Tax Manager – Real Estate
About Walter Shuffain:
Established in 1994, WS Advisors is a Boston-based advisory and accounting firm dedicated to delivering thoughtful tax, financial, and business guidance that helps clients make confident, forward-looking decisions. We pride ourselves on a collaborative culture rooted in accountability, respect, responsiveness, and continuous learning, where diverse perspectives are welcomed and individual growth is encouraged.
Recognized for excellence, innovation, and a supportive work environment, WS Advisors has been named an IPA Top 200 Firm, an IPA Fastest Growing Firm, an IPA Best of the Best Firm, and one of Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For. We invest in our people and foster meaningful careers built on teamwork, integrity, and shared success.
About Ascend:
Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Tax Manager with deep expertise in real estate to oversee tax compliance, planning, and advisory services for real estate clients, including partnerships, funds, and high-net-worth investors. This role requires a strong understanding of the real estate industry’s economic and operating structures, as well as the ability to interpret complex partnership agreements and apply advanced tax regulations. The ideal candidate will serve as a strategic advisor to clients on structuring, transactions, and ongoing tax matters specific to real estate investments and operations.
Essential Functions
- Manage multiple client engagements within the real estate sector, including partnerships, real estate funds, and closely held entities
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, including owners, investors, and senior stakeholders, providing proactive tax planning and advisory services
- Review and oversee preparation of complex partnership tax returns, ensuring accuracy in allocations, reporting, and compliance
- Interpret and apply partnership operating agreements, including capital account provisions, distribution waterfalls, income/loss allocations, and liability allocation provisions
- Advise clients on real estate-specific tax matters, including structuring acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions
- Apply technical expertise in key tax areas such as:
- IRC Sections 704(b), 704(c), and 752 allocations
- Section 163(j) business interest limitations
- Section 199A qualified business income deductions
- UBTI reporting considerations
- Oversee tax treatment of real estate transactions, including 1031 exchanges, disguised sales, and debt-financed distributions
- Analyze and apply depreciation methods, including MACRS and ADS, and advise on cost recovery strategies
- Provide guidance on partner basis, at-risk limitations, and Section 754 step-up elections and adjustments
- Advise on state and local tax considerations, including Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) regimes
- Identify and resolve complex tax issues through research, technical analysis, and consultation
- Act as a strategic business advisor to clients, providing insights on growth, structuring, and exit strategies within the real estate lifecycle
- Develop and mentor staff, manage project budgets and workflow, and contribute to training initiatives
- Participate in business development efforts, including expanding relationships within the real estate client base
Education, Skills, and Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Tax, or a related field
- Minimum of 6 years of public accounting experience, with a strong focus on real estate clients
- Demonstrated expertise in real estate partnership taxation and underlying industry economic models
- Extensive experience reviewing partnership tax returns and interpreting complex operating agreements
- Strong technical knowledge of:
- IRC Sections 704(b), 704(c), 752, and 754
- 1031 exchanges, disguised sale rules, and partner basis/at-risk rules
- Section 163(j), Section 199A, and UBTI reporting
- MACRS and ADS depreciation methodologies
- Debt-financed distributions and interest tracing rules
- State Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) matters
- Proven ability to lead and manage teams while handling multiple client engagements
- Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax concepts to clients and stakeholders
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and provide strategic recommendations on client tax matters
The annual base salary range for this role is $145,000-175,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of Walter Shuffain’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.
