Tax Manager Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Tax Manager Resume examples

Ever wondered why tax professionals are some of the few people who get excited when tax laws change? For Tax Managers, those regulatory shifts aren't headaches—they're opportunities. Tax management has evolved far beyond compliance work into a strategic business function where professionals don't just crunch numbers but actively shape financial strategy. In today's business landscape, with remote work expanding the talent pool (43% of tax departments now operate with hybrid or fully remote teams according to a 2023 Thomson Reuters survey), Tax Managers serve as crucial translators between complex regulations and business objectives.

The field is experiencing a fascinating transformation as technology automates routine tasks while elevating the advisory role of tax professionals. Data analytics, AI-assisted research tools, and real-time reporting requirements are reshaping how Tax Managers approach their work. What hasn't changed? The need for sharp analytical minds who can spot both risks and savings opportunities. Looking ahead, Tax Managers who combine technical expertise with business acumen and technology fluency will find themselves increasingly valuable as organizations navigate global tax complexity and digital transformation.

Junior Tax Manager Resume Example

Samantha Chen

Chicago, IL • (312) 555-8734 • samantha.chen@email.com • linkedin.com/in/samanthachen

Recent accounting graduate with 1+ year of specialized tax experience. Strong foundation in tax preparation, compliance, and research with a focus on corporate returns. Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments and brings fresh analytical perspectives to tax challenges. Looking to grow into a tax management role while building expertise in corporate taxation.

EXPERIENCE

Junior Tax Specialist – Weinberg & Associates, Chicago, IL
June 2023 – Present

  • Prepare and review federal and state income tax returns for 30+ small to mid-sized businesses using CCH Axcess Tax software
  • Support senior staff during busy season by researching tax laws and precedents that affected 12 client cases
  • Identified $42,300 in potential tax deductions through thorough review of client documentation
  • Help maintain ongoing communication with clients regarding document requests and tax filing timelines

Tax Intern – Grant Thornton LLP, Chicago, IL
January 2023 – May 2023

  • Assisted in the preparation of 25+ individual and corporate tax returns under supervision
  • Performed basic tax research using CCH IntelliConnect and RIA Checkpoint
  • Organized and maintained digital client files while ensuring compliance with firm’s data security protocols
  • Participated in weekly training sessions covering tax law updates and technical skills development

Accounting Intern – BlueStream Financial, Chicago, IL
May 2022 – August 2022

  • Supported accounting team with month-end close processes and account reconciliations
  • Compiled financial reports and assisted with data entry in QuickBooks
  • Helped organize documentation for upcoming tax season (my first exposure to tax work!)

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Taxation – DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2023 | GPA: 3.8/4.0

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – University of Illinois at Chicago
Graduated: December 2021 | GPA: 3.6/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Advanced Federal Taxation, Corporate Tax, Partnership Tax, Tax Research & Procedure

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Illinois (in progress, 2 sections passed)
Enrolled Agent (EA) – Expected completion December 2023

SKILLS

  • Tax Software: CCH Axcess Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte
  • Research Tools: RIA Checkpoint, CCH IntelliConnect
  • Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Xero, SAP (basic)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, PivotTables)
  • Tax compliance and reporting
  • Corporate taxation fundamentals
  • Basic federal tax law knowledge
  • Client communication
  • Time management and organization

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Student Member
  • Illinois CPA Society – Associate Member

Mid-level Tax Manager Resume Example

MELISSA T. JOHNSON

Chicago, IL | (773) 555-4219 | m.tjohnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissatjohnson

Tax professional with 5+ years of progressive experience specializing in corporate taxation and compliance. Known for streamlining tax processes that saved previous employer $87K in penalties. Experienced in multi-state tax planning, partnership taxation and leading small teams through complex tax seasons. Eager to leverage my technical expertise and leadership skills in a collaborative environment.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Tax Manager
Grant Thornton LLP, Chicago, IL
January 2022 – Present

  • Manage a portfolio of 18 corporate clients with annual revenues between $50M-$250M, ensuring timely filing and compliance across multiple jurisdictions
  • Lead a team of 4 tax associates, providing mentorship and technical guidance through complex tax matters
  • Reduced tax preparation time by 27% by implementing standardized documentation protocols and workflow improvements
  • Successfully represented 3 clients during IRS examinations, resulting in no material adjustments
  • Developed comprehensive tax planning strategies that saved clients an average of $132K in tax liabilities annually

