Tax Director (Kansas City)

Location: Overland Park, KS – In-office to start, transitioning to hybrid remote

Terms: Full Time / Direct-Hire

Compensation: Competitive, based on experience, plus equity upside

Reports To: Firm Ownership — relationship-driven, low-bureaucracy organization

ROLE OVERVIEW

Step into an established, high-performing tax practice with real equity upside, rather than building one from scratch. Our client, a growth-stage wealth management firm, is handing off a warm, well-run practice with strong existing client relationships, a full production pipeline, and a supportive transition from outgoing leadership.

You'll stay hands-on, continuing to do real tax preparation and review work yourself, while also leading the team day to day. The firm wants a genuine leader here: someone who manages people, holds the team accountable, and drives the practice forward, not just a strong technical hand.

WHY THIS ROLE

• A real equity/ownership stake — a genuine piece of the practice, not just a bonus plan.
• An established book already in motion: ~200 returns and ~600 reviews per year, with the outgoing leader remaining available as a resource.
• High-net-worth and UHNW clientele, integrated with a wealth management and financial planning platform.
• A firm on a strong growth trajectory, with real room to grow alongside it.
• Real authority over the practice and its people, at a firm that runs on relationships rather than corporate process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hands-On Tax Practice: Continue performing tax preparation and review work personally, alongside your leadership duties.
• Technical & Practice Leadership: Act as the senior technical resource and people manager for the tax team, leading and holding the team accountable day to day.
• Accountability: Hold the team to real standards and deadlines. Firm leadership genuinely wants someone willing to drive accountability.
• Client Relationships & Business Development: Serve as a primary client-facing leader for the practice, owning high-net-worth relationships and pursuing new client opportunities.
• Production & Quality Oversight: Oversee tax return production (approximately 200 returns/year) and review throughput (approximately 600 reviews/year), keeping quality and efficiency high.
• Succession Partnership: Work closely with the outgoing co-founder during his transition into retirement (roughly 18 months); he'll remain available informally as a resource afterward.
• Strategic Partnership: Partner with firm leadership on strategic direction for the tax practice, and collaborate across wealth management and financial planning to deliver an integrated client experience.

REQUIREMENTS

• CPA License: Active and in good standing (required).
• Experience: 10 to 15+ years of progressive tax experience in public accounting, private practice, or a wealth management firm.
• People Management: Real experience leading a team and holding people accountable — this matters a great deal to the client.
• Client Presence: Strong client-facing communication skills and real personal presence with high-net-worth clients and prospects.
• Business Development: An entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of bringing in business and growing client relationships.
• Cultural Fit: A hands-on leader who thrives in a relationship-driven firm with low bureaucracy.
• Onboarding: Willing to be in-office to start, transitioning to a hybrid schedule.

NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Existing Book of Business: The firm is open to acquiring and compensating for a book you bring with you, which meaningfully increases total comp.
• HNW/UHNW Focus: Experience with high-net-worth or ultra-high-net-worth clients, family offices, or estate and trust taxation.
• Wealth Management Background: Experience in or adjacent to wealth management or financial planning.
• Practice-Building Experience: Experience building or scaling a tax practice at a growth-stage firm rather than a large institutional environment.