Associate Director, Tax
About The Position
Aardvark Tax Advisors is a full-service tax, accounting, and advisory firm serving small businesses and entrepreneurs. As the accounting and client services practice of Cynch AI, the firm uses proprietary AI to reduce routine tasks so its people can focus on higher-value client work and remain accountable for outcomes. The practice is growing organically and through strategic acquisitions, with defined expectations and advancement criteria and performance-based opportunities for greater responsibility and equity over time. The Associate Director, Tax owns the practice’s largest and most complex client relationships, handles higher-fee and higher-complexity engagements, supports managers on difficult issues, and contributes directly to practice revenue growth. The position is hybrid, with three days per week in the Cupertino, Santa Cruz, or Pleasanton, California offices; North Bay locations may also be possible. Extended hours may be needed during peak tax season and to meet client deadlines, along with occasional travel for client meetings or practice events.
Requirements
- Active CPA or EA credential.
- 15+ years of experience in public accounting or tax.
- Deep experience in tax compliance, planning, and advisory for individuals, partnerships, S corporations, and closely held businesses.
- Track record of managing a substantial book of higher-complexity, higher-fee clients.
- Experience managing and developing tax professionals.
- Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations, including complex returns and multi-entity planning.
- Experience scoping engagements, identifying out-of-scope work, and driving fee realization.
- Proficiency with professional tax software such as UltraTax, CCH Axcess, Lacerte, or similar.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a CFO, controller, or other finance leadership role within an operating business.
- Experience running a practice or client book.
- Experience taking over and maintaining client relationships through practice transitions.
Responsibilities
- Own complex, higher-fee client relationships across tax planning, compliance, and consulting.
- Lead preparation and review of complex federal, state, and local tax returns for corporations, partnerships, individuals, trusts, and estates.
- Deliver multi-year tax planning, including entity structure, owner compensation, and the effects of legislative changes on clients’ business and personal finances.
- Understand clients’ operations and finances to advise on business decisions, not only tax filings.
- Ensure returns meet the practice’s quality standards before they are delivered.
- Serve as a resource for managers and staff on complex client, technical tax, and engagement issues.
- Resolve difficult client situations.
- Mentor managers and senior staff by sharing professional judgment and approach.
- Grow existing client relationships where additional value can be delivered.
- Plan engagements for the client base, including timing, staffing, and fees ahead of peak season.
- Identify out-of-scope work, define its scope, and ensure it is appropriately priced and billed.
- Monitor and manage tax risk for the practice and its clients, ensuring tax positions are defensible.
Benefits
- Health care plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Basic life insurance.
- Unlimited vacation, plus sick time and public holidays.
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- Hybrid work-from-home arrangement.
- Stock option plan.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
