Estate, Gift & Trust Partner / Managing Director

UHY•Farmington Hills, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

As the Estate, Gift, and Trust Managing Director, you will lead the firm's estate, gift, and trust practice and serve as a strategic advisor to high-net-worth individuals, families, and their teams of advisors. You will be responsible for driving the direction of the practice, managing the most complex and high-profile client relationships, and overseeing tax planning and compliance efforts. This role requires advanced technical expertise, outstanding leadership skills, and the ability to develop new business opportunities to further expand the firm’s presence in the estate, gift, and trust tax space.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
15+ years of relevant experience
10+ years of progressive tax leadership experience in a CPA firm or related professional service environment
Possession of professional certification(s) such as CPA, Enrolled Agent, LLM, CFP, MST, or Juris Doctor (JD)
Specific positions may require additional industry or specialization certifications
Responsible for completing the minimum CPE credit requirement

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (Master's) or additional relevant certifications

Responsibilities

Lead the firm’s estate, gift, and trust practice, ensuring the delivery of expert tax services, including the preparation and review of advanced estate, gift, and trust tax returns (Forms 706, 709, and 1041)
Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local tax regulations, ensuring timely and accurate filings for clients with complex needs
Act as the firm’s top technical advisor for estate, gift, and trust tax matters, guiding internal teams on complex issues and tax strategy development
Spearhead the creation of highly sophisticated tax planning strategies designed to minimize tax liabilities, protect family wealth, and ensure smooth wealth transfer across generations
Collaborate with clients, attorneys, financial advisors, and other key stakeholders to implement comprehensive and customized estate, gift, and trust plans
Provide ongoing strategic advisory services to clients, helping them navigate complex tax issues and adjust their plans as circumstances evolve
Serve as the principal point of contact for key clients, developing and maintaining trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families
Proactively identify clients' evolving needs and provide new services and solutions to address them
Lead the firm’s business development efforts, leveraging existing relationships and industry expertise to attract new clients and expand the practice’s footprint
Set the strategic direction for the estate, gift, and trust practice, ensuring alignment with the firm’s long-term goals and vision
Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, ensuring team members are aligned, motivated, and continuously developing their skills
Take a leading role in the firm’s overall growth, participating in firm-wide initiatives and collaborating with other practice areas
Stay at the forefront of estate, gift, and trust tax laws, regulations, and best practices, maintaining a deep knowledge of industry trends and changes
Lead and manage advanced research on complex tax issues, presenting solutions to clients and team members
Serve as a thought leader in the industry by contributing to the firm’s knowledge base, publishing articles, and presenting at seminars and conferences
Oversee the continuous improvement of estate, gift, and trust processes, implementing efficiencies and best practices across all aspects of the practice
Drive innovation within the practice by exploring new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance service delivery and optimize client outcomes
Will supervise subordinate staff