Tax Strategist

Company: BAIRD
Location: Fort Wayne
Posted on: February 16, 2020

Job Description:

Tax StrategistIndianapolis, INDepartment -Wealth Solutions GroupAutoReqId -8002BR-IN-IndianapolisChallenge your thinking and build an amazing career with the best people in the financial services industry! Bairds Financial Advisors provide advice, strategies, and solutions to high-net worth individuals and families across the United States, serving as true partners. True wealth management goes beyond managing investments. At Baird, we understand it begins with learning all we can about what our clients want for themselves and their families. We work closely with them to prioritize their goals, utilizing Bairds resources and expertise to create a tailored plan to ensure success as theyve defined it. Our 1,700+ private wealth associates serve clients coast-to-coast from 100 + locations in over 30 states. We have been recognized on Barrons Top Wealth Management Firms for 10 consecutive years and hold over $137 billion in client assets. Check out thisvideoto learn more about our Private Wealth Management business.As a Tax Strategist you will: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 clients 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 clients 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:
    • Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Masters 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 (e.g., 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.More about Baird:Baird is an employee owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with more than 160 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has over $285 billion in client assets and more than 4,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients.Baird has built an environment of trust, respect and teamwork, where associates are our greatest asset. As stated in our Associate Promise, we are passionate about how we achieve great outcomes together for our clients, communities and each other. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 16 on theFortune Magazines 100 Best Companies to Work For, our sixteenth consecutive year on the list. To learn more about Bairds culture,click here.LI-JM1
      • RWBAIRD.COMBaird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.If you require an accommodation in order to view or apply to open positions or for any other part of the application or employment process, please call866-837-3914or emailtalentacquisition@rwbaird.com.

Keywords: BAIRD, Fort Wayne , Tax Strategist, Accounting, Auditing , Fort Wayne, Indiana