Tax Director

Tax Director | Award-Winning Tax & Wealth Advisory Firm | Bergen County, NJ | Up to $180,000 + bonus

About the Firm

Our client is a growing and highly respected tax and wealth advisory firm in Bergen County, NJ, recognised nationally across several industry rankings in recent years. While boutique in size, their client base is mid-market in nature, and the accounting team of around 25 people handles a broad and complex mix of work.

They’re seeking a Tax Director to lead the tax function and work closely with the partner group as the firm continues to grow. The role offers a base salary of up to $180,000 plus bonus and benefits, commensurate with experience. The team works one day a week remotely, with flexible scheduling and early finishes on summer Fridays. Extra hours are expected during tax season (Feb to Apr). Relocation to NJ is welcome for the right candidate.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role with real ownership. You’ll be the technical lead across the tax practice, overseeing the review of complex engagements, setting the standard for quality and process, and acting as a trusted advisor to the firm’s key clients. You’ll lead and develop the managers and staff beneath you, partner with the wealth advisors on integrated tax and financial planning, and help shape how the practice scales over the next few years.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s tax practice day to day, overseeing workflow, staffing and delivery across all engagements
• Provide final level review of complex individual, partnership, corporate, trust and estate returns
• Own the tax planning process for key clients, including year round projections and strategy
• Serve as the senior technical resource for the team, researching and resolving complex tax issues
• Manage, mentor and develop tax managers, seniors and staff, building out the team’s bench strength
• Work alongside the wealth advisors on estate, retirement and financial planning matters
• Build and deepen relationships with high value clients and support new business development
• Drive process improvement, best practices and quality control across the tax function
• Oversee budgets, realization and production goals for the practice
• Lead internal training and CPE on technical updates and relevant industries
• Partner with leadership on firm strategy, growth initiatives and new client proposals

Preferred Qualifications / Requirements

• Active CPA license
• 10+ years of public accounting experience, with significant time in a tax leadership role
• Experience at a mid-market CPA firm, or serving mid-market clients, strongly preferred
• Deep technical knowledge across 1040, 1065, 1120/1120S, 1041 and 706 returns
• Proven track record leading and developing tax teams
• Strong client facing presence with experience managing senior client relationships
• Lacerte experience a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; Master’s in Taxation a plus

Desired Characteristics

• Confident leader who can set direction and hold a high bar for quality
• Superior interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Commercially minded, with an eye for growing the practice
• Organized, detail oriented and comfortable managing competing priorities