Senior Tax Manager

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

*The ideal candidate will live in the Chicagoland area.

As a Senior Tax Manager, you will be responsible for contributing to the development and execution of our tax strategy. You will help lead and oversee all aspects of tax operations, special projects and initiatives. This includes managing ASC 740 provisions, estimation of cash taxes, federal, state, and foreign income, franchise, sales and use tax compliance and audits, and tax planning matters, as well as providing informal mentorship and support to the members of our tax team. You will be expected to proactively identify needs, risks, and opportunities to set priorities and optimize resources, mitigate exposures, solve complex tax issues, and drive automation and process improvement. You will operate independently and manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.

The Senior Tax Manager is a highly visible position with direct contact with Cars Commerce senior management. In this role, you will partner and collaborate with finance and other business leaders across our organization, and will have an opportunity to grow and progress within the tax department. This role reports to VP, Tax.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and oversee preparation of quarterly and annual ASC 740 provision calculations using OneSource Tax Provision, as well as, related SEC disclosures and internal reporting packages

• Manage U.S. and Canadian tax compliance process, including review and approval of all federal, state, franchise, sales and use, foreign tax returns and preparation of related workpapers, schedules and disclosures. Ensure workpapers and returns are accurate, appropriately documented and organized, timely filed and audit ready

• Review calculations of estimated payments and extensions to ensure they are complete, proper, and timely filed

• Oversee maintenance of U.S. and Canadian tax related balance sheet accounts, including payable and all deferred tax asset and liability accounts

• Manage multiple workstreams by identifying needs and priorities, defining deliverables, establishing and managing timelines and related workplans

• Work proactively with finance and other business teams to identify and resolve tax issues, including tax technical and ASC 740 guidance, and due diligence support for potential M&A transactions

• Partner with finance and other business teams to ensure accurate and timely submission of all tax-related information to and from our tax team

• Identify and assess process enhancement and standardization opportunities, plan, develop budgets and business cases for projects, and lead implementation

• Assess, develop, document, and ensure consistent adherence of tax operations, special projects, and initiatives to tax department and broader organization policies and guidelines

• Contribute to development and implementation of tax strategy

• Ensure SOX compliance and related internal and external audit requests are addressed appropriately and timely

• Manage tax notices, identify and escalate tax exposures, lead negotiations and resolve tax audits

• Monitor impact of changes in tax laws, regulations, and accounting standards and assess impact on tax and business operations, as well as, the organization’s tax reporting

• Resolve complex tax technical issues arising upon changes and growth in the business, identify tax related risks and planning opportunities, and present practical recommendations

• Steer negotiations with external advisors, vendors, and customers

• Establish strong relationships, demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills to maintain and further propel our collaborative and open communication environment. Represent and lead on behalf of tax department in cross-functional projects and initiatives

• Provide informal mentorship and technical guidance to, and contribute to further development of our tax team members

This is what you will need to succeed in your role:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Economics required. CPA, IRS EA, or Master's degree in Taxation required

• 8+ years of experience with a Big 4 firm or a medium-to-large corporate tax department of a publicly traded company, in progressive responsibility roles, primarily dedicated to preparing and/or reviewing complex ASC 740 provisions

• Extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP, solid technical proficiency and strong practical application of ASC 740

• Strong U.S. income, franchise, and sales and use taxes compliance experience

• Experience of solving a wide range of tax and tax accounting technical matters of high complexity, including in context of M&A transactions

• Experience with U.S. international, Canadian cross-border, and foreign taxation is preferred

• Experience in dealing with tax authorities and resolving tax audits effectively

• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute multiple projects, coordinate with finance and other teams across the organization and external advisors, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Passion to challenge the status quo, drive change and efficiencies respectfully, and act as a catalyst to innovation within organization

• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement tax systems, tools, and process improvements and standardization

• Proficiency in OneSource Tax Provision is preferred

• Ability to work independently with attention to detail and pride in their deliverable

• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with ability to articulate thoughts clearly and interact with all stakeholders, both internal and external effectively

• Experience in managing relationships with external auditors and advisors

• Embody the highest standards of integrity, ethics, sense of ownership and accountability

#LI-EJ

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.Salary Range$135,300.00-169,150.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

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