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Tax Strategist

Employer
Baird
Location
Milwaukee
Salary
Competitive

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Under limited supervision and on own initiative, provide tax planning expertise and support for Baird Financial Advisors, Regional Financial Planners and clients. Duties include: reviewing client tax returns, use firm standard tools to quantify the tax impact of planning strategies, and assisting in presenting plan results. Also serve as a technical expert on a wide variety of tax planning issues while recognizing our role is not to be the client's primary tax advisor. This person must be able to work as part of a team that is geographically diverse, meaning supporting team initiatives while often working in a remote capacity. Strong verbal and written communication skills required, including the ability to explain complicated tax issues in simple, easy-to-understand terms for non-tax professionals. Activities and duties require a high level of organization and expertise. Must be able to serve as an advocate for the value of financial, estate and tax planning to Financial Advisors.

Provide support in all aspects of the tax planning process to Financial Advisors (FAs) in Baird branches. This will primarily involve identifying tax planning opportunities and creating analyses using standard firm tools, but may often include participation in data gathering and/or analysis presentation meetings or calls.
May be asked by Financial Advisors to work with a client's external tax professional. Topics may include questions on 1099 reporting, Baird policies, etc.
Be able to answer intermediate-level to advanced tax and financial planning questions. For more advanced questions, be able to research solutions and/or work with other department members or professionals to find an answer.
Research tax matters and summarize conclusions and rationale. Research will primarily focus on federal individual tax issues, but may periodically involve trust, corporate, pass-through and tax-exempt entities, as well as some state tax issues. Occasionally the impact of foreign citizenship or residency may arise. All research and advice is provided with the understanding that Baird is not the primary tax advisor for the client. Clients are always directed back to their own tax or legal advisor for further input.
Be able to interpret various tax planning documents, including tax returns and related documents, account statements, annuity contracts, Social Security benefit estimates, life insurance policy documents, etc.
Help create and deliver written articles and presentations for clients as well as other professionals on tax and financial planning topics.
Work with the rest of the Financial & Estate Planning department to develop standard deliverables and service tiers to ensure consistent support across the firm.
Have an understanding of the products and services offered within a brokerage environment, and be able to work with associates of those departments. Recognize when to involve other specialists within the firm in a particular situation.
Work with Business Development Consultants to promote to Financial Advisors the importance of tax planning in attracting and retaining clients.

What makes this opportunity great:

Work/life balance.
Take an active role in defining and developing this position
Ability to work with a variety of teams and leaders, proving your ability to be flexible and highly adaptable.
Team of associates passionate about achieving great results for clients and give back to the communities where we live and work.

What we look for:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Master's Degree in Taxation
Minimum of five years tax planning experience required, with emphasis on individual and trust tax planning. Experience in the brokerage industry a plus.
Active CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license required. Basic brokerage licenses (Series 7, 66) required, or must have the ability to earn such certifications within one year. Additional licenses (eg, CFP??, PFS, CIMA??, CPWA??) a plus but not required.
Strong computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office products. In particular, experience creating client analyses in Excel and PowerPoint from scratch. Experience with MoneyGuide financial planning software a plus.
Willingness to travel. Position will require approximately 10-25% travel.
Ability to balance multiple projects and work under strict deadlines.
Ability to work independently on projects and effectively relate to others in order to accomplish work responsibilities and objectives.
Strong writing and presenting skills required, including experience speaking in front of groups of clients and other professionals (ranging from 25 to 200).
Ability to work as a member of the larger Financial & Estate Planning Department, collaborating with others as necessary.

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