Tax Manager

Vaco by Highspring; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Mentorship from leadership

Path to Partner leadership

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a Tax Manager to lead the tax division, review complex returns, and ensure flawless compliance for wealth management clients.

Reporting to the Managing Partner, you will guide tax strategy and client communications in a collaborative, tech-forward environment with seasonal hours and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• CPA license and public accounting experience required.
• Experience reviewing and supervising complex tax returns.
• Strong client communication and relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Lead tax return review for individuals, trusts, and businesses.
• Prepare high-level tax returns as needed and ensure accuracy.
• Communicate complex tax concepts clearly to clients and team.
• Leverage AI-backed tools to optimize workflows during peak seasons.

Skills

Tax experience

Public accounting

Wealth management

Communication skills

Education

CPA license

Tools

UltraTax

TaxDome

Juno

Microsoft 365

Job description

Location: On-site / Hybrid (Minimum 4 days in office)

Position Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Reports To: Managing Partner

Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000 base (depending on experience)

About:

This firm is a dynamic, high-touch wealth management firm with a dedicated team of 15 professionals. We pride ourselves on cultivating a family- and team-oriented culture that balances high performance with real workplace flexibility. We are deeply focused on employee development, mentorship, and maintaining a fun, supportive environment for our team.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Tax Manager to step into a critical role within our firm due to an upcoming retirement. Reporting directly to the Managing Partner, you will serve as the primary cornerstone of our tax division, spearheading the tax return review process and ensuring flawless compliance for our wealth management clients.

This role is ideal for a CPA who loves the technical side of tax strategy and review, values work-life balance through structured seasonal hours, and thrives in a collaborative, tech-forward environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Tax Review & Quality Control: Serve as the primary reviewer for complex individual, trust, and business tax returns, ensuring high technical accuracy and identification of proactive planning opportunities.
• Tax Preparation: Efficiently prepare high-level and complex tax returns as needed.
• Client Communication & Relationship Management: Act as a primary point of contact for clients, translating complex tax concepts into clear, actionable advice. Collaborating seamlessly with the broader wealth management team to provide holistic financial strategies.
• Technology & Process Optimization: Leverage modern, AI-backed software tools to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency during peak seasons.

Work Schedule & Work-Life Balance

We strongly believe in managing seasonal compression to prevent burnout. This role features a structured, fluctuating schedule designed around the tax calendar:

• Tax Season (January 1 - April 15): 55 hours per week
• Rest of the Year: Standard 40 hours per week

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Proven track record in public accounting or a wealth management tax environment, specifically carrying strong experience in both preparing and reviewing tax returns.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and internal team members.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with modern tax and office ecosystems. Experience with UltraTax, TaxDome, Juno (AI-based document reader), and Microsoft 365 is highly preferred.

Why You'll Love Working Here (Employee Value Proposition)

• True Work-Life Balance: Enjoy abbreviated 35-hour workweeks during the summer months to recharge.
• Collaborative Environment: Work within a highly supportive, tight-knit team of 15 people where your voice is heard and your impact is visible.
• Modern Tech Stack: Work with cutting-edge AI and automated document tools designed to eliminate manual data entry friction.
• Culture of Growth: Direct access to leadership with an emphasis on training, coaching, and long-term career development.
• Step Into Leadership: We're looking for our next Partner. From day one, you'll have the mentorship, visibility, and resources needed to transition from Tax Manager to firm leader.