We are seeking a Tax Associate to support our growing Corporate Tax Department. This role offers the opportunity to engage in all facets of corporate tax compliance and planning, including federal, state, international, and sales/use tax responsibilities. As part of a collaborative team, you will contribute to Crain’s continued success while deepening your technical expertise and embracing opportunities to innovate — including integrating AI tools to modernize routine workflows.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare federal, state, and international corporate income tax returns
- Calculate and file quarterly estimated tax payments (federal, state, local)
- Prepare and file sales tax, VAT, and personal property tax returns
- Assist in the preparation of the annual tax provision (ASC 740), including calculations and documentation
- Conduct tax research on credits, deductions, and regulatory compliance
- Support responses to tax audits and notices from federal, state, and local authorities
- Help manage multi-state and international tax compliance
- Contribute to tax planning strategies that mitigate liabilities and align with business goals
- Partner with finance, legal, and accounting teams to resolve cross-functional tax issues
- Assist with documentation for external audits and other compliance reporting
- Engage in internal projects, process improvements, and AI-driven automation initiatives
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or a related field
- At least 2 years of corporate tax, public accounting, or equivalent experience
- Solid understanding of federal and state corporate tax regulations; familiarity with international tax concepts is a plus
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the MS Office suite
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
- Self-starter with the drive to work independently and contribute proactively
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule from our Detroit, MI offices
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with CCH Axcess Tax or similar software
- Working knowledge of ASC 740 tax provision standards
- Exposure to international tax areas such as transfer pricing and foreign tax credits
- CPA certification or active progress toward CPA is strongly preferred
Why Join Crain Communications?
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Inclusive, supportive, and collaborative team culture
- Health, dental, vision insurance
- Generous paid time off, holidays, and flexible hybrid work arrangements
- Opportunities to work on innovative tax technology projects
This is more than a job — it's an opportunity to evolve your career at the intersection of tax and technology. If you're looking to contribute meaningfully, grow professionally, and work with a team that values your perspective, we want to hear from you.
This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The estimated base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $85,000.
The final salary offering will take into account a wide range of specific and relevant factors, including experience, accomplishments and location. The salary range provided should not be considered as a salary limit or cap. In addition to base salary, Crain also offers competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions.
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About Crain Communications:
Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain’s brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain’s regional business brands. For more than a century, our dedication to deep sector expertise and journalistic integrity has enabled us to provide trusted insights across all our platforms, empowering today’s business leaders to make industry-shaping decisions. To learn more about Crain Communications, visit crain.com.
Environmental Demands
Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change.
- An “in-office” role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.
- A “remote” role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
- A “hybrid” role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the manager’s approval, subject to change.
- Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.
Many positions will also include work done in “the field.” Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves. Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work.
Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required. Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of many Crain jobs and are subject to change.
Physical activities will include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. For most positions, it is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/maintain documents within filing systems. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading. The typical physical requirements are light work—exerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Some positions will have additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50lbs of force to move and/or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials as the role requires.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and meet the environmental and physical demands of the role.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or related field
- At least 2 years of corporate tax, public accounting, or equivalent experience
- Solid understanding of federal and state corporate tax regulations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the MS Office suite
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
- Self-starter with ability to work independently and contribute proactively
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule from Detroit, MI offices
- Experience with CCH Axcess Tax or similar software
- Working knowledge of ASC 740 tax provision standards
- Exposure to international tax areas such as transfer pricing and foreign tax credits
- CPA certification or active progress toward CPA
What We Do
Across 24 brands and 10 offices worldwide, Crain employees share a passion and purpose to deliver exceptional news products. Crain understands that our employees are our most valuable resource. That’s why we are committed to investing in top talent and providing the tools and resources they need to excel, not only in their projects, but in their career. We promote collaboration, innovation and a sense of fun all while working to make a difference in ways that are rewarding both personally and professionally. Our brands>> 360Dx Ad Age Automobilwoche Automotive News Automotive News Canada Automotive News Europe Crain Currency Crain's Chicago Business Crain's Cleveland Business Crain's Detroit Business Crain's Grand Rapids Business Crain's New York Business Creativity GenomeWeb Green Market Report Modern Healthcare Pensions & Investments Plastics News Precision Oncology News Rubber News Staffing Industry Analysts Sustainable Plastics Tire Business Urethanes Technology International
