How do I become a tax manager?

To become a tax manager, a person needs to have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or other similar degree and a CPA certification. In addition to the degree and certification requirements, most companies look for tax managers that have at least five years of experience in an accounting firm.

How much does a tax manager make a year?

A tax manager makes a salary of around $75,000 in a year. This salary can range from a low of $69,000 in a year to a high-end salary of over $100,000 in a year. The amount that a tax manager makes in a year varies significantly due to a variety of factors that influence specific pay for an individual. These factors include education and experience, company size and industry, as well as location.

What degree do you need to be a tax director?

To become a tax director, a person typically needs to have a master's degree in accounting, finance, or other similar degree and a CPA certification. In addition to the degree and certification requirements, most companies look for tax directors that have at least five to ten years of experience in an accounting firm.

Where does a tax manager work?

A tax manager can work either in a specific company, for an accounting firm, or work for themselves. Tax managers are primarily responsible for accurately preparing and filing state and federal tax documents and can do so in a variety of work environments.

What is a tax manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY)

A tax manager oversees a company's tax compliance. They work with tax laws, regulations, and policies to meet the companyâ€™s tax obligations while minimizing liabilities. A tax manager may also provide guidance and advice on tax planning strategies and assist with audits and disputes with tax authorities. They must stay up-to-date on changes in tax laws and regulations and communicate with other departments. Successful tax managers have analytical skills, attention to detail, and management skills.

What general advice would you give to a Tax Manager?

Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY)

Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Arlington

Choosing a career in accounting today is particularly appealing due to the strong demand for skilled professionals in the field. Accounting stands out for its stability, offering a secure and reliable career path. The diversity within the profession, including areas like tax accounting and financial analysis, provides individuals with flexibility to align their work with their specific interests. With a global relevance, accountants are in high demand internationally. The current technological advancements have streamlined routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles. Pursuing well-regarded certifications, such as the CPA designation, ensures continuous learning and opens avenues for career advancement. Additionally, the flexibility for remote work and potential for entrepreneurial ventures make accounting a highly sought-after and promising choice in response to the prevalent demand for skilled professionals.

ScoreTax ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $96,100

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.5

Growth Rate 17%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 9.95%

Black or African American 7.49%

Hispanic or Latino 14.32%

Unknown 4.10%

White 63.80%

Gender

female 41.50%

male 58.50%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress Level

9.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.9

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Tax Manager?

Pros

Competitive salary
Strong job stability and demand
Opportunities for advancement and specialization
Offers exposure to different industries and business models
Potential for flexible work arrangements

Cons

Long hours during peak tax season
Can be repetitive or monotonous work
Limited creativity in job tasks
May require extensive travel or relocation
Limited work-life balance during peak season

Key steps to become a tax manager

Explore tax manager education requirements

Most common tax manager degrees

Bachelor's

68.0 %

Master's

22.1 %

Associate

4.4 %

Start to develop specific tax manager skills

Skills	Percentages
CPA	15.74%
Client Relationships	6.57%
Tax Planning	5.63%
Tax Compliance	4.60%
Taxation	4.28%

Complete relevant tax manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tax managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tax manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tax manager resumes.

Research tax manager duties and responsibilities

Test and learned to analyze accounting processes managing SOX testing including accumulating documentation and reviewing other testers work.
Perform tax provision review to ensure compliance with ASC 740 and ASC 740-10 for public trade companies and private companies.
Pull data and work with Hyperion.
Used Lexis Nexis, RIA, and CCH to research multiple tax projects.

Prepare your tax manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tax manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tax manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Tax Manager Resume templates

Build a professional Tax Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Tax Manager resume.

Apply for tax manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a tax manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do tax managers rate their job?