Tax Manager
Deloitte Tax LLP, Chicago, IL
June 2020 – December 2021

  • Managed tax compliance and consulting services for 12 mid-market clients, primarily in manufacturing and retail sectors
  • Supervised 2 senior tax associates and 3 staff accountants during peak tax season
  • Implemented a new digital documentation system that improved review efficiency by 31%
  • Collaborated with international tax team to resolve complex cross-border tax issues for multinational clients

Tax Senior Associate
PwC, Chicago, IL
August 2018 – May 2020

  • Prepared federal and state income tax returns for partnerships, S-corporations and C-corporations
  • Conducted quarterly tax provision calculations and analyses for publicly traded companies
  • Assisted with M&A due diligence for 4 transactions ranging from $25M to $75M
  • Created client-facing tax planning presentations and led discussions with controller-level contacts

EDUCATION

Master of Taxation
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2018 | GPA: 3.8/4.0

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduated: May 2017 | GPA: 3.7/4.0

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Illinois, 2018
Enrolled Agent (EA), 2019

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Corporate Tax: Multi-state tax compliance, ASC 740 tax provisions, M&A tax due diligence
  • Software: CCH Axcess, ProSystems fx, OneSource, Lacerte, UltraTax CS, Excel (advanced)
  • Specializations: Partnership taxation, consolidated returns, tax credits & incentives
  • Compliance: GAAP, IRC regulations, FIN 48, SOX 404 controls

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Illinois CPA Society – Tax Committee Member
Chicago Tax Club

Senior / Experienced Tax Manager Resume Example

MICHAEL J. HARRISON

Boston, MA • (617) 555-9284 • mharrison@emailpro.net • linkedin.com/in/michaeljharrison

Strategic Tax Manager with 11+ years of progressive experience in corporate taxation, compliance, and advisory services. Track record of reducing tax liabilities while ensuring full regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Skilled at translating complex tax concepts for non-tax stakeholders and driving process improvements that enhance accuracy and efficiency.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BRIGHTWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES, Boston, MA
Senior Tax Manager (April 2019 – Present)

  • Lead a team of 7 tax professionals responsible for quarterly and annual tax compliance for a $2.3B financial services organization operating in 23 states
  • Cut tax preparation time by 37% by implementing new workflow automation tools and standardized documentation procedures
  • Identified and secured $1.76M in tax credits and incentives through comprehensive review of state and federal opportunities
  • Redesigned tax provision process, reducing material weaknesses and cutting review time from 12 days to 4
  • Serve as primary tax advisor for C-suite executives on M&A activity, including due diligence for 3 acquisitions totaling $378M

DELOITTE, Boston, MA
Tax Manager (July 2016 – March 2019)

  • Managed tax compliance and consulting engagements for 12 corporate clients with revenues ranging from $50M to $1.2B
  • Specialized in financial services taxation, focusing on banking regulations and investment management structures
  • Developed and delivered quarterly training on emerging tax legislation to a department of 35+ professionals
  • Mentored 5 junior staff members, with 3 receiving promotions within 18 months
  • Recognized with “Excellence in Client Service” award (2018) for resolving a complex IRS audit that saved client $4.2M

RSM US LLP, Chicago, IL
Senior Tax Associate (August 2013 – June 2016)

  • Prepared and reviewed federal and state income tax returns for mid-market corporations and partnerships
  • Created tax provision calculations and workpapers for quarterly and annual financial reporting
  • Researched complex tax issues including nexus determinations and apportionment methodologies
  • Developed expertise in ASC 740 (formerly FAS 109) accounting for income taxes
  • Streamlined tax workpaper documentation, reducing review notes by 47%

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Master of Science in Taxation
Northeastern University, Boston, MA – 2015

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign – 2012

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Massachusetts, 2014
  • Enrolled Agent (EA), 2016

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Tax Software: CCH Axcess, Corptax, OneSource, UltraTax CS, ProSystem fx
  • Financial Software: SAP, Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks Enterprise
  • Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and macros)
  • Data visualization tools (PowerBI, Tableau)
  • Research platforms: Bloomberg BNA, Checkpoint, LexisNexis

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Corporate Tax Planning & Compliance
  • Federal & Multi-state Taxation
  • Tax Provision (ASC 740)
  • M&A Tax Due Diligence
  • International Tax Reporting (FBAR, FATCA)
  • Tax Technology & Process Improvement
  • IRS Audit Defense & Controversy
  • Tax Team Leadership & Development

How to Write a Tax Manager Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Tax Manager position starts with a resume that showcases your technical expertise, leadership abilities, and industry knowledge. With tax departments facing increasing regulatory complexity and technology changes, employers need managers who can navigate these challenges while leading teams effectively. Your resume is your first chance to prove you're that person—before you even walk through the door for an interview.

