Tax Manager - Estate & Trust Team

Kerkering, Barberio & Co; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Relocation bonus

Training & development

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

401(k)

401(k) matching

Company parties

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Free food & snacks

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Kerkering, Barberio & Co. in Southwest Florida seeks an experienced Tax Manager to lead our Estate & Trust team, handling complex fiduciary and individual tax engagements.

You will oversee the preparation and review of Form 1041 and related returns, supervise staff, and advise on fiduciary accounting matters while building strong client relationships and contributing to firm growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field is required.
• CPA license is required.
• 7+ years of progressive public accounting experience in estate, trust, fiduciary, gift, and high-net-worth taxation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation and review of fiduciary income tax returns (Form 1041) and related reports.
• Oversee returns for high-net-worth individuals, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries.
• Provide guidance on fiduciary accountings and tax matters related to estate administration.
• Supervise engagement teams, coach staff, and ensure quality control.
• Develop client relationships and collaborate with attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals.

Skills

Estate & trust taxation

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Tax research

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA license

Tools

Tax preparation software

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation bonus
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Free food & snacks
• Tuition assistance

Tax Manager – Estate & Trust

At Kerkering, Barberio & Co., we believe exceptional client service starts with exceptional people.

As one of the largest locally owned public accounting firms in Southwest Florida, we have built our reputation through trusted relationships, technical excellence, and a commitment to helping our clients, employees, and communities thrive. We are proud to remain independent and focused on long‑term success.

We are seeking an experienced Tax Manager to join our Estate & Trust Team. This is an opportunity for a tax professional with meaningful estate, trust, gift, and high‑net‑worth individual experience to take ownership of complex engagements, develop trusted client and professional relationships, and help develop the professionals around them.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge with sound judgment, curiosity, and a relationship‑focused approach to client service. They are comfortable managing multiple engagements, anticipating issues before they become problems, and working directly with clients, fiduciaries, attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals to move matters forward.

What You'll Do

Client & Engagement Management

• Assume responsibility for all phases of assigned estate, trust, gift, and related individual tax engagements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients throughout the year and develop a thorough understanding of their estate planning, fiduciary, tax, and personal needs.
• Manage multiple concurrent engagements, including planning, scheduling, staffing, workflow, deadlines, and budgets.
• Anticipate engagement issues and client needs, evaluate potential solutions, and keep Shareholders informed of significant developments.
• Communicate complex tax matters clearly and professionally with clients, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, attorneys, financial advisors, and other professional partners.
• Identify opportunities to provide additional value to clients and collaborate with other KB service areas when appropriate.

Estate, Trust & Tax Expertise

• Oversee the preparation and review of complex fiduciary income tax returns, including Form 1041 and related beneficiary reporting.
• Oversee the preparation and review of complex individual income tax returns, including returns for high‑net‑worth individuals, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries.
• Prepare and review estate and gift tax returns, including Forms 706 and 709.
• Review estate and trust financial activity, distributions, deductions, income allocations, and supporting documentation.
• Provide guidance on fiduciary accountings and tax matters related to estate and trust administration.
• Research complex estate, trust, gift, fiduciary, and individual tax matters and recommend practical solutions.
• Identify tax‑planning opportunities and matters requiring additional consultation with a Shareholder.
• Oversee extended returns, amended returns, tax notices, and other post‑filing matters.
• Ensure engagements and work products are completed in accordance with professional standards, Firm policies, and quality control requirements.

Leadership & Development

• Supervise engagement teams and provide clear direction, coaching, and on‑the‑job development.
• Review tax returns, workpapers, and other deliverables prepared by team members for technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to Firm standards.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback that supports continued technical and professional development.
• Mentor and counsel team members and participate in performance appraisals and goal‑setting.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and other professional development initiatives.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across the team.

Practice & Relationship Development

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients and professional partners.
• Participate in Firm practice development efforts and identify opportunities to develop new and expanded client relationships.
• Develop relationships within the professional and local community through civic, charitable, business, and industry involvement.
• Contribute to the continued growth and reputation of the Estate & Trust practice and the Firm.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.
• CPA license required.
• 7+ years of progressive public accounting experience, including meaningful experience with estate, trust, fiduciary, gift, and high‑net‑worth individual taxation.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local tax matters affecting estates, trusts, gifts, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and individuals.
• Significant experience preparing and reviewing Forms 1040, 1041, and 706; experience with Form 709 and fiduciary accountings strongly preferred.
• Ability to interpret wills, trust documents, financial records, tax documents, and related supporting information.
• Demonstrated progression in the complexity, scope, and management of tax engagements.
• Sound critical thinking, professional judgment, and decision‑making skills, including the ability to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Strong client relationship and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with attorneys, financial advisors, fiduciaries, and other professionals.
• Proven ability to supervise, coach, and develop less‑experienced professionals.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with tax preparation software, spreadsheets, tax research tools, and other business technology.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with Firm policies, professional standards, and quality control requirements.
• Maintain current technical knowledge through continuing professional education and developments from the IRS, Congress, AICPA, and other applicable authorities.
• Meet established performance expectations related to productivity, realization, and client service.
• Effectively manage billing and collections for assigned client relationships.
• Contribute to special projects and other Firm initiatives as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Working Requirements

• Occasional local and overnight travel for client meetings, professional development, networking events, and Firm‑related activities.
• Extended hours may be required throughout the year to meet client needs and business demands, with increased workloads expected during peak tax seasons.

Kerkering, Barberio & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors.

Flexible work from home options available.