Director of Tax

Overview

A modern CPA firm focused on serving small businesses, startups, and real estate investors is seeking a Director of Tax to lead and scale its tax department. This hands-on leadership role involves preparing and reviewing tax returns, solving complex tax issues, developing processes, implementing technology and AI tools, and building a high-performing tax practice.

This position offers meaningful ownership and influence in a growing firm rather than a middle management role in a large organization.

Responsibilities

Tax Compliance & Review

• Prepare and review federal and state tax returns for S Corporations (1120S), Partnerships (1065), Individuals (1040), and multi-state filings
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of returns
• Manage tax deadlines, quarterly estimates, extensions, and filing workflows
• Identify tax-saving opportunities during return preparation and review
• Maintain high standards for quality control and technical accuracy

Tax Planning & Advisory

• Lead proactive tax planning engagements for business owners and high-income individuals
• Develop and present tax strategies tailored to client goals and circumstances
• Utilize tax planning software and forecasting tools to model planning opportunities
• Collaborate with clients on entity structure optimization, estimated tax planning, reasonable compensation, retirement strategies, multi-state tax considerations, pass-through entity elections, and business growth and exit planning
• Support the firm’s shift toward advisory-focused client relationships

Client Communication & Problem Solving

• Serve as a lead technical and strategic point of contact for tax clients
• Respond to client tax questions throughout the year in a timely and professional manner
• Assist with IRS and state notices, payroll tax issues and filings, sales tax questions, and tax research and technical interpretation
• Build trusted client relationships through proactive communication and practical guidance

Process Development & Technology

• Collaborate with firm leadership to improve and scale the tax department
• Develop and refine tax workflows, standard operating procedures, review procedures, and quality control systems
• Identify opportunities for automation and operational improvement
• Drive implementation and optimization of AI and technology tools across the tax practice
• Contribute to strategic decisions regarding systems, staffing, and departmental growth

Team Leadership & Department Growth

• Assist in recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring tax team members
• Establish performance expectations and best practices within the tax department
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, responsiveness, and continuous improvement
• Support the long-term development of a scalable and modern tax practice

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of public accounting tax experience
• Strong experience preparing and reviewing 1120S, 1065, 1040, and multi-state returns
• Deep understanding of small business and owner tax planning concepts
• Strong technical tax research skills
• Experience managing client relationships directly
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, evolving environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. CPA license
• Experience in a small or entrepreneurial CPA firm
• Experience building or improving tax department processes
• Familiarity with ProConnect Tax Online, Intuit Tax Advisor, TaxDome, and AI/workflow automation tools
• Experience mentoring or managing tax staff

Desired Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Highly accountable and dependable
• Ability to independently solve problems
• Process-oriented and operationally minded
• Confident and empathetic client communication
• Proactive approach
• Embraces technology and innovation
• Willingness to lead by example and engage in hands-on work

Success Metrics (First 12 Months)

• Taking ownership of the majority of the firm’s tax operations
• Improving turnaround times and overall return quality
• Reducing Managing Partner involvement in day-to-day tax production
• Enhancing client responsiveness and proactive communication
• Expanding tax planning and advisory offerings
• Implementing process improvements and automation
• Establishing a foundation for a scalable tax department

Compensation & Benefits

• Opportunity to shape and lead a growing tax department
• Direct collaboration with firm leadership
• Meaningful impact on clients and firm operations
• Entrepreneurial and forward-thinking environment
• Flexibility and autonomy in a fully remote setting
• Long-term growth opportunities as the firm scales

Location

• Fully remote position