Resume Structure and Format

When it comes to format, tax professionals should generally stick with clean, professional layouts. After reviewing hundreds of Tax Manager resumes, I've noticed the most successful ones follow these guidelines:

  • Length: 2 pages maximum (1 page if you have less than 7 years of experience)
  • Font: Standard professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Garaday at 10-12pt
  • Margins: 0.75" to 1" on all sides
  • File format: PDF (preserves formatting across different devices)
  • Section order: Summary → Experience → Education/Certifications → Skills

Keep your formatting consistent throughout the document. Nothing screams "unprofessional" like mixing three different bullet styles or randomly changing fonts halfway through!

Pro Tip: Many accounting and tax firms use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter resumes. Complex tables, headers/footers, and text boxes often cause these systems to misread your information. Stick with a straightforward format that both humans and computers can easily process.

Profile/Summary Section

Your professional summary should be 3-5 lines that immediately position you as a qualified Tax Manager. This isn't the place for vague statements—get specific about your specialties and value proposition.

For example, rather than writing "Experienced tax professional with strong skills," try something like: "Tax Manager with 8+ years specializing in corporate tax planning for manufacturing clients, driving $1.2M in tax savings through R&D credit implementation while managing a team of 6 tax specialists."

Professional Experience

This section carries the most weight. For each role, include:

  • Company name, location, and your dates of employment
  • Your exact title
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting accomplishments (not just responsibilities)
  • Quantifiable achievements whenever possible

When writing bullet points, follow this formula: Action verb + What you did + Result/Impact. For example:

  • Weak: "Responsible for tax compliance work"
  • Strong: "Led quarterly and annual compliance process for 12 entities across 8 states, reducing filing penalties by 97% within first year"

Education and Certifications

For Tax Managers, certifications often carry as much weight as formal education. List your degrees chronologically (most recent first), followed by relevant certifications:

  • CPA license (with state and date)
  • Master of Taxation or similar advanced degrees
  • MBA (if applicable)
  • Other certifications (EA, JD, etc.)

Don't include graduation dates if they're more than 15 years old, and there's rarely a need to list undergraduate GPA unless you're a recent graduate.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Tax departments often use ATS software to screen resumes before human eyes ever see them. Include these frequently-screened keywords if they apply to you:

  • Technical skills: FAS 109, ASC 740, transfer pricing, state nexus
  • Software proficiency: OneSource, Corptax, CCH Axcess, ProSystems fx
  • Compliance types: Federal, SALT, international, partnership, C-Corp
  • Management terms: staff development, process improvement, tax planning

Industry-specific Terms

Demonstrate your expertise by naturally incorporating relevant terminology. A Tax Manager should be familiar with concepts like:

  • Federal/state tax provisions
  • Effective tax rate analysis
  • M-1/M-3 adjustments
  • Tax controversy and audit defense
  • IRC sections relevant to your specialty

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic descriptions that could apply to any finance role
  • Focusing solely on compliance without mentioning planning/strategy
  • Failing to demonstrate people management or leadership skills
  • Listing every tax form you've ever completed (focus on big-picture achievements)
  • Omitting technology skills (tax departments are increasingly tech-focused)

Before/After Example

Before: "Managed tax compliance and reviewed returns."

After: "Oversaw $4.2B corporate tax provision and compliance process while managing 5 tax specialists, implementing new tax automation software that cut preparation time by 36% and identified $873K in previously unclaimed credits."

Remember—your resume should tell the story of how you've solved tax problems, saved money, improved processes, and developed teams. That's what separates a tax preparer from a true Tax Manager.

Soft skills for your Tax Manager resume

  • Cross-functional collaboration – ability to work with finance, accounting, and legal teams when handling complex tax issues
  • Client relationship management, particularly explaining technical tax concepts to non-specialists
  • Deadline-driven problem solving (especially during tax season when managing multiple competing priorities)
  • Team leadership and staff development – mentoring junior tax professionals while managing up to leadership
  • Adaptability to changing tax regulations and interpretation of new legislative requirements
  • Project coordination across multiple tax jurisdictions and reporting cycles

Hard skills for your Tax Manager resume

  • Multi-state tax compliance (corporate and pass-through entities)
  • Advanced Excel modeling (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, tax-specific formulas)
  • CCH Axcess Tax and ProSystem fx software suite proficiency
  • R&D tax credit calculation and documentation
  • IRC Section 382 limitation analysis
  • Transfer pricing documentation (OECD guidelines)
  • Tax provision calculations (ASC 740/FAS 109)
  • Bloomberg BNA Fixed Assets software
  • IRS examination defense and audit management