Tax Accountant Jobs in Chicago, IL: Launch or Advance Your Public Accounting Career
Are you a CPA or accounting professional seeking tax accountant jobs in Chicago, IL? Or perhaps you’re ready to step into a Tax Manager role within a dynamic public accounting firm? You’re not alone: Chicago remains one of the nation’s most active markets for finance and accounting talent, especially in public accounting.
At TGC Staffing, we connect skilled professionals like you with top-tier firms across the Chicagoland area. Whether you’re early in your career or leading complex tax engagements, we’re here to help you find the right opportunity at the right firm—with transparency, speed, and personalized support.
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Job Openings:
1: Senior Tax Accountant
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $90,000 – $125,000
Date Posted: N/A
TGC Staffing is searching for talented Senior Tax Accountant candidates who can handle complex and challenging tasks with ease. We have openings in Chicago, IL.
2: Tax Accountant
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $70,000 – $90,000
Looking for a Tax Accountant role in Chicago, IL? Explore the job openings and its details and apply.
3: Tax Manager
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $120,000 – $150,000
If you have good CPA and want to take your career to a new height, we have an opening for you. Explore the job and apply now.
Tax Manager & Tax Accountant Jobs in Chicago Detailed Job Descriptions
For Tax Accountants, Employers Look For:
Education/Experience:
- Required: Bachelors in Accounting or relevant field
- 3 to 5+ years in public accounting
- CPA Preferred but not required. Going through testing is nice as well!
Core Responsibilities:
- Prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, and other reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards
- Manage tax compliance for large and small organizations, with varying tax law, while ensuring filings are completed accurately and timely
- Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, and other tax requirements
- Manage client services to complete, required statutory filings for income, and other taxes in multiple jurisdictions and tax consulting
- Be willing to think strategically regarding partnering with clients to ensure that their strategy is aligned with the firm’s guidance
- Develop, implement, modify, and document record keeping and accounting systems
- Stay current on tax, business, and accounting developments
Requirements
Knowledge and Skills:
- Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, business and tax software, including GoFileRoom, Ultra Tax, Fixed Assets, and other related products.
- Must have 3 to 5+ years in Business Tax preparation.
For Tax Managers, the expectations go beyond preparation:
- Must have demonstrable tax manager experience with diverse client industries.
- CPA or EA a must plus 5 or more years’ experience.
- Must have extensive experience in preparing and reviewing business (1120, 1065) tax returns.
- Solid understanding of GAAP and strong accounting skills.
- Strong communication, written and leadership skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and multitask.
- Prepare and Review business tax returns (1120 & 1065)
- Manage client engagements and work with staff to deliver year-round tax and accounting services.
- Maintain active communication with clients to manage expectations, ensure satisfaction and meet deadlines.
- Provide tax research and work with partners on client technical matters.
- Develop, train, motivate, and mentor seniors and staff.
- Assist in workflow management of your team.
For Senior Tax Accountant, the candidate must have:
Education/Experience:
- Required: Bachelors in Accounting or relevant field
- 5+ years in public accounting
- CPA Preferred but not required. Going through testing is nice as well!
Core Responsibilities:
- Prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, and other reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards
- Manage tax compliance for large and small organizations, with varying tax law, while ensuring filings are completed accurately and timely
- Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, and other tax requirements
- Manage client services to complete, required statutory filings for income, and other taxes in multiple jurisdictions and tax consulting
- Be willing to think strategically regarding partnering with clients to ensure that their strategy is aligned with the firm’s guidance
- Develop, implement, modify, and document record keeping and accounting systems
- Stay current on tax, business, and accounting developments
Requirements
Knowledge and Skills:
- Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, business and tax software, including GoFileRoom, Ultra Tax, Fixed Assets, and other related products.
- Must have 5+ years in Business Tax preparation.
Why Chicago Is a Top Destination for Tax Professionals in 2025
Chicago isn’t just America’s third-largest city—it’s a thriving hub for accounting and finance. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the Chicago metropolitan area employs over 32,000 accountants and auditors, making it one of the top five U.S. markets for accounting jobs. And the demand is growing.
