What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Tax Manager (CPA) — Tax Director Track position at Pacific Northwest Tax Service?
Portland | In-office
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Tax Manager who will begin in a Senior Tax Manager role and grow into expanded Tax Director responsibilities through demonstrated leadership, judgment, and ownership. This is a high-impact position with direct access to firm leadership, meaningful autonomy, and a defined path toward Tax Director within a boutique firm of approximately 20 staff.
In this role, you will operate as a senior leader within a small, hands-on team—not as a layer within a large hierarchy. You will manage complex client relationships, review and sign returns, and take ownership of engagements while expanding your influence into firm-level decisions around pricing, workflow, team development, and operations.
We are seeking a Senior Tax Manager who demonstrates strategic, firm-level thinking—someone who approaches work structurally, understands firm economics and profitability, and can contribute meaningfully to discussions around pricing, workflow, and growth. This role requires the ability to mentor staff and managers, support leadership decision-making, and gradually expand into broader responsibilities that shape how the firm operates and scales.
This position is designed for an experienced tax professional ready to move beyond technical execution and into broader leadership responsibility, working directly with firm ownership in a fast-moving, collaborative environment. This is a client‑facing, signing, reviewing, leadership‑track position.
Work Environment
This is an in-office leadership role designed to support collaboration, client service, and team development.
- Extended hours during tax season: ~50 hours per week
- Outside tax season: ~35 hours per week
- Direct access to firm leadership and decision-making
What You’ll Do
Client Leadership & Engagement Ownership
- Manage a portfolio of business and individual clients from planning through completion
- Lead tax planning and advisory conversations with clients
- Review and sign complex returns (1040, 1065, 1120S, 1120, Oregon SALT, multi-state)
- Own engagement scope, delivery, and client communication
Technical Oversight & Problem Solving
- Resolve complex tax issues and support positions across a range of entity types
- Oversee multi-entity and multi-state compliance work
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and high-quality technical execution
Team Development & Collaboration
- Mentor and support Associates, Seniors, and Managers in their development
- Provide clear, practical technical feedback and review support
- Help maintain consistency in workflow and delivery standards across the team
Firm Contribution (Expanding with Scope)
As you grow in the role, you will take on increasing involvement in:
- Pricing and engagement scoping
- Workflow coordination and capacity planning
- Process improvement and operational efficiency
- Firm standards and internal best practices
Required Experience
- Active CPA license
- 7–10 years progressive public accounting experience
- 5 years managing complex client engagements
- 5 years reviewing and signing tax returns
- Strong technical knowledge in 1040, 1065, 1120S, 1120, Oregon SALT, and multi-state taxation
- Proven ability to independently manage client relationships
- Experience mentoring or supervising staff
- Strong communication and practical problem-solving skills
- Comfortable in a modern, paperless, boutique firm environment
Experience with 990, 1041, 706, 709, or international reporting is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
- $150,000–$185,000 base salary (DOE), for the Senior Tax Manager role
- Compensation increases based on demonstrated performance, expanded scope, and progression into Tax Director responsibilities over time
- Performance-based bonus opportunity tied to firm profitability, realization, and leadership impact
- Paid vacation, holidays, and comp time
- 401(k) with employer match
- Health and dental insurance
- CPE support
- Predictable schedule outside of tax season
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a brief note addressing:
- Your experience reviewing and signing complex returns
- Your leadership experience with staff and managers
- Why this role is the right next step for you
Pacific Northwest Tax Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Salary : $150,000 - $185,000