develop, train, and mentor team members, including those remote or on shared-service models, while owning client relationships end-to-end in a collaborative environment.