Tax Manager

W3Global; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

Parental leave

Flexible scheduling

Learning & development

Path to Partner

Job summary

W3Global in Richmond, Virginia seeks an experienced Tax Manager to lead client engagements, mentor staff, and grow the tax practice within a public accounting firm. The role covers planning, budgeting, preparation, review, and delivery of tax engagements, with focus on S-Corps, partnerships, individuals, and related matters; strong leadership and profitability skills essential.

A CPA license, 5+ years of public accounting, and a path to partnership are key; hybrid schedule with two onsite days

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related discipline is required.
• Active CPA license is mandatory; EA not acceptable.
• Minimum of five years in public accounting with strong tax responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of tax engagements from planning to delivery and follow-up.
• Oversee quality, timeliness, and profitability of engagements.
• Prepare and review returns for S-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, individuals, and nonprofits.

Skills

Tax engagement management

Leadership

Client relationship management

Communication

Public accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

Title: Tax Manager - Public Accounting

Location: Richmond, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Salary Range: $126,400-$150,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience

Required Certification: Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license

Experience: Minimum 5 years of public accounting experience

About The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Tax Manager to join a growing public accounting firm in Richmond, Virginia. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong tax professional who is ready to take ownership of client engagements, lead and mentor accounting professionals, and contribute to the continued growth of the firm's tax practice.

The Tax Manager will oversee all phases of tax engagements, from initial planning and budgeting through preparation, review, delivery, and client follow-up. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise in S-Corporations, partnerships, individual taxation, and related tax matters, along with the ability to supervise staff, manage engagement profitability, and maintain strong client relationships.

This position offers a meaningful career progression opportunity through a Path to Partner Program. The firm is seeking professionals who demonstrate the technical capabilities, leadership qualities, and long-term potential to grow into partnership as senior partners prepare for retirement.

The ideal candidate will currently be working as a Tax Manager or in an equivalent acting-manager capacity, with demonstrated experience independently managing engagements from beginning to end and supervising tax staff.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Engagement Management

• Manage all phases of tax engagements, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, preparation, review, delivery, and post-engagement follow-up.
• Assume responsibility for the overall quality, accuracy, timeliness, and profitability of assigned engagements.
• Oversee tax return preparation and review to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local tax laws and professional standards.
• Review complex tax returns and supporting workpapers, identify technical issues, and provide appropriate recommendations and resolutions.
• Sign tax returns in accordance with applicable professional and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor engagement budgets, realization, productivity, and other key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities to improve engagement workflows, resource allocation, and overall operational efficiency.

Tax Technical Expertise

• Prepare and review tax returns for S-Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, individuals, and nonprofit organizations.
• Provide technical guidance on complex tax matters, tax planning strategies, and compliance requirements.
• Analyze client financial information to identify tax risks, planning opportunities, and potential areas for tax savings.
• Research and interpret federal and state tax laws, regulations, and relevant professional guidance.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and regulatory requirements and communicate their implications to clients and internal teams.
• Ensure that tax engagements comply with applicable professional standards, firm policies, and quality-control procedures.
• Consult with clients regarding tax planning, compliance matters, filing requirements, and other tax-related issues.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients and manage relationships throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients' businesses, financial objectives, and tax requirements.
• Communicate complex tax issues clearly and provide practical, timely recommendations.
• Manage client expectations, deadlines, billing, collections, and engagement deliverables.
• Build long-term client relationships through proactive communication, technical expertise, and responsive service.
• Identify opportunities to expand services for existing clients and strengthen overall client satisfaction.

Team Leadership and Staff Development

• Supervise, coach, and mentor tax staff and senior accountants.
• Assign and monitor workloads to ensure appropriate resource utilization and timely completion of engagements.
• Review staff work, provide constructive feedback, and support the development of technical and professional skills.
• Establish expectations for quality, productivity, accountability, and professional conduct.
• Monitor team performance and address training needs, workflow challenges, and development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, ethical, and quality-focused working environment.

Business Development and Practice Growth

• Contribute to the continued growth and strategic direction of the firm's tax practice.
• Identify potential new business opportunities through client relationships, professional networks, and industry connections.
• Develop the ability to attract new clients and expand existing client relationships over time.
• Participate in business development initiatives and support the introduction of additional services to existing clients.
• Contribute ideas and leadership to departmental planning, tax committees, and specialized areas of practice.
• Demonstrate the leadership, relationship-building, and commercial skills needed for future advancement to partnership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related accounting discipline.
• Active CPA license is mandatory. Enrolled Agent (EA) certification alone will not meet the requirement.
• Minimum of five years of public accounting experience, including substantial tax preparation and review responsibilities.
• Current Tax Manager experience or equivalent experience functioning as an acting manager with independent engagement-management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tax engagements from beginning to end, including planning, budgeting, staffing, preparation, review, and client delivery.
• Proven experience supervising, reviewing, and developing tax professionals.
• Strong technical tax expertise in S-Corporations, partnerships, individual taxation, and related pass-through entity tax matters.
• Experience preparing and reviewing complex federal and state tax returns.
• Working knowledge of tax planning, tax research, applicable regulations, and professional accounting standards.
• Strong client relationship management, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements, meet deadlines, and maintain high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, accountability, and leadership potential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, Taxation, or a related field.
• Additional tax-related certifications, professional designations, or specialized technical training.
• Experience with nonprofit tax returns and related compliance requirements.
• Experience handling multi-state tax matters.
• Experience monitoring engagement budgets, realization, billing, and collections.
• A demonstrated interest in business development, client acquisition, and expanding professional relationships.
• Interest in long-term career growth and advancement to partnership.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a technically strong CPA with current Tax Manager or equivalent acting-manager experience in a public accounting environment. This individual should be comfortable managing client engagements independently, supervising staff, reviewing complex tax returns, and serving as a trusted advisor to clients.

The firm is particularly interested in candidates with strong experience in S-Corporations, partnerships, and individual taxation, as well as the ability to lead teams and manage engagement profitability.

Prior business development success is not a prerequisite for joining the firm. However, the successful candidate must demonstrate the ability and willingness to develop new client relationships and contribute to practice growth over time.

This opportunity is best suited for a professional seeking a long-term career with a path to partnership. Candidates whose experience is limited to senior-level tax preparation without engagement-management and staff-supervision responsibilities may not be the right fit.

Work Arrangement and Location

• Workplace: Hybrid.
• Required onsite presence: At least two days per week.
• Office location: Richmond, Virginia.
• Other approved vendor-recruiting locations: Fairfax, Virginia; Fredericksburg, Virginia; and New Bern, North Carolina.
• Candidates must be able to meet the firm's hybrid attendance requirements for the applicable office.

Compensation And Benefits

The expected annual salary range is $126,400-$150,000, depending on relevant experience, technical expertise, qualifications, location, and overall fit.

The Firm Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package, Including

• Medical insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Paid time off.
• 11 paid holidays annually.
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Flexible scheduling within the hybrid work arrangement.
• A minimum of 40 hours of employer-supported learning and development annually.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.
• A structured Path to Partner Program.

Career Growth Opportunity

This position offers more than a traditional tax management role. The firm is planning for leadership succession and is looking for professionals who can take ownership of client engagements, develop team members, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the future of the tax practice.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to build their leadership capabilities, expand their client portfolios, participate in practice development, and work toward potential advancement to partnership.

Equal Opportunity

The firm is committed to maintaining a professional and collaborative workplace and encourages qualified candidates who meet the position's technical, licensing, and leadership requirements to apply.