State and Local Tax Practice Lead

Overview

A national accounting firm is seeking an experienced State and Local Tax (SALT) Leader to join their growing practice. This role requires a driven and entrepreneurial tax professional with deep knowledge of state and local income and sales tax laws and regulations. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, lead teams with confidence and vision, and deliver high-quality client service.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and deliver innovative state and local tax planning, consulting, and compliance services to clients
• Market the SALT practice through development and publication of thought leadership
• Collaborate with business and personal services groups to review multi-state returns and identify client issues
• Conduct tax research on federal conformity, consolidated/unitary filing requirements, apportionment methodologies, domicile, and other multi-state tax issues
• Oversee and deliver voluntary disclosure engagements and represent clients before state tax authorities
• Manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment
• Ensure client satisfaction through open communication, expectation management, and proactive sharing of tax-saving strategies
• Work closely with partners and staff on client management, professional development, and business development activities
• Manage, develop, train, and mentor staff, including conducting performance and engagement reviews
• Lead and manage client representation in audit defense and controversy services before state and local tax authorities, including audits, appeals, voluntary disclosures, and administrative proceedings
• Provide strategic leadership in planning and delivering complex SALT services across multiple industries and jurisdictions
• Serve as a trusted advisor on sophisticated multistate tax matters, identifying risks, opportunities, and tax-saving strategies aligned with business objectives
• Lead growth of the SALT practice through business development, client relationship management, service expansion, and cross-selling opportunities
• Enhance market presence by developing and presenting thought leadership such as articles, webinars, client alerts, and conference presentations on emerging SALT trends
• Oversee voluntary disclosure agreements, state tax audits, appeals, and other regulatory matters to ensure favorable outcomes for clients

Qualifications

• J.D. or CPA certification required
• Minimum of 10 years of tax experience, including at least 6 years focused on State and Local Income and Sales Tax
• Strong technical expertise in SALT compliance and consulting, including oversight and review of returns, complex tax matters, agency correspondence, and tax research
• Ability to think strategically and solve complex multistate tax issues using creative and analytical approaches
• Proven ability to self-direct, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple complex engagements and client relationships under tight deadlines
• Outstanding leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal skills with a track record of developing staff and fostering long-term client relationships
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to attract, expand, and develop profitable, sustainable client relationships
• Experience leading complex sales and use tax engagements, including compliance, taxability analysis, exemption certificate management, and audit defense advisory
• Expertise in audit defense and controversy services, including client representation and strategic guidance in audits, appeals, and administrative proceedings
• Experience directing nexus studies and advising on voluntary disclosure strategies to manage risk and mitigate exposure
• Knowledge of income and franchise tax compliance and consulting, including nexus, apportionment, and allocation methodologies for multistate operations
• Advising on state pass-through entity tax regimes, elective entity-level taxes, and related compliance and planning considerations
• Leading state and local tax due diligence, structuring, and planning for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and other strategic transactions
• Active participation in business development efforts, including client origination, cross-selling, proposal preparation, responding to RFPs, and contributing to thought leadership

Compensation & Benefits

Details regarding compensation and benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Location

This is a national firm; specific location details will be discussed with candidates during the hiring process.