Nicole M. Szczepanek

Nicole M. Szczepanek

CPA, M.S.T.

Principal

+1 (312) 729 8163

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Nicole is a tax principal with Baker Tilly’s manufacturing and distribution practice and corporate tax vertical lead. She has more than 20 years of tax experience. Her experience with privately held, public and private equity-owned companies, including both domestic and global clients, distinguishes her as a well-rounded, highly skilled tax professional. She worked for a Big Four firm for 15 years prior to joining Baker Tilly.

Nicole leads Baker Tilly’s corporate tax vertical, focusing on the strategic growth of the U.S. firm’s corporate tax practice through collaboration across service lines. She also leads Baker Tilly’s employee retention credit (ERC) go-to-market strategy, as well as the ERC Portal solution.

  • Specializes in U.S. tax accounting (ASC 740), acquisition implementation, advisory and compliance for manufacturing, distribution, technology and CPG companies
  • Supports companies with an extensive state and global footprint
  • Serves private equity clients with C corporation and partnership entity structures
  • Works closely with business owners and management to provide tax and business solutions for complex issues or transactions
  • Develops and implements tax saving strategies for clients, as well as tax projections, to help clients manage cash flow
  • Coordinates international tax planning engagements by collaborating with Baker Tilly International tax professionals across the globe
  • Advises on burgeoning initial public offerings (IPOs)
  • Collaborates with other specialists across the firm to assist clients in addressing specialty tax and assurance planning needs
  • Shares her tax knowledge with trade publications and media outlets, including Crain's Chicago Business and Bloomberg Tax
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)
  • Ravinia Associates, board member
  • Latin School of Chicago Lower School assistant cross-country coach
  • ICPAS Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award, 2022
  • Baker Tilly US, LLP Tax Partner of the Year Award, FY2022

Location

Chicago, IL

Education

Master of Science in taxation

DePaul University (Chicago, Illinois)

Bachelor of Science in accountancy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign