Tax Manager - Firm Services

Cerity Partners Management LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4% match

Flexible PTO policy

Parental Leave

Financial assistance for advanced education

Job summary

Cerity Partners Management LLC is seeking a Tax Manager in Chicago, IL, to lead the tax function, including multistate tax compliance, income tax provision management, and M&A due diligence. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, a CPA, and 5–8+ years of tax experience.

This role offers a compensation range of $135,000 – $155,000 and includes benefits like health insurance from day one, a 401(k) plan with a 4% match, and a flexible PTO policy.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of tax experience.
• Experience with U.S. Federal and state income tax compliance.
• Experience with ASC 740 income tax provision preparation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review state and local tax returns across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage K-1 preparation and distribution for equity holders and partners.
• Support the annual budgeting process by preparing tax liability projections.

Skills

Tax compliance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA certification

Job description

Position Summary

Are you a tax professional looking to step into a role where you can own a function, shape a process, and grow with a business? Cerity Partners is an entrepreneurial, fast‑growing RIA where the Tax Manager has a real opportunity to build this role from the ground up: identifying tax credits in new jurisdictions, driving efficiency through insourcing, and ultimately positioning the function to grow into a team. If you are proactive, curious, and ready to leave a mark on a tax function, this may be the right next move.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Multistate Tax Compliance (SALT)
   • Prepare and review state and local tax returns across 20+ jurisdictions, including partnership, franchise, gross receipts, and business tax filings.
   • Manage apportionment analysis and market‑based sourcing calculations across key jurisdictions.
   • Oversee city/local filings including San Francisco Gross Receipts Tax, Philadelphia BIRT/NPT, NYC Commercial Rent Tax, Washington B&O, Tennessee F&E, and LA City Business Tax.
   • Prepare quarterly federal and state estimated tax payment calculations across all entities; coordinate with external tax advisors for review and sign‑off prior to submission.
   • Take primary ownership of all federal and state tax notices: triage, respond, and resolve.
   • Maintain state nexus tracker and update filing obligations as new offices open and headcount expands; complete state registrations as needed.
   • Maintain sales tax compliance, including filing and correspondence.
   • Prepare monthly or quarterly personal property tax, commercial activity tax, and other returns.
2. Income Tax Provision (ASC 740)
   • Prepare and maintain the annual income tax provision workbook, including all deferred tax asset/liability schedules.
   • Perform purchase accounting deferred tax analysis for acquisitions, including identification of book/tax differences arising from intangible asset step‑ups.
   • Prepare and update uncertain tax position (UTP) memos in accordance with ASC 740‑10.
   • Coordinate provision review with Controller and external auditors; prepare supporting schedules and respond to auditor inquiries.
3. Tax Due Diligence on Mergers & Acquisitions
   • Review target company federal and state tax returns, identify historical exposures, and quantify risk.
   • Prepare Form 8594 (Asset Acquisition Statement) for all closed asset acquisitions.
   • Provide support in assessing the tax impact of transactions including mergers, financing, and business initiatives.
4. Partnership & Entity Tax Compliance
   • Manage K‑1 preparation and distribution for equity holders and partners; maintain capital account records.
   • Maintain tax basis schedules for partnership interests, goodwill, and acquired intangibles.
   • Work with our external tax team to prepare federal and state corporate income tax returns for the blocker C‑corp entity.
5. Process & Systems Management
   • Support the annual budgeting process by preparing jurisdiction‑level tax liability projections.
   • Proactively identify tax credit opportunities, cost savings, and productivity improvements across jurisdictions — and own the implementation.
   • Develop and maintain knowledge of tax laws and current developments; evaluate opportunities to insource tax compliance currently handled by external advisors and build toward managing a team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA required.
• 5–8+ years of tax experience.
• U.S. Federal and state income tax compliance experience required; SALT experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with ASC 740 income tax provision preparation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced, acquisitive environment.
• Strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public accounting background (Big 4 or national firm) with transition to industry.
• Demonstrated experience supporting M&A tax due diligence in a transaction‑intensive environment.
• Prior experience in financial services, RIA, or private equity‑backed company.
• Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, or MBA.

Skills and Competencies

• Highly organized and adept at implementing processes and creating checklists.
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive mindset — brings ideas, finds opportunities, and builds — not just executes tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Compensation

$135,000 – $155,000

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance – day 1!
• 401(k) savings and investment plan options with 4% match.
• Flexible PTO policy.
• Parental Leave.
• Financial assistance for advanced education and professional designations.
• Opportunity to give back time to local communities.
• Commuter benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who respects each individual and supports the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of our colleagues. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Cerity Partners is committed to working with and providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities or special needs. For those needing accommodations, please reach out to [e-mail]. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.