The Senior Manager serves as a technical and client-service leader responsible for managing complex transaction tax engagements, developing team members, expanding client relationships, and supporting the growth of the M&A practice. This role leads buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements, transaction structuring projects, tax due diligence, and specialized consulting projects while working closely with partners, directors, Transaction Advisory professionals, attorneys, private equity groups, corporate development teams, and strategic buyers.
The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise, strong project management skills, and the ability to lead multiple fast-paced engagements simultaneously while maintaining exceptional client service and quality standards. The role also plays a critical part in mentoring and developing M&A professionals and supporting the long-term growth of the practice.
Position Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage complex M&A tax engagements, including:
- Buy-side tax due diligence
- Sell-side tax consulting
- Transaction structuring
- Post-transaction integration planning
- Tax attribute analysis
- Section 382 studies
- Section 280G analysis
- Section 1202 consulting
- Executive compensation and transaction-related tax consulting
- Review tax due diligence reports, technical memoranda, and client deliverables for quality, accuracy, and completeness.
Identify tax risks, exposures, opportunities, and planning strategies related to transactions. - Advise clients and internal stakeholders on the tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, joint ventures, and recapitalizations.
- Research and analyze complex federal and state tax issues affecting transaction structures.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout all phases of the transaction lifecycle.
- Lead multiple engagements simultaneously while managing deadlines, budgets, and resource allocation.
- Ensure projects are delivered efficiently and meet Aprio quality and risk management standards.
- Monitor engagement economics, realization, WIP, billing, and profitability.
- Collaborate with Specialty Tax, Transaction Advisory, International Tax, SALT, Legal, and other internal service teams.
- Manage client communications and act as the primary day-to-day relationship lead for key accounts.
- Support practice growth through business development efforts and relationship expansion.
- Identify opportunities to cross-sell Aprio services across existing client relationships.
- Assist in developing proposals, presentations, thought leadership, and marketing initiatives.
- Participate in networking activities, industry events, and referral-source development.
- Support Directors and Partners in pursuing strategic growth opportunities within the M&A marketplace.
- Supervise, coach, and mentor Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and offshore resources.
- Provide ongoing feedback, career development guidance, and performance coaching.
- Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retention efforts.
- Develop technical training materials and facilitate internal training sessions.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and client service excellence.
- Ensure compliance with Aprio policies, engagement standards, and risk management requirements.
- Escalate significant technical, independence, or client acceptance issues when appropriate.
- Support quality control reviews and technical consultations.
- Maintain awareness of emerging tax law developments and transaction trends.
- Help drive process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives across the M&A practice.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or related field.
- CPA, JD, LLM (Tax), or equivalent professional credential required.
- 8–12+ years of progressive tax experience, including significant M&A transaction tax experience.
- Experience within a national or large regional public accounting firm preferred.
- Extensive knowledge of:
- Corporate taxation
- Partnership taxation
- Tax due diligence
- Transaction structuring
- Section 382
- Section 280G
- Section 1202
- Tax attribute analysis
- Related federal tax concepts
- Proven ability to lead complex client engagements and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong project management, client relationship management, and business development skills.
- Advanced analytical, research, communication, and presentation abilities.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and tax research platforms.
A successful Senior Manager will:
- Maintain high levels of client satisfaction and engagement quality.
- Deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Develop and mentor future leaders within the practice.
- Drive profitable growth through client expansion and business development.
- Support strong realization, WIP management, and engagement economics.
- Serve as a recognized technical resource within the M&A Specialty Tax practice.
- Contribute to a scalable, repeatable delivery model that supports continued growth of the M&A service line.