Small & Mid-sized Business (SMB) Tax Manager

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.

As of May 2026, Jackson Thornton has joined the Ascend network. 

Jackson Thornton, an accounting and consulting firm, was established in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 3, 1919. From our beginning, the firm has operated with personal integrity and professional excellence while evolving and expanding to provide more of what businesses need- whether strategic planning, business consulting, technology consulting or specialized industry services. Jackson Thornton has grown to serve clients in six locations throughout Alabama with a team of more than 200 professionals and is looking to welcome more driven, client-focused individuals to the firm. 

We are seeking a Tax Manager with public accounting experience to join our team. Tax Managers own assigned engagements from planning through Principal review, often serving as the client service contact, and provide detailed review of complex tax returns, tax authority notices, and research engagements. You will apply professional judgment to work supported by automation and AI-enabled tools, surface planning and advisory opportunities throughout the year, and participate in billing your engagements. 

You will also develop, train, and motivate team members — including those working remotely or on shared-service teams — and may serve as a Career Advisor. This role fits someone who wants to own client relationships end to end, build a specialized area of tax expertise, and work with a collaborative team that invests in your growth and community involvement. 

This position will report into Jackson Thornton's Birmingham office with hybrid flexibility. 

 Key Responsibilities 

• Manage assigned engagements from planning through Principal review.
• Review complex individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and estate returns, tax authority notices, and research engagements.
• Serve as the primary client contact and business advisor for assigned clients.
• Identify tax planning and advisory opportunities throughout the year, not just at deadlines.
• Delegate with engagement economics and team development in mind, including work prepared by shared-service or outsourced teams.
• Develop and coach team members across in-person, hybrid, and remote settings; provide timely feedback and evaluation input.
• Monitor engagement progress, staffing, out-of-scope work, and billing input.
• Use AI-enabled research and review tools appropriately, retaining ownership of every conclusion delivered to clients.
• Represent clients at audits, document tax advice, and monitor team adherence to quality assurance and ethical standards.
• Support business development through referral sources, networking, proposals, and expanded services. 

Qualifications 

• B.A./B.S. degree in Accounting or a related field.
• CPA license required; EA or JD/LL.M. also considered.
• Five or more years of public accounting experience with a focus on tax.
• Small and mid-sized business (SMB) tax return experience preferred. 
• Strong federal and state tax compliance knowledge, with experience reviewing complex returns.
• Working knowledge of tax research, preparation, and AI-enabled review tools.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex engagements while developing team members.
• Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, including with remote teams. 

Jackson Thornton offers a comprehensive, competitive benefit package to all of our professionals, which includes health, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, long term and short term disability plans, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, paid time off plan, and a 401(k) plan with a match.

Submit your information in the application section directly below! This will include:

• Basic contact information
• Resume/CV and optional cover letter upload
• Work eligibility and compensation
• Voluntary demographic & self-ID questions

For further questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Olivia Riley, Sr. Recruiter at [email protected]. 

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.