Sr Tax Strategist

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Under limited supervision and on own initiative, provide tax planning expertise and support for Baird Financial Advisors, Wealth Planners, Wealth Strategists and clients.

Duties include:

review of client tax returns, use of firm standard tools to quantify the tax impact of planning strategies, discussion of advanced tax savings strategies, and presentation of analysis results. Also serve as a technical expert on a wide variety of tax planning issues while recognizing your 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.

As a Senior Tax Strategist You Will

• Provide support in all aspects of the tax planning process to Financial Advisors (FAs) in Baird branches. This will involve identifying tax planning opportunities and creating analyses using either self-created or standard firm tools, and will often include participation in data gathering and/or analysis presentation meetings or calls.
• Be able to answer both administrative and technical questions from FAs and their support staff regarding advisor use of Baird’s tax planning software, Holistiplan.
• Assist the Cost Basis Reporting team in gathering information and identifying client accounts subject to unrelated business income tax (UBIT). Review calculations performed by outside accounting firm and address any related questions asked by Financial Advisors.
• 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 advanced tax and financial planning questions. For more unique 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 focus on federal individual tax issues, but will also involve trust, corporate, pass-through and tax-exempt entities, as well as 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.
• Analyze and interpret new tax legislation to assess its potential impact on Baird clients. Develop and present clear, accessible written articles and presentations that explain key provisions in straightforward, client-friendly language.
• Be able to interpret various tax planning documents, including tax returns and related documents, account statements, executive compensation grant information, 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, estate and financial planning topics.
• Work with the rest of the Wealth 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.

• Excellent work/life balance.
• Ability to work with a variety of teams and leaders,…