Trust & Estates Tax Manager, CPA

Wertz & Associates; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Performance-based bonus opportunities

Flexible and hybrid work arrangements

Comprehensive health, dental, and vis​

401(k) with employer match

Professional development and CE

Paid community involvement and network

Team-building events and firm-sponsed

Modern technology and advisory-focused

Work-life balance commitment

Job summary

Wertz & Associates is seeking a Trust & Estates Tax Manager to lead fiduciary, estate, gift, and high-net-worth taxation matters for wealthy clients. This advisory-focused role emphasizes strategic planning over compliance, with collaboration among attorneys, wealth managers, and family offices.

The position offers a base salary of $140,000–$190,000 with performance bonuses, hybrid flex, and opportunities to grow into a trusted advisor and subject-matter expert within a collaborative firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
• Active CPA license.
• 7–10+ years of progressive tax experience.
• Significant experience with fiduciary, estate, gift, and high-net-worth individual taxation.
• Strong understanding of Forms 1041, 706, and related estate planning concepts.
• Experience reviewing returns and supervising staff.
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Estate & Trust Tax Advisory
• Prepare and review fiduciary, estate, gift, and individual income tax returns
• Provide strategic tax planning related to trusts, estates, wealth transfer, and succession planning
• Assist clients in developing tax-efficient estate and gifting strategies
• Analyze complex fiduciary and trust structures
• Stay current on estate, gift, and fiduciary tax law developments
• Client Relationship Management
• Serve as the primary advisor for assigned trust and estate clients
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families
• Participate in planning meetings alongside attorneys, financial advisors, and firm leadership
• Deliver proactive recommendations and ongoing advisory services
• Help clients navigate complex tax and wealth-planning decisions
• Technical Leadership
• Research complex tax issues and communicate recommendations clearly
• Review work prepared by staff and provide technical guidance
• Assist with IRS and state examinations, notices, and tax controversies
• Develop best practices and enhance the firm’s trust and estate expertise
• Help establish consistent quality control standards
• Team Development
• Mentor and train tax professionals
• Share technical knowledge and industry best practices
• Support staff development and continuing education initiatives
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment

Skills

Fiduciary taxation

Estate taxation

High-net-worth taxation

Tax planning

Client relationship management

Leadership & mentoring

Reviewing returns & supervising staff

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Active CPA license

Job description

Trust & Estates Tax Manager, CPA

High-Net-Worth Advisory | Estate & Trust Planning | Wealth Transfer Strategy | Award-Winning Firm

Compensation: $140,000–$190,000 Base + Performance Bonus + Leadership Growth Opportunity

Location: Madison, Wisconsin (Hybrid Flexibility Available)

Our client, an award-winning and rapidly growing tax advisory firm, is seeking an experienced Trust & Estates Tax Manager to join its expanding wealth advisory and tax practice.

This is not a traditional tax compliance role.

This is an opportunity to become a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals, multi-generational families, business owners, trustees, and their legal and financial advisors. You'll help clients preserve wealth, navigate complex estate and fiduciary tax matters, and develop tax-efficient strategies that impact generations.

If you enjoy combining deep technical expertise with meaningful client relationships and sophisticated planning work, this could be an exceptional next step in your career.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• $140,000–$190,000 base salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Advisory-focused environment with minimal compliance-only work
• Significant exposure to high-net-worth individuals and family wealth planning
• Estate, gift, trust, and succession planning opportunities
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture
• Direct access to firm partners and leadership
• Opportunity to become a subject matter expert and strategic advisor
• Award-winning workplace with a people-first culture

Exceptional candidates with significant fiduciary taxation expertise, advanced estate planning experience, or business development capabilities may be considered above the posted compensation range.

The Opportunity

As Trust & Estates Tax Manager, you'll serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor for sophisticated estate, trust, fiduciary, wealth transfer, and individual tax matters.

You'll collaborate closely with attorneys, wealth managers, trustees, executors, business owners, and family offices to help clients navigate the complexities of preserving and transferring wealth while minimizing tax exposure.

This role offers exposure to:

• Fiduciary Taxation (Form 1041)
• Estate & Gift Tax Planning
• High-Net-Worth Individual Taxation
• Wealth Transfer Strategies
• Succession Planning
• Family Legacy Planning
• Estate Administration
• Advisory Services & Client Relationship Management

Key Responsibilities

Estate & Trust Tax Advisory

• Prepare and review fiduciary, estate, gift, and individual income tax returns
• Provide strategic tax planning related to trusts, estates, wealth transfer, and succession planning
• Assist clients in developing tax-efficient estate and gifting strategies
• Analyze complex fiduciary and trust structures
• Stay current on estate, gift, and fiduciary tax law developments

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary advisor for assigned trust and estate clients
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families
• Participate in planning meetings alongside attorneys, financial advisors, and firm leadership
• Deliver proactive recommendations and ongoing advisory services
• Help clients navigate complex tax and wealth-planning decisions

Technical Leadership

• Research complex tax issues and communicate recommendations clearly
• Review work prepared by staff and provide technical guidance
• Assist with IRS and state examinations, notices, and tax controversies
• Develop best practices and enhance the firm’s trust and estate expertise
• Help establish consistent quality control standards

Team Development

• Mentor and train tax professionals
• Share technical knowledge and industry best practices
• Support staff development and continuing education initiatives
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
• Active CPA license
• 7–10+ years of progressive tax experience
• Significant experience with fiduciary, estate, gift, and high-net-worth individual taxation
• Strong understanding of Forms 1041, 706, and related estate planning concepts
• Experience reviewing returns and supervising staff
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Who Thrives Here?

The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys working with high-net-worth individuals and families
• Thinks strategically beyond tax compliance
• Values becoming a trusted long‑term advisor
• Enjoys mentoring and developing team members
• Has a consultative and relationship‑driven approach
• Appreciates sophisticated tax planning work
• Wants meaningful influence within a growing advisory practice

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Paid community involvement and networking opportunities
• Team-building events and firm-sponsored activities
• Modern technology and advisory‑focused environment
• Strong commitment to work‑life balance

Work-Life Balance That Actually Means Something

Many firms talk about work-life balance.

This firm measures it.

• January through April: Average of approximately 53 hours per week
• May through December: Average of approximately 36 hours per week

The philosophy is simple: sustainable careers are built through flexibility, balance, and mutual support.

About Our Client

Our client is one of Wisconsin’s most respected and innovative tax advisory firms, serving business owners, entrepreneurs, high‑net‑worth individuals, and multi‑generational families. The firm has earned multiple workplace and industry awards for its culture, client service, and commitment to employee success.

Unlike traditional CPA firms, the organization operates with an advisory-first mindset. Professionals focus on helping clients make better decisions, preserve wealth, and achieve long‑term objectives rather than simply preparing tax returns.

The firm’s investment in technology, collaboration, professional growth, and client relationships has earned recognition as one of Wisconsin’s best places to work and one of the nation’s best accounting firms.

If you’re a Trust & Estates Tax professional seeking a sophisticated advisory role with meaningful client relationships, complex planning opportunities, and exceptional work‑life balance, we’d love to speak with you confidentially.