Senior Tax Manager

At Aardvark Tax Advisors, the client comes first.  We’re a full-service tax, accounting, and advisory firm serving small businesses and entrepreneurs. Our people are uniquely enabled to spend more of their time understanding clients, solving complex problems, and building lasting relationships.

Technology helps make that possible.  As the accounting and client services practice of Cynch AI, we use proprietary AI to reduce routine tasks and free up time for higher-value client work. Our tools support the work. Our people remain accountable for the outcome.

We’re building an expanding practice with clear paths for career advancement.  We're a fast-growing practice with clear paths for advancement. We grow organically and through strategic acquisitions, and as we grow so does our team's scope of responsibility. Each level has defined expectations and advancement criteria, with performance-based opportunities for greater responsibility and equity over time.

We’re looking for a Senior Tax Manager to own complex engagements, lead a team, and elevate the quality bar.  That means working across entity types, acting as a trusted advisor, and developing the people doing the work.

The role is hybrid, based out of our  Pleasanton , Cupertino , or Santa Cruz offices, with additional potential work locations in the North Bay.

What You'll Do

Client Relationships & Tax Delivery

• Own client relationships on complex tax matters, including planning, compliance, and consulting, and be the person clients call when something is urgent or complicated.

• Lead the preparation and review of complex returns for corporations, partnerships, individuals, trusts, and estates across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

• Deliver tax planning that goes beyond compliance; identify tax-saving opportunities, develop tax-efficient strategies, and advise clients on the impact of legislative changes.
• Stay current on legislative changes and preemptively translate them into specific, actionable guidance.
• Ensure every return that leaves the practice meets the standard you’d put your own name on.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of tax professionals. Set expectations, give direct feedback, and hold people accountable.
• Run performance evaluations that are specific and useful. Know where the team is strong and where it isn’t, and build the training and processes to close those gaps.

Practice Development & Quality

• Identify opportunities to expand services with existing clients where the value is real.
• Monitor and manage tax risk for the practice and for clients, ensuring positions are defensible. 

Requirements

Core qualifications

• Active CPA or EA required.
• 10+ years in public accounting or tax, with real depth in compliance, planning, and advisory across individuals, partnerships, and small-business entities.
• Proven experience managing and developing tax professionals—not just assigning work, but building people.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations, including complex returns and multi-entity planning.
• Direct client relationship experience. You’ve managed a book of business, juggled competing deadlines, and kept clients informed.
• Proficiency in professional tax software (UltraTax, CCH Axcess, Lacerte, or similar).

Helpful additions

• Experience taking over and maintaining client relationships through practice transitions.
• Track record of growing client relationships and expanding practice areas through business development.

Work Environment

• Hybrid : 3 days/week in either Cupertino, Santa Cruz, or Pleasanton, CA, North Bay locations possible.
• Extended hours during peak tax season and as needed to meet client deadlines.
• Occasional travel for client meetings or practice events.

Estimated California compensation for this role in estimated to be between $150,000 and $210,000/year.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

• Retirement Plan (401k))
• Life Insurance (Basic)
• Paid Time Off (Unlimited Vacation, plus Sick & Public Holidays
• Work From Home (Hybrid)
• Stock Option Plan

California Salary range: 150,000 - 210,000