Tax accountants play a critical role in keeping organizations compliant and financially sound—whether they’re helping companies navigate corporate tax obligations or in public accounting firms supporting clients with complex financial reporting and regulatory requirements.Given the importance of their work, tax accountants are in high demand. Research for the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half shows how that demand together with the persistent shortage of accountants are driving compensation higher across the profession:Salaries for public accounting roles in tax, audit and assurance have risen 3.7% year over year, outpacing the 2.1% average increase across finance and accounting overall.Tax professionals outside of public accounting are also seeing compensation climb, with salary levels increasing 2.2%, on average, amid growing regulatory complexity.
Employers are competing for tax professionals who can deliver accurate reporting, provide compliance expertise and offer advanced skills in areas such as financial reporting, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and data analytics. Both experienced tax accountants and those just entering the field are seeing job opportunities in public and corporate accounting, with many employers prepared to pay salary premiums to talent with in-demand skill sets.
What tax accountants do
The day-to-day responsibilities of a tax accountant depend on their experience level. For entry-level tax accountant roles, common duties include:Assisting with tax preparationResearching tax laws and regulationsMaintaining tax records and documentationSupporting compliance during tax auditsManaging the tax compliance calendarResponding to notices from tax authoritiesMost employers expect candidates for tax accountant roles to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Strong organizational, research and communication skills are essential for most roles, as are attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and ethics.If you’re a new accounting graduate, relevant internships or part-time work experience in tax accounting can help you stand out to hiring managers.Learn about the best job skills to put on a resume.
What’s the difference between tax accountants in public vs. corporate accounting?
While both public and corporate tax accountants work with tax laws and compliance, their focus and daily responsibilities differ.Tax professionals in public accounting usually work for CPA firms, providing services to both businesses and individuals. Their work may include preparing returns, advising on tax planning and helping clients navigate compliance issues across different industries. The pace of work in a CPA firm can be fast and deadline-driven, especially during tax season. However, working for a public accounting firm offers exposure to a wide range of industries and business challenges.Corporate tax accountants work inside one organization, focusing on tax strategy and compliance for the business. Their responsibilities may include managing tax filings, handling audit work and developing strategies to minimize the company’s tax burden. Corporate roles often provide more stability and the chance to gain deep knowledge of one industry.Both career paths offer strong earning potential and advancement opportunities—but the choice often comes down to whether you want variety and client-facing work (public accounting) or depth and internal strategy (corporate accounting).
What it takes to move into senior tax accountant roles
Climbing the career ladder in tax accounting requires more than technical skills. To move into senior positions, you’ll typically need several years of hands-on experience—at least five for a manager-level role. Employers also tend to look for candidates who bring:Public accounting experience—this background is often preferred for many tax leadership roles in corporate accountingLeadership ability—demonstrated skill in managing teams, mentoring staff or overseeing complex projectsAdvanced credentials—such as a CPA, MBA or chartered global management accountant (CGMA) designationProfessional certifications can be a differentiator for your career at any stage. See our guide to finance and accounting certifications for more details on which ones employers value most.
What type of tax accountant salary could you earn?
Access the Salary GuideStarting compensation for the tax accounting roles listed in Robert Half’s 2026 Salary Guide can vary significantly based on a candidate’s skills, experience and certifications, as well as factors like industry, company size and revenue, and demand for the role.The tax accountant salaries shown below are at the “mid” level, as categorized in our guide. That means the candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.Corporate accountingTax director: $172,000Tax manager: $129,000Senior tax accountant: $102,500Tax accountant: $74,750Public accountingTax services director: $180,500Senior tax services manager: $130,500Tax services manager: $121,500Senior tax services associate: $95,250Tax services associate: $71,000To find out what tax accountant salaries are typical in your area, use our Salary Calculator. To see other salary levels for these tax accountant roles in corporate and public accounting, consult our Salary Guide.
Skills employers look for when hiring tax accountants
Today’s tax accountants are expected to bring a mix of technical expertise, analytical abilities and communication skills to their roles. For example, many employers seek candidates who are proficient in Excel and familiar with leading ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle NetSuite or Workday, along with tax preparation software and workflow automation platforms.Just as important is the ability to work with data—using analysis to spot risks, improve processes and guide better decisions. Tax analytics, in particular, has become a fast-evolving specialty, giving organizations sharper insights into compliance and performance.Beyond technical abilities, communication and organizational skills remain essential to career success. Tax accountants often need to explain complex issues to stakeholders outside of finance, manage competing deadlines (and expectations), and build trust across teams.As tax departments—and finance functions, generally—continue to modernize their technology and embrace digital transformation, automation and AI, tax professionals who are tech-savvy and adaptable will be well positioned to advance their careers, stay competitive in the job market and take on higher-value work.
Ready to advance on the tax accountant career path?
Search tax accountant jobsWhether you’re aiming for your first role in tax accounting or preparing to move into a senior-level position, there is no shortage of opportunity in this dynamic field. Search for tax accountant jobs on the Robert Half website today—and use our 2026 Salary Guide to benchmark your compensation expectations for the roles you are targeting.
