The Opportunity

Tax Manager
My client is a well known regional firm – with several offices across Southern Ontario, serving successful owner-managed businesses in a variety of industries, professions and agricultural enterprises, with a strong audit base.

A very competitive compensation and benefits package is on offer for the right candidate, as well as flexible work hours (yes, work-life balance IS possible!) in a modern and friendly work environment.

You will be a key player in the client service team, working closely with engagement Partners and their clients on a wide variety of interesting projects across their network of offices.

From ensuring the firm is technically up to date on tax issues through internal training and briefings, to devising complex re-organizations for clients, you will be the local ‘go-to’ person  on ‘all things tax’.

But you will not be alone.

One of the tax partners in an affiliated office will be your coach and mentor while you settle into this wide-reaching role which, if all goes to plan, will develop into the role of Tax Partner for you in time.

In this position your tax knowledge and technical ability will always trump personality and communication skills, but if you have both, then you will have a distinct advantage!

There will be opportunities to contribute to seminars, attend networking functions and represent the firm at numerous events, so if you have a flair for developing new relationships with key referral sources or are able to bring in new business, your road to partnership may well be fast-tracked.

If you have an ability to look at a client’s situation and say ‘Why don’t we consider doing….’ and add value to the relationship, that’s something else that my client would truly appreciate. Inter-generational issues, succession planning, trusts and various other interesting tax scenarios are regular matters that will challenge you in this enterprising role, taking into account your clients’ various different business and personal goals and objectives.

You will be a creative thinker when it comes to taxation, and your personality will be something that draws clients to you. You’ll probably be at either a mid-sized firm right now, or one of the national firms, in their tax department, and be surrounded by bright people, but not in a position to really make a difference.

You might feel suffocated by the procedures and internal politics. Maybe you’re ready for a change of scenery where the promise of partnership actually means something and is a real, achievable, goal that you can work towards.

Maybe you’ve been promised a discussion about partnership but have frequently been told ‘tomorrow’ or are waiting for ‘dead man’s shoes’, then we should be talking.

If these scenarios sound familiar, then this is the career-making move you should look at. Where this role can take you is limited only by your own ability, work ethic and aspirations.

There are many new and exciting initiatives happening at this firm, including a very recently constructed office in one of its growing markets, the hiring of the firm's first dedicated Director of Marketing, and the ongoing complete overhaul of an interactive exciting firm-wide web presence.

So, here’s what I am ideally looking for:

• CA or other recognized professional designation
• Minimum 3 years post in-depth tax course (Parts 1 and 2) or M.A. Tax spent working exclusively in the tax field
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good research and report writing ability
• Energetic and enthusiastic individual who is a driven self-starter

However, if you have no formal qualifications but a proven track-record in tax, then we would want to talk with you too! What’s on offer?

• Superb working environment
• Strong team of young, enterprising professionals
• Mentoring from a well respected and very talented tax partner
• Client-centered firm
• Very competitive compensation package
• Work-Life balance
• Generous benefits/vacation package
• Partnership opportunity

To move forward, please send your resume to me, Steve McIntyre-Smith at smcintyre-smith@cogeco.ca or call me at 905-842-2284 to discuss the next steps.