Senior Tax Associate (Palatine)

Looking for public accounting without the traditional public accounting lifestyle?

Caranella Tax & Advisory is looking for an experienced tax professional who wants meaningful client relationships, interesting tax work, and the opportunity to grow as an advisor—without excessive overtime, billable-hour quotas, or year-round busy-season hours.

We're a growing boutique CPA firm in Inverness, Illinois serving small businesses, real estate investors and professionals, and high-net-worth individuals. Most of our business clients have revenues between $1 million and $25 million, giving our team exposure to complex tax issues and meaningful planning opportunities.

This role is ideal for someone with 3–5+ years of public accounting tax experience who enjoys working directly with clients and wants to do more than simply prepare tax returns.

Why Join Caranella?

• Tax season hours generally limited to 45–50 hours per week
• 32-hour workweeks during the summer
• No time tracking or billable-hour quotas
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility
• Direct relationships with business owners, investors, and individual clients
• Meaningful involvement in tax planning and advisory work
• Direct access to firm leadership and one-on-one mentorship
• Opportunity to help shape processes and technology at a growing firm
• A culture that values excellent work without sacrificing your personal life

What You'll Do

• Prepare and review individual, partnership, S corporation, trust, and other entity tax returns
• Participate in tax planning, projections, and strategy throughout the year
• Communicate directly with clients about tax positions, planning opportunities, and deadlines
• Research tax issues and develop practical recommendations
• Assist with accounting, bookkeeping, reconciliations, and financial reporting matters when needed
• Identify opportunities to help clients make better tax and financial decisions
• Help improve firm processes, technology, and the overall client experience

What We're Looking For

• 3–5+ years of recent public accounting tax experience
• CPA preferred or actively pursuing licensure
• Experience with partnerships, S corporations, trusts, and high-net-worth individuals
• Strong accounting fundamentals
• Experience with QuickBooks Online and professional tax software; CCH Axcess experience is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable communicating directly with clients
• Curious, proactive, and interested in developing beyond tax compliance into planning and advisory work

Compensation & Benefits

• $90,000–$120,000+ salary, based on experience - We recognize that experience levels vary. Exceptional candidates with strong public accounting, tax planning, client relationship, and review experience may be considered above the stated range.
• Health insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Paid CPE and CPA exam support
• Hybrid work environment
• 45–50 hour tax-season workweeks
• 32-hour summer workweeks
• One-on-one mentorship and professional development
• Significant opportunity for growth as the firm expands

About Caranella Tax & Advisory

Caranella Tax & Advisory is a modern public accounting firm serving entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, real estate professionals and investors, and high-net-worth individuals.

We combine tax compliance with proactive tax planning and advisory services and believe the best client relationships are built by understanding the business and the people behind the numbers.

We're building a firm where talented professionals can develop into trusted advisors, do excellent work, and still have a life outside of work. If that sounds like the kind of public accounting career you're looking for, we'd like to hear from you. Apply through LinkedIn.