Tax Associate Jobs in Illinois
Tax Associate jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in public accounting, corporate tax, and financial services, with openings at every level from entry-level staff to senior associate. Chicago drives the bulk of hiring, with additional activity in Naperville and Schaumburg, where firms like Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and RSM U.S. maintain major Illinois offices. The most consistently sought specialties are federal and state income tax compliance, tax provision work under ASC 740, and multistate tax planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 192+ Tax Associate jobs
Overview
Responsibilities:
- This is a virtual, customer-facing role; you will be using our state of the art video communications software (Smartlook) to interact with customers.
- Help TurboTax customers who are working on their tax returns or have delegated their tax returns with:
- Tax advice
- Full Service return preparation and signature
- Product/software inquires
- Tax calculations
- Create high quality customer interactions and experiences that instill confidence using deep customer empathy, and your deep (extensive) knowledge and expertise in the field of tax preparation.
- Utilize and leverage government websites, professional resources, and team expertise to seek out and deliver the right answer to the customer using everyday language.
- Apply defined practices, procedures, and company policies to troubleshoot and resolve customer tax advice and preparation inquiries.
- Document customer interactions
- Work continuously toward meeting company KPI metrics and Big Bet Goals.
- Participate in pilot testing, projects, and experience validations, as needed.
- Must be willing and able to complete all required training and development as determined by the business including, but not limited to, compliance trainings, proficiency-based up-skilling, cross-training of other products or offerings, and professional development. Training requirements are subject to change based on business needs and the company reserves the right to introduce additional requirements at any time
Qualifications:
- 2 or more years of recent experience preparing federal and state individual 1040 tax returns for at least 30 clients/customers per season for compensation, using commercial tax preparation software.
- Must possess or be able to obtain any related State licenses, certificates, permits, or bonds.
- Must possess an active Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
- Working knowledge of Circular 230.
- Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Proficient with technology; solid knowledge of computer operations and software.
- Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Critical thinking, problem solving, research skills, and determination.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
- Must have (or be willing to obtain) a dedicated hardwired internet connection that meets Intuit Security criteria.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills (written & spoken) a plus
- Must reside in the United States.
Intuit provides a competitive compensation package with a strong pay for performance rewards approach. The expected base pay range for this position is
Bay Area California $22.30 - $28.49
Overview
Responsibilities:
- This is a virtual, customer-facing role; you will be using our state of the art video communications software (Smartlook) to interact with customers.
- Help TurboTax customers who are working on their tax returns or have delegated their tax returns with:
- Tax advice
- Full Service return preparation and signature
- Product/software inquires
- Tax calculations
- Create high quality customer interactions and experiences that instill confidence using deep customer empathy, and your deep (extensive) knowledge and expertise in the field of tax preparation.
- Utilize and leverage government websites, professional resources, and team expertise to seek out and deliver the right answer to the customer using everyday language.
- Apply defined practices, procedures, and company policies to troubleshoot and resolve customer tax advice and preparation inquiries.
- Document customer interactions
- Work continuously toward meeting company KPI metrics and Big Bet Goals.
- Participate in pilot testing, projects, and experience validations, as needed.
- Must be willing and able to complete all required training and development as determined by the business including, but not limited to, compliance trainings, proficiency-based up-skilling, cross-training of other products or offerings, and professional development. Training requirements are subject to change based on business needs and the company reserves the right to introduce additional requirements at any time
Qualifications:
- 2 or more years of recent experience preparing federal and state individual 1040 tax returns for at least 30 clients/customers per season for compensation, using commercial tax preparation software.
- Must possess or be able to obtain any related State licenses, certificates, permits, or bonds.
- Must possess an active Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
- Working knowledge of Circular 230.
- Must be willing and available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Proficient with technology; solid knowledge of computer operations and software.
- Strong customer service skills – ability to interact with customers through video and audio tools in a professional, friendly, and confident manner.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Critical thinking, problem solving, research skills, and determination.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
- Must have (or be willing to obtain) a dedicated hardwired internet connection that meets Intuit Security criteria.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills (written & spoken) a plus
- Must reside in the United States.
Intuit provides a competitive compensation package with a strong pay for performance rewards approach. The expected base pay range for this position is
Bay Area California $22.30 - $28.49
See All 192+ Tax Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tax Associate JobsTax Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tax Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- H&R Block181
- Intuit3
- CohnReznick1
- EisnerAmper1
- Grant Thornton1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tax associate jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required
- CPA license or active CPA exam candidacy in Illinois preferred or required
- One to three years of tax compliance or provision experience for associate roles
- Proficiency in tax software such as CCH Axcess, GoSystem, or Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE
- Strong knowledge of federal and Illinois state income tax regulations and filings
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for client and team interaction
Tax Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tax associate in Illinois?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field, and many prefer candidates who are pursuing or have earned a CPA license. In Illinois, CPA licensure is issued through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam along with meeting the state's education and experience hours. Candidates without a CPA often enter through staff or junior tax roles and sit for the exam while working.
How much do tax associates make in Illinois?
Tax associates in Illinois earn a median of about $54,480 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $33,030 for the lowest 10% to over $76,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire tax associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring tax associates in Illinois right now include H&R Block, Intuit, and CohnReznick, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of Big Four and regional accounting firms alongside large corporate headquarters in the Chicago area means consistent demand across both public accounting and in-house tax departments.
Which Illinois cities have the most tax associate jobs?
Chicago, Springfield, and Elgin have the most tax associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to Big Four offices, major regional firms, and the headquarters of large corporations that maintain in-house tax teams, while suburban hubs like Naperville and Schaumburg attract roles tied to mid-market companies and financial services firms based along the I-88 corridor.
Are there remote tax associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields, since tax compliance and advisory work is largely desk-based and document-driven. About 80% of tax associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how readily firms have adapted since the shift to distributed work. Federal and state income tax compliance roles and tax provision work tend to be the most amenable to fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a tax associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a staff tax or tax intern role at a Chicago-area public accounting firm, where structured new-associate programs at firms like BDO, RSM U.S., and Grant Thornton bring in recent graduates and train them on compliance fundamentals. Candidates who have passed at least one section of the CPA exam stand out, as do those with internship experience in accounting. Adjacent starting points include accounts payable, bookkeeping, or general accounting roles at Illinois companies, which provide the financial foundation firms look for when promoting into tax.
Where can I find and apply to tax associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to tax associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across public accounting firms, corporate tax departments, and financial services employers. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.
See All 192+ Tax Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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