Tax Director

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Tax Director / Principal to lead a growing tax practice in Houston. This is a senior seat with two sides to it: you own the technical quality of the work, and you help grow the business.

On the delivery side, you are the final technical authority on complex returns, planning work and client positions. On the growth side, you build and keep client relationships, spot new work, and bring in new clients. How much weight sits on each side depends on your strengths

Technical leadership and delivery

•      Act as the final technical reviewer on federal, state and international tax filings for corporate, partnership, trust and high-net-worth individual clients.

•      Lead tax planning and structuring work — entity choice, M&A and transaction support, succession planning, multi-state and cross-border issues.

•      Research complex tax positions, document conclusions clearly, and sign off on the firm's position.

•      Own risk and quality on your portfolio: independence, documentation, conflicts, and engagement acceptance.

•      Represent clients in IRS and state examinations, notices and appeals.

•      Keep the team current on new legislation, rulings and guidance, and translate what changes for clients.

Client and relationship management

•      Own a portfolio of client relationships as the senior point of contact.

•      Meet clients through the year, not just at filing deadlines — anticipate issues and bring ideas early.

•      Set scope, pricing and engagement letters; manage realization, WIP and collections on your book.

•      Resolve escalations and protect client retention.

Growth and business development

•      Build a pipeline through referrals, existing clients, attorneys, bankers and centres of influence in the Houston market.

•      Lead proposals and pitches; convert opportunities into signed work.

•      Grow revenue on existing accounts through cross-selling advisory, audit and outsourced accounting services.

•      Contribute to the firm's market presence — speaking, writing, industry groups, alumni networks.

People and practice leadership

•      Lead, coach and develop Managers, Seniors and Associates; set clear goals and give direct feedback.

•      Own resourcing, capacity planning and busy-season workload balance for your group.

•      Play an active part in recruiting, onboarding and retention.

•      Support process improvement and tax technology adoption — automation, workflow tools, AI-assisted review.

•      Contribute to firm-level strategy, budgeting and policy as part of the leadership group.

Requirements

Essential

•      Active CPA licence (Texas, or eligible for reciprocity). JD with LL.M. in Taxation or EA considered for the right profile.

•      Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.

•      10+ years of tax experience, with at least 3–5 years at Senior Manager level or above, in public accounting.

•      Deep technical strength in at least two of: corporate tax (ASC 740), partnership taxation, international tax, state and local tax, high-net-worth individual and estate planning.

•      Proven record of reviewing complex returns and signing off on technical positions.

•      Experience leading and developing teams of 5 or more.

•      Strong written and verbal communication — able to explain technical issues to non-technical business owners.

•      Authorised to work in the United States.

Preferred

•      Experience serving founder-led businesses, private equity portfolio companies or lower middle-market clients.

•      Houston market network and a track record of originating new work.