Tax Senior Manager - Compensation & Benefits

RSM • Chicago, IL

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager on RSM’s Compensation and Benefits Tax Advisory team works with global and domestic, public and private clients on employee-related tax matters. The role focuses on executive compensation, fringe benefits, and other employment-related tax reporting, withholding, and deduction issues. It combines technical tax expertise with strategic and practical guidance.

The Senior Manager leads client projects, reviews tax analyses and research, and works with team members to deliver engagements. The role also involves collaborating across practices, building client and stakeholder relationships, managing complex projects, providing consulting advice, and potentially contributing to thought leadership, identifying cross-selling opportunities, and serving as a performance advisor to other consultants. Team leadership includes training and developing colleagues, managing resources and workflow, and overseeing engagement metrics and invoicing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field from an accredited university.
• Active CPA license in the state of residence or primary office, active Enrolled Agent (EA) license, or active Attorney license.
• At least eight years of experience in public accounting or a similar role.
• Strong understanding of federal income and/or employment tax principles.
• Proactive, growth-oriented approach and ability to build a professional network.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to meet client service, quality, and performance expectations within applicable deadlines and firm and client standards.
• Strong professional communication skills with firm personnel and clients, in person, by telephone, and through electronic or written means.
• Effective project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, tasks, and projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines, and maintaining accuracy and quality in a fast-paced client-service environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a professional office environment and, as required, at client sites; ability to sit for extended periods and work at a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Availability for consistent onsite presence during core business hours, regular reporting to a firm office, and travel to client sites as required, including access to reliable transportation.
• Flexibility to work extended and/or non-standard hours during peak periods or as needed to meet client, project, or firm business needs.

Nice To Haves

• Recent experience with a national professional services or compensation consulting firm.
• Working knowledge of tax impacts of various compensation components.
• Experience across industries and ownership structures, including publicly and privately owned companies, private equity, family offices, exempt organizations, and state and local governments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project steps, deliverables, timelines, tools, and firm-approved methodologies for compensation and benefits engagements.
• Apply knowledge of compensation and benefits tax laws, regulations, and other authorities, and assist in training others on related technical matters.
• Review written guidance, technical memoranda, articles, and client communications concerning matters including Internal Revenue Code sections 83, 162(m), 404, 409A, and 280G.
• Participate in and often lead discussions with client stakeholders and their advisors to discuss issues and collaborate on solutions.
• Review and advise on tax implications of compensation plans and related impacts of mergers and acquisitions transactions.
• Collaborate with specialty groups on intersecting technical matters, including cross-border, corporate, and partnership taxation, and build relationships to support client service growth.
• Assist in managing team operations, including training, mentoring, developing, and providing feedback to consultants.
• Manage resource allocation, utilization, and workflow; oversee engagement metrics and invoicing.
• Manage complex client projects and maintain client and other stakeholder relationships.
• Potentially contribute to thought leadership, identify cross-selling opportunities, and serve as a performance advisor to other consultants.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits and compensation package.
• Eligibility for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.
• Hybrid workstyle for most roles, with in-person connection when it supports clients, teams, development, or relationship-building.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior