Director, Tax

AppFolio • Santa Barbara, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Tax will lead AppFolio’s corporate tax function, driving overall tax planning, income tax accounting, compliance, non-income tax strategy, and audit management. As a key strategic partner, you will advise senior leadership on tax opportunities and risks while building and mentoring a high-performing tax organization built for scale.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Active CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license required.
• 12+ years of progressive tax experience in public accounting and/or public corporate tax departments (preferably within the SaaS or technology sector).
• Deep technical knowledge of ASC 740 income tax accounting, U.S. federal and state income tax provisions, GAAP/SEC accounting rules, and SOX internal controls.
• Hands-on experience managing the full indirect/non-income tax compliance stack: sales & use tax, property tax, and business licensing.
• Proven track record as a people manager with demonstrated success developing talent and building high-performing teams.
• Proficiency with enterprise financial tools and software, including NetSuite, Avalara, Alteryx, CCH, Bloomberg research tools, Google Suite, and advanced Microsoft Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with R&D tax credit studies and optimization.
• Familiarity with equity compensation tax (RSUs, ESPPs, stock options) in a public company context.
• Exposure to M&A tax due diligence and post-acquisition integration.
• Track record of evaluating and implementing AI-assisted tools for tax research and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Tax Leadership: Act as the primary Subject Matter Expert on tax, proactively identifying risks, flagging concerns to leadership, and advising on the tax implications of business development transactions and corporate growth.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance & Reporting: Direct all U.S. federal, state, local, GAAP, and SEC tax reporting requirements, managing quarterly and year-end tax provisions, journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Optimize Operational Efficiency: Build out a modern tax roadmap to automate processes, streamline close procedures, and enhance SOX internal controls.
• Manage Audits & External Relations: Oversee notices and inquiries from federal and state tax authorities, leading tax audit defenses and managing third-party advisor relationships.
• Build & Scale a High-Performing Team: Coach, develop, and retain a high-engagement tax team by establishing clear scorecards, individual development plans, and continuous feedback loops.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with FP&A, Treasury, Legal, and Accounting to deliver accurate quarterly cash forecasts and support corporate initiatives.

Benefits

• The compensation that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: $184,000 - $230,000 [base pay].
• The actual compensation for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, education, experience, and internal equity.
• Please note that compensation is just one aspect of a comprehensive Total Rewards package.
• The compensation range listed here does not include additional benefits or any discretionary bonuses you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type.
• Regular full-time employees are eligible for benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director