Firms of all sizes—from Big 4 giants like Deloitte and PwC to respected mid-tier and boutique practices—are actively hiring Tax Accountants and Tax Managers with public accounting experience.
2025 Salary Insights for Tax Roles in Chicago
- 1: Senior Tax Accountant:Salary: $90,000 – $125,000
- 2: Tax Accountant: Salary: $70,000 – $90,000
- 3: Tax Manager: Salary: $120,000 – $150,000
Source: Salary.com – Accounting Salary Data, 2025
What most staffing blogs miss: While national averages are helpful, Chicago’s tax market is tiered. Firms in The Loop, West Loop, and River North often offer higher compensation, hybrid flexibility, and clear career paths—especially for CPAs with public accounting backgrounds.
In-Demand Public Accounting Roles We’re Recruiting For
1. Tax Accountant (Entry to Mid-Level)
- Ideal for CPAs or CPA candidates with 1–4 years of public accounting experience
- Key responsibilities: Prepare federal and state tax returns, conduct basic research, support senior staff during busy season
- Most roles offer hybrid schedules (2–3 days in office)
2. Senior Tax Accountant
- Requires 3–6 years of public accounting tax experience
- Expectations: Handle complex pass-through entities (S-corps, partnerships), manage client communications, assist with tax planning
- Strong proficiency in UltraTax, ProSystem fx, or CCH OneSource is preferred
3. Tax Manager
- Leadership-focused role for licensed CPAs with 6+ years in public accounting
- Oversee multiple client engagements, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with partners on strategy
- Many firms offer bonus structures, equity tracks, and flexible post-season schedules
Ready to be considered? Submit your resume through our streamlined process: Apply Now for Tax Roles in Chicago
What Chicago Accounting Firms Really Want in 2025
Based on direct feedback from our public accounting clients, here’s what they prioritize:
Active CPA license (or near completion—most firms require licensure within 6–12 months of hire) Public accounting experience—especially during tax season Technical skills: Multi-state taxation, ASC 740 (for corporate roles), and familiarity with cloud-based tax software Soft skills: Clear communication, responsiveness, and client empathy
Competitor Blind Spot: Many staffing sites list generic “accounting experience.” But Chicago public accounting firms specifically seek candidates who’ve survived—and thrived—during busy seasons. That resilience matters.
How TGC Staffing Gives You an Edge
Unlike job boards or automated platforms, TGC Staffing offers a human-first approach:
- Confidential process: Your current employer won’t be contacted without your consent
- Real-time market intelligence: We’ll share firm culture insights, salary ranges, and growth potential before you interview
- Post-offer support: From negotiation to onboarding, we’ve got your back
Explore all current opportunities on our Careers page or let us proactively match you.
FAQs: Tax Jobs in Chicago
Take the Next Step in Your Chicago Tax Career
The best Tax Accountant and Tax Manager roles in Chicago often aren’t posted publicly. They’re filled through trusted staffing partners like TGC Staffing—before they hit job boards.
Don’t wait for tax season to ramp up. Firms are hiring now to build resilient teams for 2026.
Submit your resume today and get access to exclusive, pre-vetted opportunities with Chicago’s top public accounting firms.
Apply Now for Tax Accountant & Tax Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL
About TGC Staffing
TGC Staffing is a specialized staffing firm focused on accounting, finance, and tax talent across the U.S. With deep roots in public accounting recruitment, we match professionals with firms that value their expertise, ethics, and ambition.
Learn more about our services or explore other opportunities:
Karuna Ramanuj
Karuna Ramanuj is the CEO and Founder of TGC Staffing. More than that, she is a mentor, shaping the lives of millions of people with purposeful opportunities while helping companies seeking agile, reliable, and high-quality Staffing Services across industries.
She not only runs a dynamic staffing and talent solutions firm, but her decade of hands-on experience in recruitment strategy and workforce planning has built TGC into a trusted staffing partner. Her expertise lies in understanding organizational goals, requirements, and translating them into precise hiring strategies. She spends most of her time advocating for empowering diverse talents and creating inclusive workplace ecosystems.
When she is not working, she spends her time writing incisive and informative articles that benefit employees and employers.