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Tax manager vs tax accountant

The differences between tax managers and tax accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a tax manager, becoming a tax accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a tax manager has an average salary of $96,100, which is higher than the $62,142 average annual salary of a tax accountant.

The top three skills for a tax manager include CPA, client relationships and tax planning. The most important skills for a tax accountant are CPA, tax audits, and income tax returns.

Tax manager vs tax accountant overview

Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Yearly salary$96,100$62,142
Hourly rate$46.20$29.88
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs79,20457,919
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4644
Years of experience84

What does a tax manager do?

A Tax Manager is responsible for managing tax reporting and compliance within an organization. They provide innovative tax planning and prepare state and federal tax returns for companies.

What does a tax accountant do?

A tax accountant is an individual who works with clients to produce tax return documents that follow tax laws and regulations while keeping them updated on their return information. Tax accountants must determine tax strategies for their clients that may minimize or eliminate tax payments while arranging audits with taxation authorities. They prepare tax documents for different clients, including private companies, non-profit organizations, and private individuals. Tax accountants are also required to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting and should understand business concepts.

Tax manager vs tax accountant salary

Tax managers and tax accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Average salary$96,100$62,142
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $131,000Between $45,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyMetaPacific Investment Management Company LLC
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between tax manager and tax accountant education

There are a few differences between a tax manager and a tax accountant in terms of educational background:

Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Tax manager vs tax accountant demographics

Here are the differences between tax managers' and tax accountants' demographics:

Tax ManagerTax Accountant
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 58.5% Female, 41.5%Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%7%

Differences between tax manager and tax accountant duties and responsibilities

Tax manager example responsibilities.

  • Test and learned to analyze accounting processes managing SOX testing including accumulating documentation and reviewing other testers work.
  • Perform tax provision review to ensure compliance with ASC 740 and ASC 740-10 for public trade companies and private companies.
  • Pull data and work with Hyperion.
  • Used Lexis Nexis, RIA, and CCH to research multiple tax projects.
  • Prepare and review ASC 740 tax balances for the company s fifteen largest foreign subsidiaries.
  • Calculate, prepare and submit quarterly estimate payments without need for review from third party CPA.
  • Show more

Tax accountant example responsibilities.

  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage client data and prepare necessary financial statements.
  • Manage and prepare sales and use tax account reconciliations and property tax liability accounts and prepare corresponding journal entries.
  • Prepared/Review financial statements according to GAAP and propose adjusting entries for clients.
  • Prepare tax returns for corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals.
  • Work with various accounting departments, with duties such as account reconciliations, customer service, and administrative/clerical positions.
  • SAP, ONESOURCE, YESWIN, and BSAEfiling
  • Show more

Tax manager vs tax accountant skills

Common tax manager skills
  • CPA, 16%
  • Client Relationships, 7%
  • Tax Planning, 6%
  • Tax Compliance, 5%
  • Taxation, 4%
  • Tax Research, 4%
Common tax accountant skills
  • CPA, 9%
  • Tax Audits, 4%
  • Income Tax Returns, 4%
  • Tax Research, 4%
  • Reconciliations, 4%
  • Financial Statements, 4%

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