Walter Shuffain is seeking a skilled and motivated Tax Manager- Individual (HNW), Trust & Estate to lead and manage complex estate, trust, and high-net-worth individual tax engagements while supporting the continued growth of our Estates & Trusts practice. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals and families, providing comprehensive tax compliance and strategic planning services across fiduciary, estate, gift, and individual matters. Responsibilities include overseeing complex filings (including fiduciary, estate, and gift tax returns), advising on wealth preservation and transfer strategies, reviewing trust and estate structures, building long-term client relationships, mentoring staff, and contributing to practice development initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in estate, trust, and individual taxation, along with sound judgment, leadership ability, and excellent communication skills to deliver exceptional client service while driving team and firm success.

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:

• Oversee multiple client engagements focused on high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and estates; provide technical planning and advisory on fiduciary, estate, and gift tax matters, including trust structures and family partnerships
• Develop and maintain excellent client relationships through superior customer service
• Serve as the primary client contact on all related matters and directly interact with client owners and senior team members
• Recognize and resolve potential or existing problems with appropriate research and consulting on tax services performed
• Consulting, working with, and servicing client base to make recommendations on business improvement and process improvement and serve as a business advisor to clients
• Thorough knowledge and exposure to issues which include but are not limited to mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship, funding requirements, growth objectives and exit strategies
• Assist in the development and execution of department’s various training programs
• Set and monitor budgets, assist with staff scheduling and workload assignments
• Prepare client billings timely and direct and assist with collection efforts
• Establish and conduct formal training seminars for staff members
• Think proactively and have involvement in practice development opportunities that cross sell to existing clients as well as new clients
• Participate in recruitment events, employee performance management, training support, and business development opportunities
• Building effective long-term relationships with our clients, understanding their unique needs to provide a tailored service to our complex clients

Education, Skills and Experience:

• BS or MS in Accounting or Tax
• 6 years of experience within a Public Accounting firm as a Tax Manager 
• Exposure to estate, trust, and high-net-worth individual tax engagements
• Ability to lead and manage a team of tax professionals
• Ability to meet challenging client requirements, provide excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, analytical and research capabilities
• Strong knowledge of Tax laws and able to communicate to shareholders
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions and recommendations in client related matters pertaining to tax returns

The annual base salary range for this role is $145,000-175,000. 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.

Tax Manager – Real Estate

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.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Tax Manager with deep expertise in real estate to oversee tax compliance, planning, and advisory services for real estate clients, including partnerships, funds, and high-net-worth investors. This role requires a strong understanding of the real estate industry’s economic and operating structures, as well as the ability to interpret complex partnership agreements and apply advanced tax regulations. The ideal candidate will serve as a strategic advisor to clients on structuring, transactions, and ongoing tax matters specific to real estate investments and operations.

Essential Functions

• Manage multiple client engagements within the real estate sector, including partnerships, real estate funds, and closely held entities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, including owners, investors, and senior stakeholders, providing proactive tax planning and advisory services
• Review and oversee preparation of complex partnership tax returns, ensuring accuracy in allocations, reporting, and compliance
• Interpret and apply partnership operating agreements, including capital account provisions, distribution waterfalls, income/loss allocations, and liability allocation provisions
• Advise clients on real estate-specific tax matters, including structuring acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions
• Apply technical expertise in key tax areas such as:
• IRC Sections 704(b), 704(c), and 752 allocations
• Section 163(j) business interest limitations
• Section 199A qualified business income deductions
• UBTI reporting considerations
• Oversee tax treatment of real estate transactions, including 1031 exchanges, disguised sales, and debt-financed distributions
• Analyze and apply depreciation methods, including MACRS and ADS, and advise on cost recovery strategies
• Provide guidance on partner basis, at-risk limitations, and Section 754 step-up elections and adjustments
• Advise on state and local tax considerations, including Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) regimes
• Identify and resolve complex tax issues through research, technical analysis, and consultation
• Act as a strategic business advisor to clients, providing insights on growth, structuring, and exit strategies within the real estate lifecycle
• Develop and mentor staff, manage project budgets and workflow, and contribute to training initiatives
• Participate in business development efforts, including expanding relationships within the real estate client base

