Tax Manager - Firm Services

Cerity Partners•Chicago, IL

1d•$135,000 - $155,000•Remote

About The Position

Cerity Partners is seeking a Tax Manager to own and build the tax function from the ground up. This role offers the opportunity to identify tax credits in new jurisdictions, drive efficiency through insourcing, and grow the function into a team. The ideal candidate is proactive, curious, and ready to make a significant impact.

Requirements

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
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
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.