Principal - Tax

Tax Principal (US – Chicago, IL)

Reporting to the Managing Principal, the Principal will:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, fostering long‑term relationships.
• Understand client needs and translate them into actionable strategies and solutions.
• Manage client expectations, resolve escalations, and ensure consistent value delivery.
• Conduct executive‑level presentations and facilitate strategic discussions.
• Develop and execute account strategies to increase revenue and client impact.
• Oversee engagement profitability, resource utilization, and overall client portfolio health.

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field (required); master’s degree preferred.
• Ten (10) plus years of experience in professional services, consulting, or a related field (required).
• CPA certification (required for accounting principals); other relevant industry certifications preferred.
• Proven track record of leading client engagements and business development.
• Recognized expertise in working with private equity‑backed portfolio companies.
• Deep understanding of professional services delivery models and client lifecycle.
• Experience in managing engagement budgets, expenses, and performance management.
• Ability to articulate complex financial data and review significant findings.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate, influence, negotiate, and coach employees and managers.
• Familiarity with industry trends, regulatory environments, and competitive landscapes.
• Exceptional leadership and team‑management capabilities.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking.
• Proven capability to engage senior stakeholders and facilitate consensus effectively.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges presented by individual clients.
• High integrity and moral character; committed to following quality control standards.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the midpoint of the salary range for this role is $322,491. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary; the final offer may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

• Servant Leader – hyper‑focused on engaging employees, fostering their development, and building a positive culture.
• Solutions Focused – see opportunities in every business problem and can develop, articulate, and implement solutions.
• Collaboration – relationship builder across all levels of the organization and across all business units.
• Instils Trust – acts with integrity, follows through on commitments, and is perceived as credible.
• Impact & Influence Thinking – gains support for ideas, proposals, and solutions, and gets others to act to advance initiatives or objectives.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) policy activated on the first day; includes personal time, mental/physical health care, vacation, sick leave, etc.
• Paid holidays throughout the year with time off granted at the last week of the calendar year when project work permits.
• Comprehensive wellness program with reward points and gift cards.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and accident/disability insurance options.
• HSA employer contribution.
• Nine (9) paid holidays annually.
• Robust paid parental bonding leave program covering birth, adoption, and foster children.
• 401(k) with employer contributions.
• CPA bonus with four paid exam days and four paid study days.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Generous employee referral bonus program.
• Client referral bonus program.
• Pet insurance.
• FORCE – a community volunteer program allowing up to four hours of paid volunteer time annually.

Sikich is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services.

Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms.

"Sikich" is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms "our company", "we" and "us" and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.