In Los Angeles, a senior tax manager’s salary can vary depending on experience, qualifications, and the hiring company. However, the average salary for a senior tax manager in Los Angeles is typically between $120,000 and $160,000 per year.
Job Description
A senior tax manager is generally responsible for overseeing tax compliance and planning for corporations, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and high net worth individuals. Their primary duties include:
- Managing and reviewing tax returns, filings, and documents
- Researching tax laws and regulations
- Advising clients on tax minimization strategies
- Preparing documentation for audits and defending audits when necessary
- Staying up to date on changes in tax laws and policies
- Leading and training junior tax accountants and associates
- Developing new business by networking and managing client relationships
Senior tax managers are experienced professionals with 5-10 years of accounting and tax experience. They are strategic leaders who can see the big picture when advising clients but also have detailed knowledge of tax codes and regulations.
Qualifications
Here are some typical qualifications needed to become a senior tax manager in Los Angeles:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
- Certifications: CPA license required; other certifications like EA or CFA are a plus
- Experience: 5-10 years of experience in public accounting managing tax preparation and planning for individuals and businesses
- Tax expertise: Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local tax codes and regulations
- Leadership skills: Ability to manage teams and oversee multiple tax engagements simultaneously
- Communication skills: Strong verbal and written skills to communicate complex tax information clearly
- Analytical skills: Ability to analyze large amounts of financial data and provide strategic tax advice
- Software skills: Experience using tax prep software like UltraTax CS, Lacerte, ProSeries, etc.
Average Salary for Senior Tax Managers in Los Angeles
According to salary data from ZipRecruiter, PayScale, and other sources, here is the average salary range for senior tax managers in the Los Angeles metro area:
Salary Sites | Average Base Salary |
---|---|
ZipRecruiter | $123,557/year |
PayScale | $120,163/year |
Salary.com | $154,813/year |
Indeed | $160,000/year |
As the data shows, ZipRecruiter and PayScale have lower salary averages around $120,000 per year. Salary.com and Indeed have higher reported averages between $155,000-160,000 annually. Overall, the typical base salary range is $120,000-$160,000.
Factors that affect salary
There are several factors that can impact a senior tax manager’s base pay in the Los Angeles area:
- Years of experience in tax and accounting
- CPA license or other certifications
- Size of company and team managed
- Industry specialized in (real estate, healthcare, etc)
- Big 4 public accounting firm vs regional/local firm
- Specific tax expertise (international, SALT, trusts, etc)
- Cost of living and location within metro area
Senior managers with more years of experience, specialized expertise, CPA license, and background at top firms like Deloitte, PwC, EY or KPMG tend to earn salaries at the higher end of the range. The industry worked in also impacts pay, with lucrative fields like entertainment paying more.
Job Outlook for Senior Tax Managers
The job outlook for senior tax managers in Los Angeles is very strong. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, employment of accountants and auditors in California is projected to grow 7% between 2020-2030, faster than the 4% national average for all occupations. Businesses across all industries need tax expertise to comply with laws and minimize expenses.
In addition, a high percentage of accountants in California are expected to retire in the next 10 years. This will open up many senior-level roles. Professionals with advanced certifications and specialized knowledge in fields like international tax or estates and trusts may see the most opportunities.
Senior Tax Manager Job Listings in Los Angeles
To provide examples of current senior tax manager job openings and salaries in Los Angeles, here are some recent listings from ZipRecruiter and Indeed:
ZipRecruiter Job Listings
- KROST CPAs & Advisors – Senior Tax Manager. Salary: $130,000-$180,000. 5+ years experience required.
- KForce – Remote Senior Tax Manager for entertainment company. Salary: $135,000-$155,000.
- Accounting Principals – Senior Tax Manager for real estate investment firm. Salary: $140,000-$165,000.
- FRC Group – Remote Senior Tax Manager for startup. Salary: $150,000-$175,000.
Indeed Job Listings
- CohnReznick – Senior Tax Manager for LA office. Salary: $140,000-$160,000.
- BDO USA – International Senior Tax Manager. Salary: $150,000-$175,000.
- SPIRE Hospitality – Senior Tax Manager for hospitality company. Salary: $130,000-$160,000.
- Grant Thornton – Not for profit Senior Tax Manager. Salary: $120,000-$150,000.
These recent listings show salaries generally ranging from $120,000 to $175,000 for senior tax manager roles in various industries in LA, aligning with the salary ranges from aggregator sites.
Conclusion
In summary, a senior tax manager in Los Angeles earns an average base salary between $120,000 and $160,000 per year. With advanced qualifications and experience at a top firm or in a lucrative sector like entertainment, salaries can reach up to $175,000 annually. The many senior-level tax roles available and strong job outlook create excellent career advancement opportunities for experienced tax professionals in the LA region.