Tax Manager

Distinct | North America; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual culture

Team events

Drinks on Thursdays/Fridays

Summer softball

Job summary

Distinct | North America is seeking a Tax Manager to join our growing team in Illinois. This role focuses on reviewing complex tax work, directly managing client relationships, and mentoring staff in a fast-paced, low-hierarchy environment.

You’ll work closely with Partners and contribute to strategic planning and advisory initiatives. Ideal candidates will have CPA licensure and 2+ years at Manager level in public accounting, with a track record of leading engagements and driving firm growth.

Qualifications

• 2+ years operating at Manager level within public accounting.
• CPA qualification is required or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing complex tax work.
• Managing client relationships directly.
• Mentoring and developing staff.
• Working closely with the Partner group.
• Getting involved in planning and advisory work.
• Having a say in how the team and wider firm continue to develop.

Skills

Tax leadership

Client relationships

Staff mentoring

Public accounting

Education

CPA license

Job description

There’s a lot happening at this firm right now, and for the right Tax Manager, that creates a pretty interesting place to join.

They’re around 70 people today and continuing to grow, but still at the size where you can know the Partner group, have a voice and actually see the impact you’re having.

It’s an ambitious firm. Things move quickly, good people get noticed and there isn’t a huge hierarchy to work your way through before you can take on more.

One of the current Partners progressed quickly himself, so when they talk about progression and Partnership, there are actual examples of it happening.

They’re also independently owned with no PE backing. The Partners are building the firm for the long term and want people around them who can grow with it.

The role itself is a genuine Manager position, with roughly 75% review and 25% client relationship and advisory work.

You’ll be involved in:

• Reviewing complex tax work
• Managing client relationships directly
• Mentoring and developing staff
• Working closely with the Partner group
• Getting involved in planning and advisory work
• Having a say in how the team and wider firm continue to develop

The client base is broad across manufacturing, professional services, real estate, logistics, nonprofits and other closely held businesses.

If you’re particularly good at something, they’re happy to let you build around it. If you prefer staying broad, that works too.

They don’t really pigeonhole people.

The culture is younger and pretty high energy. People actually like coming into the office and spending time together. Thursday and Friday drinks are common, the Partners will often pick up the bill and there’s a summer softball team.

It has more of that downtown, bigger firm energy than you might expect from a 70 person CPA firm, without actually being a huge firm.

The hours are sensible too.

Busy season is typically around 55 to 60 hours, then May through August drops to around 37.5 hours with early Fridays.

They expect people to work hard when the work is there, but there’s no prize for sitting at your desk unnecessarily.

You’ll ideally already have 2+ years operating at Manager level within public accounting and your CPA.

Longer term, Partnership is absolutely an option for someone who wants it.

But you don’t have to be solely focused on making Partner for this role to make sense. There’s plenty of room to take on more client ownership, get involved in decisions, develop people and build an area around your strengths.