Tax Senior Manager, SALT (Direct Tax)

Description

Position Summary

We are seeking a Tax Senior Manager to join our SALT team. The Tax Senior Manager, SALT (Direct Tax) serves as a strategic leader responsible for overseeing complex, multi-service state and local tax engagements and driving long-term client and firm success. This role manages executive-level client relationships, integrates cross-functional services, and applies advanced technical and industry expertise to deliver high-value SALT compliance and advisory solutions.

The Tax Senior Manager, SALT acts as a trusted business advisor, develops future leaders, and contributes to portfolio growth, market expansion, and specialty practice development. This position balances exceptional client service with firm priorities while modeling GMCO's values, culture, and commitment to excellence.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and manage complex, multi-service SALT engagements at the executive level — anticipating deliverable timelines, resolving issues before escalation, and aligning internal resources for seamless execution — ensuring compliance with applicable state and local tax laws, regulations, and firm methodology, and preparing deliverables for shareholder review with accuracy and strategic presentation tailored to the audience.
• Evaluate and provide expert guidance on state income and franchise tax matters, including nexus determinations, unitary filing positions, apportionment methodologies, tax base rules, combined state tax returns for corporations and pass-through entities, and ASC 740 state tax provisions; serve as a recognized technical authority in these areas and shape technical strategy across specialty SALT engagements.
• Manage engagement economics with strategic foresight and financial discipline — overseeing pricing, budgeting, billing, scope management, staffing, and workflow efficiency across multiple concurrent complex engagements — optimizing resource allocation and making delivery decisions that balance client needs against GMCO's long-term profitability goals.
• Build and deepen executive-level client relationships by proactively tracking evolving client priorities and communicating throughout the year on engagement status, emerging issues, legislative and regulatory developments, and state tax planning opportunities; influence client strategy, help clients navigate multi-state tax trends and regulatory changes, and identify opportunities to enhance their tax positions.
• Act as a trusted business advisor by integrating cross-functional services, connecting complex client challenges to GMCO's full suite of offerings, and owning portfolio growth targets through cross-selling, identification of new market opportunities, and leadership of go-to-market strategies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop staff, senior associates, and managers through on-the-job coaching, internal CPE, engagement and annual performance evaluations, and career development guidance; drive succession planning, offer stretch opportunities, support recruitment of top talent, and build a pipeline of future firm leaders.
• Model ethical leadership and proactive risk management by identifying and mitigating risks, mentoring others in professional conduct, and contributing to external publications and technical forums that advance GMCO's thought leadership and industry presence in state and local taxation.
• Champion organizational change and firm culture by contributing practical solutions, modeling adaptability, leading firm-wide initiatives, and promoting GMCO's brand through industry speaking engagements, published insights, and participation in professional organizations; demonstrate a firm-first mindset in all resource, delivery, and growth decisions.
• Demonstrate and uphold core values including integrity, quality, innovation, stewardship, and inclusivity in all aspects of client service and team leadership.

Requirements

What makes you a fit

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: A minimum of 7+ years of recent public accounting experience in tax, including demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-service SALT engagements.
• Specialty: Broad and advanced exposure to State and Local Taxes, including deep experience with Direct SALT — state income and franchise tax compliance, workpaper preparation, and technical research — as well as working knowledge of credits and incentives, sales and use tax, and other SALT matters; recognized expertise across a wide variety of multi-state tax issues.
• Technical Skills: Advanced technical proficiency in ASC 740 state provisions, nexus considerations, unitary filing positions, apportionment methodologies, tax base rules, corporate and pass-through state returns, combined state returns, multi-state tax planning and analysis, tax research, and compliance and consulting across multi-state jurisdictions; advanced understanding of accounting method changes and tax depreciation rules as they apply to state tax.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing managers and developing future leaders, including succession planning and talent strategy.
• License: Active CPA license required.
• Communication: Exceptional executive communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical matters into clear, strategic insights for clients and firm leadership; experience contributing to external publications or technical forums a plus.
• Software: Highly proficient with Microsoft Office and tax compliance software platforms; adaptable to emerging technologies.
• Project Management: Strong ability to manage multiple complex engagements and competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Compensation & Benefits

At Geffen Mesher, we value transparency and equity in compensation. The compensation offered for this position will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to: years of relevant experience, unique or specialized skill sets, education, licensure, internal equity, and location. The estimated salary range for this position is $135,000-$200,000 .

Additional Benefits Include

• 401k with a 3% employer contribution
• Discretionary profit sharing of up to 4.5% annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance. We cover 100% of the individual medical premium!
• Generous PTO, plus 12 Paid Holidays, 8 hours of Volunteer Time and Paid Parental Leave
• Hybrid work options and flexible working hours in the summer
• Parking and Transit Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• On-site gym and locker room
• Incentive plan for sales leads
• Generous Employee Referral Program

Company Overview

Geffen Mesher and Company, PC (GMCO) proudly stands as one of Portland's foremost locally owned accounting firms, with a distinguished history of over 90 years dedicated to serving clients throughout the Northwest. We owe our enduring success to our client‑centric ethos and unwavering commitment to our team members. We provide a full suite of professional services, including Accounting, Assurance, Business Consulting, Business Valuation, Data and Analytics, Litigation Support, Family Office, Transaction Services, and full-service Tax planning, spanning several industries.

At GMCO, we believe in fostering strong, lasting partnerships with our clients, and we do the same for our team members. We are a large firm with a small firm feel. Our shareholders are humble, down‑to‑earth humans who hire and support motivated and resourceful people and provide opportunities to lead successful personal and professional lives. We provide ample growth opportunities whether you are starting as an intern, or you are a seasoned manager.

Geffen Mesher is committed equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.