Tax Manager — Advisory Leader in Wealth Management

Willis Johnson Associates, Inc; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA contributions

PTO 15 days

Holidays 11

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

Willis Johnson Wealth is seeking a CPA with 5-7 years of public accounting experience to join our fast-paced tax practice in Houston.

As Tax Manager you will oversee client relationships, guide junior staff, and deliver proactive tax planning and compliance for individuals, families, and businesses. This role offers meaningful advisory work and collaboration with wealth managers.

Qualifications

• CPA license required.
• 5-7 years of experience in public accounting.
• Strong experience with individual and closely held business taxation.
• Experience reviewing complex tax returns.
• Strong client communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review (and some preparation) of individual federal and state income tax returns, as well as business, trust, and estate tax returns.
• Review (and some preparation) of U.S. filing requirements for reporting foreign assets.
• Ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and consistency across returns.
• Stay current on tax law changes and industry trends and apply them thoughtfully.
• Demonstrate strong technical judgment and understand the rationale behind tax positions and planning strategies.
• Apply technical knowledge to identify planning opportunities and improve outcomes.
• Engage in extensive tax planning for individuals, families, and business owners.
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for a portfolio of clients, ensuring high-touch, responsive service.
• Collaborate closely with the wealth management team to integrate tax strategy into broader financial plans.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively identify risks and opportunities.
• Provide and receive thoughtful, timely feedback.

Skills

Client communication

Relationship management

Leadership

Tax research

Education

CPA license

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Who We Are
Willis Johnson Wealth is a fast-paced wealth management firm where tax is not a back-office function, it’s a core part of the client experience. Our clients rely on us not only for technical accuracy, but for clarity, responsiveness, and trusted guidance across many moving pieces.

We work quickly, manage a high volume of relationships, and hold a high bar for responsiveness and quality. The work is engaging, challenging, and never boring. If you love tax, enjoy solving complex problems, and genuinely like working with people, you’ll feel energized here.
If you prefer slow, highly siloed, or purely transactional tax work, this will not be the right fit.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a Certified Public Accountant with 5–7 years of experience in public accounting who thrives in a relationship-driven, high-velocity environment and is energized by the technical side of tax. This role requires strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to move quickly while maintaining high standards.

As a Tax Manager, you will manage both client relationships and internal team members. You will serve as a primary point of contact for a portfolio of clients, building trust, providing clarity, and delivering proactive tax guidance. This role offers significant opportunity to advise clients directly, translating complex tax concepts into practical strategies that meaningfully impact their financial lives.

If you enjoy staying current on tax law and digging into complex tax research, you will find this role especially rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to work with an international clientele and engage in U.S. reporting of foreign assets, adding depth and variety to your work beyond traditional domestic tax compliance.

You will play a key role in tax compliance, review, and extensive tax planning, working closely with our wealth management team to deliver proactive, integrated advice. This role will primarily focus on tax review, planning, and client advisory work, with some preparation responsibilities during peak periods. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to continuously learn, apply that knowledge in real time, and be part of a collaborative advisory team, not just execute returns.

Qualifications
• CPA license required
• 5–7 years of experience in public accounting
• Strong experience with individual and closely held business taxation
• Experience reviewing complex tax returns
• Strong client communication and relationship management skills
• Experience mentoring or managing junior staff preferred
• Experience with international tax reporting (FBAR, Form 8938, etc.) is a plus


Essential Responsibilities
Tax Review & Technical Leadership
• Review (and some preparation) of individual federal and state income tax returns, as well as business, trust, and estate tax returns
• Review (and some preparation) of U.S. filing requirements for reporting foreign assets
• Ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and consistency across returns
• Stay current on tax law changes and industry trends and apply them thoughtfully
• Demonstrate strong technical judgment and understand the rationale behind tax positions and planning strategies
• Apply technical knowledge to identify planning opportunities and improve outcomes

Tax Planning & Wealth Management Collaboration
• Engage in extensive tax planning for individuals, families, and business owners
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for a portfolio of clients, ensuring high-touch, responsive service
• Collaborate closely with the wealth management team to integrate tax strategy into broader financial plans
• Anticipate client needs and proactively identify risks and opportunities
• Serve as a trusted tax resource to advisors and clients
• Be energized by client conversations and embrace the opportunity to advise frequently and meaningfully

Team Leadership & Development
• Manage and mentor team members, providing guidance, review, and technical oversight
• Delegate effectively while maintaining accountability for quality and deadlines
• Support professional development through coaching and real-time feedback
• Foster a culture of ownership, responsiveness, and high standards

Execution, Process & Follow-Through
• Deliver high-quality work while moving quickly and managing multiple priorities
• Consistently use CRM and internal systems to manage tasks and deadlines
• Demonstrate strong follow-up and follow-through without needing micromanagement
• Take ownership of both client outcomes and team performance

Collaboration & Growth
• Pitch in as needed and support team success
• Share knowledge, insights, and updates with colleagues
• Provide and receive thoughtful, timely feedback
• Contribute ideas that improve client experience, internal processes, and firm growth

Why Join Us
• Meaningful long-term client relationships
• Significant opportunity for advisory work and direct client impact
• Leadership responsibility and team development
• Close collaboration with wealth management professionals
• A team that values both competence and character
• An environment that rewards initiative, speed, and accountability

Compensation & Benefits
• Salary range: $125,000 – $165,000 depending on experience
• Eligible for a performance bonus tied to successful completion of tax season and overall firm performance
• 401(k) plan with firm contributions of up to 7% in the first year and up to 10% with tenure
• High-performing team members may have the opportunity to participate in firm ownership over time
• 11 paid holidays and 15 PTO days to use at your discretion. Additional PTO days are awarded for tax season overtime
• Employer covers 80% of Health, Dental, and Vision insurance premiums for individuals and families.
• Employer HSA contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Long-Term Disability.