Tax Manager

Blue Signal Search; Arizona; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision,

Life insurance

401(k) match

Paid CPE and CPA licensing support

Direct access to firm leadership

Job summary

Blue Signal Search is seeking a Tax Manager to own client relationships, drive strategic tax planning, and mentor an agile team in a hybrid Phoenix setting. You will lead complex returns for diverse entities and supervise a ten-person staff, delivering value through proactive tax strategies and ongoing client service excellence.

The role emphasizes collaboration with leadership, cross‑functional teams, and the delivery of practical tax guidance to privately held companies and high‑net‑worth

Qualifications

• Active CPA license (Arizona or reciprocal).
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field; Master of Taxation a plus.
• Minimum five years of broad-based public-accounting experience in a small or mid-size firm environment.
• Proven command of individual, corporate, partnership, and fiduciary tax law.
• Demonstrated success mentoring staff and managing multiple engagements.
• Advanced proficiency with tax prep, workflow, and research platforms; strong QuickBooks skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary advisor for a mixed book of closely held businesses and their owners, translating complex tax matters into practical guidance.
• Review and sign off on intricate federal and multi-state returns for S‑corps, partnerships, C‑corps, trusts, and individuals while identifying savings opportunities.
• Partner with directors to design proactive strategies around entity structure, retirement planning, asset purchases, and succession to minimize risk and maximize after‑tax cash flow.
• Plan staffing, workflow, and timelines for roughly 1 500 billable hours per year, ensuring projects meet quality and budget goals.
• Research emerging federal and Arizona statutes, draft concise memoranda, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Coach and evaluate a rotating team of ten staff and seniors, providing targeted feedback and accelerating professional growth.
• Collaborate with the client‑accounting group to clean up books, implement QuickBooks Online best practices, and prepare schedules that feed directly into the return.
• Champion continuous‑improvement efforts, leveraging cloud‑based tax and research software to streamline engagement processes.

Skills

CPA license

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Mentoring staff

QuickBooks proficiency

Tax knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field

Master of Taxation

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Tax research software

Tax prep platforms

Job description

Location: Hybrid (on-site preferred) – Phoenix, AZ

Our client is an independent public-accounting and advisory practice with three decades of success serving privately held companies and high-net-worth families throughout the Southwest. The firm is expanding its leadership bench and seeks a Tax Manager who will own client relationships, drive strategic tax planning, and mentor an agile team. If you thrive on variety, direct client impact, and a collaborative culture, this is your opportunity to help shape a growing firm’s future.

Work Style & Schedule

• On‑site presence is strongly preferred during the initial ramp‑up period (roughly the first 6–12 months) to maximize collaboration and client exposure.
• After successful onboarding and performance milestones, the role transitions to a hybrid schedule averaging three days per week in the Phoenix office.
• Standard workload averages 45 hours per week outside of busy season, increasing to approximately 55 hours at peak.
• Minimal travel limited to occasional client visits or industry events.
• Competitive base salary with performance bonus potential.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k) match, paid CPE, and CPA licensing support.
• Direct access to firm leadership, a clear partner‑track pathway, and a culture that celebrates successes and community involvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary advisor for a mixed book of closely held businesses and their owners, translating complex tax matters into practical guidance.
• Review and sign off on intricate federal and multi-state returns for S‑corps, partnerships, C‑corps, trusts, and individuals while identifying savings opportunities.
• Partner with directors to design proactive strategies around entity structure, retirement planning, asset purchases, and succession to minimize risk and maximize after‑tax cash flow.
• Plan staffing, workflow, and timelines for roughly 1 500 billable hours per year, ensuring projects meet quality and budget goals.
• Research emerging federal and Arizona statutes, draft concise memoranda, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Coach and evaluate a rotating team of ten staff and seniors, providing targeted feedback and accelerating professional growth.
• Collaborate with the client‑accounting group to clean up books, implement QuickBooks Online best practices, and prepare schedules that feed directly into the return.
• Champion continuous‑improvement efforts, leveraging cloud‑based tax and research software to streamline engagement processes.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license (Arizona or reciprocal).
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field; Master of Taxation a plus.
• Minimum five years of broad-based public‑accounting experience in a small or mid-size firm environment.
• Proven command of individual, corporate, partnership, and fiduciary tax law plus familiarity with payroll, sales & use, and property taxes.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple engagements and mentoring staff.
• Advanced proficiency with leading tax prep, workflow, and research platforms as well as strong QuickBooks skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication abilities.