Senior Tax Manager (Director Track)

**Make a difference. Empower clients. Lead the future of tax and tax advisory services.**

Join Berndt CPA LLC as a **Senior Tax Manager - Director Track or Tax Director** and help lead one of Wisconsin's top-rated tax advisory teams alongside our Chief Tax Officer. This role is ideal for an experienced tax leader ready to step into broader influence, strategic leadership, and long-term growth within the firm.

**Position Summary**

This position may be filled at the **Senior Tax Manager (Director Track)** or **Tax Director** level, depending on experience. The role assists in managing the firm's tax planning, compliance, and strategy for a portfolio of businesses, while actively contributing to client growth, firm leadership, and team development.

You will collaborate closely with firm partners and executive stakeholders, with significant influence, autonomy, and a clear pathway for advancement.

**Description of Duties**

• Provide oversight for federal, state, and local tax compliance and filings
• Design and implement tax planning strategies to legally minimize liability and support client profitability
• Represent clients during audits, tax controversies, and negotiations with tax authorities
• Consult on tax implications related to business transactions, M&A, and structural decisions
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a high-performing tax team
• Stay current with evolving tax laws and disseminate insights across the firm
• Enhance tax department efficiency through process improvements, SOPs, automation, and technology adoption
• Collaborate cross-functionally with accounting, payroll, and HR teams to deliver integrated client solutions
• Contribute to business development through RFP participation, networking, and thought leadership

**Recommended Skills and Qualifications**

• CPA license required (MST or JD/LLM in Taxation highly preferred)
• **Senior Tax Manager candidates:** 8+ years of progressive tax experience with leadership responsibility
• **Director-level candidates:** 10-15 years of progressive tax experience, including leadership roles
• Strong experience in public accounting or complex corporate tax environments
• Proficiency with tax software, research, and analytics tools
• Strategic thinking, business acumen, and strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop tax professionals
• Business development experience preferred (level of involvement scaled to role)
• Commitment to ethics and compliance under Circular 230 and professional standards
• Comfort with digital tax platforms and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools

**Best Practices for Success in This Role**

• Translate tax implications into practical business insights
• Significant experience with passthrough entities (S Corporations and Partnerships)
• Significant experience with multi-state tax compliance for businesses and high-net-worth individuals
• Working knowledge of estate and trust taxation preferred
• Our firm does not perform work for publicly traded companies
• Establish KPIs and SOPs to ensure quality and consistency
• Cultivate strong, long-term client relationships
• Champion process improvement through technology and automation
• Maintain high ethical standards across all practice areas
• Mentor team members and help build future firm leaders

**What We Offer**

At Berndt CPA LLC, we support our team members in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We provide a collaborative environment where professional growth is encouraged, and personal flexibility is respected. This position offers:

• Competitive compensation and bonus program
• Flex-time or full-time options with partial remote work available
• Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401k match)
• Supportive, people-first firm culture with regular team events
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Paid time for community involvement and networking
• Modern technology and tools in a collaborative environment

**Awards And Recognition - Recent**

• 2025 - Top Work Places - Small Business - Wisconsin State Journal
• 2025 - Best Places to Work - Small Business - Madison Magazine
• 2025 - Best Accounting Firm to Work For - Accounting Today
• 2024 - People's Choice Awards - Best Accounting Firm
• 2024 - Top Work Places - Small Business - Wisconsin State Journal
• 2024 - Best Places to Work - Small Business - Madison Magazine
• 2024 - InBusiness Executive Choice Award - Accounting Firm
• 2024 - Best Accounting Firm to Work For - Accounting Today

**If you're an experienced tax professional ready to grow your leadership impact within a forward-thinking firm, we'd love to start the conversation.**

Benefits

We provide a full benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including medical, dental, retirement options, and paid time off