Associate Director, Tax

Cynch AI • Pleasanton, CA

10d • Hybrid

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 and enable its people to focus on client understanding, complex problem-solving, and lasting relationships. The firm is expanding organically and through strategic acquisitions, with defined advancement criteria and performance-based opportunities for greater responsibility and equity over time.

The Associate Director, Tax will own the practice’s largest and most complex client relationships across planning, compliance, and consulting. This person will lead complex tax return preparation and review, deliver multi-year tax planning, and advise clients with an understanding of their business operations and finances. The Associate Director will serve as a senior escalation point for managers and staff, mentor tax professionals, manage engagement scope and fees, grow client relationships, and monitor tax risk.

The role is hybrid and based in the Pleasanton, Cupertino, or Santa Cruz offices, with potential work locations in the North Bay. The position requires three days per week in an office. Extended hours may be needed during peak tax season and to meet client deadlines, with occasional travel for client meetings or practice events. The California salary range is $225,000–$250,000.

Requirements

• Active CPA or EA credential.
• 15 or more 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.
• Proven 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 higher-fee, more complex client relationships across tax planning, compliance, and consulting.
• Lead preparation and review of complex federal, state, and local 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 go-to 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, scope, price, and bill out-of-scope work appropriately.
• Monitor and manage tax risk for the practice and its clients, ensuring tax positions are defensible.

Benefits

• Health care plan (medical, dental, and vision).
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Basic life insurance.
• Unlimited vacation, plus sick and public holidays.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Hybrid work from home.
• Stock option plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed