Tax Professional Jobs in Illinois
Tax Professional jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in corporate tax, public accounting, and financial services sectors at levels from entry-level staff accountant to senior tax director. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the Midwest, with Naperville and Schaumburg adding significant suburban volume through corporate headquarters and regional offices. Major employers with a lasting Illinois presence include Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and Discover Financial Services, and the most sought-after specialties are federal and state income tax compliance, transfer pricing, and tax technology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview
We are a small, established accounting and tax practice in Northbrook seeking an experienced Tax & Accounting Professional to join our team full-time.
This is a long-term position with excellent opportunity for growth and increased responsibility. The owner has more than 40 years of experience in the accounting and tax profession and maintains an active, established practice.
We are looking for someone who can become an important part of our firm and, over time, assume greater responsibility for client relationships and day-to-day accounting and tax matters. The owner plans to remain actively involved in the practice but is looking for a capable professional who can take ownership of more of the work and help the firm continue to grow and modernize.
Duties
- Prepare individual and business income tax returns
- Provide bookkeeping and accounting services for small-business clients
- Work with QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online
- Prepare tax returns using UltraTax
- Assist with IRS and state tax notices
- Assist with tax resolution matters
- Communicate directly with clients regarding accounting and tax matters
- Research and resolve accounting and tax questions
- Maintain accurate and organized client records
- Gradually assume greater responsibility for client relationships and assignments based on experience and demonstrated ability
- Help identify and implement technology that can improve the firm's efficiency and client service
Skills
- Prior accounting and tax preparation experience
EA or CPA designation is a plus. Strong practical tax and accounting experience will also be considered.
- Experience with QuickBooks Desktop and/or QuickBooks Online
- Experience with UltraTax is highly desirable
- Strong computer skills are essential
- Comfortable learning new software and technology
- Interest in helping the firm make greater use of cloud-based applications, AI tools, and other emerging technologies
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to communicate professionally and comfortably with clients
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assignments
- Dependable, responsible, and interested in a long-term position
We are a small firm and believe that good employees should be treated with respect. We understand that employees have responsibilities outside of work and strive to provide reasonable flexibility when unexpected family or personal needs arise.
At the same time, we are looking for someone dependable who wants to become an important part of our practice for many years.
For the right individual, this is an opportunity to join an established practice, work directly with clients, expand your professional responsibilities, and play an important role in helping the firm move forward as technology continues to change the accounting and tax profession.
If you are an experienced accounting or tax professional who enjoys working with clients, embraces technology, and is looking for a long-term professional home with a small firm, we would like to hear from you.
Pay: $38.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
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Find Tax Professional JobsTax Professional Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tax Professional Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- H&R Block207
- Intuit6
- Jackson Hewitt1
- Robert H Lewin1R
- JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tax professional jobs across Illinois.
- Active CPA license issued or recognized by the Illinois Board of Examiners
- Bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, taxation, or finance
- Proficiency in tax software such as CCH Axcess, Thomson Reuters UltraTax, or similar platforms
- Experience preparing or reviewing federal and Illinois state corporate or individual returns
- Strong knowledge of ASC 740 income tax accounting for corporate roles
- Ability to manage multiple client engagements or filing deadlines simultaneously
Tax Professional Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tax professional in Illinois?
The most common path is earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and then passing the CPA exam, which qualifies you for licensure through the Illinois Board of Examiners under the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Candidates must complete the required credit hours in accounting and business courses before sitting for the exam. Many Illinois employers also accept enrolled agent credentials issued by the IRS as a qualifying alternative for tax-focused roles that do not require a full CPA.
How much do tax professionals make in Illinois?
Tax professionals 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 professionals in Illinois?
Employers hiring tax professionals in Illinois right now include H&R Block, Intuit, and Jackson Hewitt, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, large regional accounting firms, and financial services companies makes it one of the more consistent states for sustained tax professional hiring year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most tax professional jobs?
Berwyn, Chicago, and Joliet have the most tax professional openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the bulk of demand through its dense concentration of corporate headquarters, Big Four and regional accounting firms, and financial institutions, while Naperville and Schaumburg contribute strongly because major companies like Discover Financial Services and numerous Fortune 500 back-office operations are based in the western suburbs.
Are there remote tax professional jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Tax work is largely document-driven and software-based, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 0% of tax professional openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how widely firms have adopted flexible models since the shift in professional services. Roles focused on federal and state income tax compliance and tax research tend to have the highest share of fully remote options.
How can I get hired as a tax professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a staff tax associate or tax intern role at one of the large public accounting firms with Illinois offices, including Grant Thornton, RSM, or BDO, which run structured new-graduate programs each fall recruiting season. Candidates who have passed at least one section of the CPA exam through the Illinois Board of Examiners stand out in entry-level applicant pools. Those coming from adjacent roles like bookkeeping, accounts payable, or financial analysis can also move laterally into tax staff positions at corporate employers in the Chicago metro area.
Where can I find and apply to tax professional jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to tax professional jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate. Search the listings, find roles that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 217+ Tax Professional Jobs in Illinois
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