Education, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Tax, or a related field
• Minimum of 6 years of public accounting experience, with a strong focus on real estate clients
• Demonstrated expertise in real estate partnership taxation and underlying industry economic models
• Extensive experience reviewing partnership tax returns and interpreting complex operating agreements
• Strong technical knowledge of:
• IRC Sections 704(b), 704(c), 752, and 754
• 1031 exchanges, disguised sale rules, and partner basis/at-risk rules
• Section 163(j), Section 199A, and UBTI reporting
• MACRS and ADS depreciation methodologies
• Debt-financed distributions and interest tracing rules
• State Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) matters
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams while handling multiple client engagements
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax concepts to clients and stakeholders
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and provide strategic recommendations on client tax matters

The annual base salary range for this role is $145,000-175,000. 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.

Walter Shuffain is seeking a skilled and motivated Tax Manager to lead and manage multiple client engagements while fostering the growth and development of our tax team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to private businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and families, providing strategic tax planning, technical expertise, and practical business guidance. You will oversee complex engagements, build lasting client relationships, mentor staff, and contribute to practice development initiatives. The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge, leadership ability, and excellent communication skills to deliver exceptional client service while driving team and firm success.

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:

• Oversee multiple client engagements; Technical planning and advising of clients that include private entities (including C-Corp, S-Corp, Trusts, and Partnerships) as well as high-profile individuals/families
• Develop and maintain excellent client relationships through superior customer service
• Serve as the primary client contact on all related matters and directly interact with client owners and senior team members
• Recognize and resolve potential or existing problems with appropriate research and consulting on tax services performed
• Consulting, working with, and servicing client base to make recommendations on business improvement and process improvement and serve as a business advisor to clients
• Thorough knowledge and exposure to issues which include but are not limited to mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship, funding requirements, growth objectives and exit strategies
• Assist in the development and execution of department’s various training programs
• Set and monitor budgets, assist with staff scheduling and workload assignments
• Prepare client billings timely and direct and assist with collection efforts
• Establish and conduct formal training seminars for staff members
• Think proactively and have involvement in practice development opportunities that cross sell to existing clients as well as new clients
• Participate in recruitment events, employee performance management, training support, and business development opportunities
• Building effective long-term relationships with our clients, understanding their unique needs to provide a tailored service to our complex clients

Education, Skills and Experience:

• BS or MS in Accounting or Tax
• 6 years of experience within a Public Accounting firm as a Tax Manager
• Ability to lead and manage a team of tax professionals
• Ability to meet challenging client requirements, provide excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, analytical and research capabilities
• Strong knowledge of Tax laws and able to communicate to shareholders
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions and recommendations in client related matters pertaining to tax returns

The annual base salary range for this role is $145,000-175,000. 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.

Walter Shuffain is looking to bring on a Tax Supervisor. Supervisors at Walter Shuffain are the heart of our team. They are responsible for performing both audit and tax engagements with little supervision. They also direct and review the work of staff accountants. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in overseeing the execution of audit and tax engagements, managing staff, and ensuring the highest level of service quality.

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:

• Play a key role in managing client engagements, leading teams, and ensuring the successful execution of audit and tax services.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the various phases of audit and tax engagements and assume responsibility for the end work product.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate junior staff members, providing guidance and support to enhance their professional growth.
• Work directly with clients throughout the engagement, including participation in client meetings, and foster client relationships throughout the year.
• Communicate effectively with clients to understand their needs and deliver exceptional service.
• Maintain the highest technical and professional standards.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and Oversee multiple client engagements across industries, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.
• Provide performance feedback and assist in staff evaluations.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Education, Skills and Experience:

• 5+ years of auditing and tax experience.
• Bachelors in Accounting, CPA Certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and tax regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be a team player as well as be able to supervise junior staff.