Tax Manager - Business Tax Compliance and Advisory

Who We Are

About Sweeney Conrad

At Sweeney Conrad, our foundation of “people first” begins with our employees—because we know the success of our firm stems from the relationships within it. We consider our employees family and foster a positive work culture, encouraging a healthy balance between work and life; building a career over having a job; continuing education and skill development; and being actively involved in the Puget Sound community where we live, work, and play.

We’re proud of our employees and our culture and have been recognized by Accounting Today as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” and by Puget Sound Business Journal as one of “Washington’s Best Workplaces”. For more information, visit www.sweeneyconrad.com.

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

Tax Manager

A Tax Manager leads the preparation, review, and delivery of federal and state tax returns for a diverse portfolio of clients in professional services, technology, manufacturing and distribution, hospitality, and healthcare. The client base ranges from pre-revenue startups to businesses with up to $80 million in revenue and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and family-owned businesses. The role involves identifying planning opportunities, ensuring compliance, managing client relationships, and serving as a trusted advisor.

The Tax Manager also supervises and develops staff and senior associates, manages engagement timelines and budgets, resolves complex tax matters, and coordinates closely with CAAS, Audit, and Advisory teams. Strong technical, leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential in this high-volume environment. This position reports to the Tax Partner and is based in Kirkland, Washington, with a hybrid work schedule.

Specific Duties Will Include

• Manage and review a portfolio of federal and state tax engagements from planning through completion
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships by serving as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact
• Review complex tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and family-owned businesses
• Oversee tax compliance for clients in professional services, technology, manufacturing and distribution, hospitality, and healthcare
• Manage multiple engagements simultaneously, ensuring projects are completed accurately, timely, and within budget
• Identify opportunities to improve client tax positions and support long-term financial goals
• Contribute to business development efforts by identifying opportunities within existing client relationships and supporting prospective client initiatives
• Stay current on changes in tax laws, regulations, and industry trends to ensure compliance and deliver proactive guidance
• Supervise, train, and mentor staff and senior associates
• Assign work, establish timelines, monitor budgets, and manage engagement workflow
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and maintain strong client relationships
• Perform other duties as assigned by the department managers

The successful candidate will have

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Taxation
• Active CPA license or Enrolled Agent (EA) credential
• 5 to 10 years’ experience in public accounting tax experience, including experience managing client engagements
• Experience reviewing tax returns and workpapers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable regulations
• Experience serving individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and/or family-owned businesses
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CCH products
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple tasks and in organizing and prioritizing work assignments and ongoing duties  
• Ability to communicate effectively and timely in writing and verbally with colleagues, clients, and other external partners 
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment 

Benefits:

The pay range for this role is $115,000 - $150,000 per year. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education, and/or skill level.

For employees working 30 or more hours per week, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as dependent coverage; Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; and employer-paid life and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. We also provide flexible time off (PTO) and 13 paid holidays.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.