WS Advisors is seeking a driven and growth-oriented Senior Tax Manager to take on a leadership role across client engagements, firm initiatives, and practice growth. This is a high-visibility position designed for someone who is ready to step into a partner-track trajectory — someone who doesn’t just manage work, but actively helps shape the direction of the practice. You will serve as a trusted advisor to private businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and families, while also contributing meaningfully to business development and firm culture.
About Walter Shuffain:
Established in 1994, WS Advisors is a Boston-based advisory and accounting firm dedicated to delivering thoughtful tax, financial, and business guidance that helps clients make confident, forward-looking decisions. We pride ourselves on a collaborative culture rooted in accountability, respect, responsiveness, and continuous learning, where diverse perspectives are welcomed and individual growth is encouraged.
Recognized for excellence, innovation, and a supportive work environment, WS Advisors has been named an IPA Top 200 Firm, an IPA Fastest Growing Firm, an IPA Best of the Best Firm, and one of Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For. We invest in our people and foster meaningful careers built on teamwork, integrity, and shared success.
About Ascend:
Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.
Essential Functions
- Lead and oversee multiple complex client engagements across entity types including C-Corps, S-Corps, Partnerships, Trusts, and high-net-worth individuals and families
- Serve as the primary client relationship owner; build deep, long-term client connections through exceptional service and proactive communication
- Provide sophisticated tax planning and advisory services with a forward-looking, strategic lens
- Identify and resolve technical issues through thorough research, sound judgment, and appropriate consultation
- Act as a business advisor to clients — offering guidance on growth objectives, M&A considerations, exit planning, funding structures, and entrepreneurial challenges
- Drive business development — identify cross-sell and new business opportunities within the existing client base and through external networking; develop and maintain a personal pipeline of prospects
- Represent the firm at industry events, networking functions, and community initiatives with the goal of expanding WS Advisors’ visibility and relationships
- Mentor, develop, and inspire a team of tax professionals; provide coaching, feedback, and stretch opportunities that build bench strength
- Lead and facilitate internal training programs and technical development sessions for staff
- Manage engagement economics including budgets, billing, and collections
- Partner with firm leadership on strategic priorities, hiring, and team development
- Contribute to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous growth
Education, Skills, and Experience
- BS or MS in Accounting or Tax; CPA required
- 8+ years of public accounting experience, including at least 2 years operating at the Manager level
- Proven ability to manage and develop a team of tax professionals
- Strong technical foundation across a broad range of entity types and individual tax matters
- Demonstrated interest in and aptitude for business development — whether through client expansion, referral relationships, or external networking
- Excellent communication skills across all levels, including confidence presenting to and advising business owners and executives
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions with minimal supervision
- Partner-track ambition and orientation toward long-term firm ownership
The annual base salary range for this role is $170,000-$220,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of Walter Shuffain’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.
Skills Required
- BS or MS in Accounting or Tax
- CPA certification
- 8+ years of public accounting experience
- At least 2 years operating at the Manager level
- Experience managing and developing a team of tax professionals
- Strong technical foundation across multiple entity types and individual tax matters
- Business development aptitude and experience through client expansion, referrals, or networking
- Excellent communication and presentation skills for advising business owners and executives
- Ability to exercise independent judgment with minimal supervision
- Partner-track ambition and long-term firm ownership orientation
What We Do
Ascend empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a large CPA firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, best-of-breed technology, a catalytic leadership system, shared back-office services, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges and reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, the company attained revenues sufficient to qualify it as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operation.
