Senior Tax Planning Advisor

Benjamin F Edwards & Co•Clayton, MO

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Tax Planning Advisor - CPA is a key member of the Financial Planning Team and is responsible for delivering proactive, client‑specific tax planning strategies for high‑net‑worth individuals and families. While this role requires strong experience in individual tax return preparation, the primary focus is tax planning, analysis, and strategy development, not tax compliance or tax return production. This individual will analyze a client’s full financial picture and collaborate with Financial Advisors, clients, and client CPAs to identify tax‑efficient opportunities aligned with the client’s goals. The ideal candidate is a CPA who can translate complex tax concepts into clear, actionable recommendations and communicate them effectively—both verbally and in writing—to clients and advisors.

Requirements

Strong technical knowledge of individual taxation
Demonstrated experience or strong interest in tax planning, not solely tax compliance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to analyze complex financial situations and identify tax‑efficient solutions
Strong problem‑solving, critical thinking, and opportunity‑seeking mindset
Experience working with or alongside financial advisors or wealth management firms
Exposure to investment‑related tax issues (capital gains, asset location, tax‑efficient investing)
Experience collaborating with external CPAs and professional partners
Comfort presenting in client meetings and advisor‑led discussions
Client‑focused and solutions‑oriented
Collaborative and relationship‑driven
Highly organized with strong attention to detail
Comfortable balancing technical depth with practical recommendations
A deep alignment with the Golden Rule and a commitment to high-integrity, high-character leadership.
10+ years of related work experience and at least 5+ years of preparing individual tax returns (Form 1040), preferably including high‑net‑worth individuals
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (Master’s in Taxation a plus)
CPA designation required
Series 7 and 63 preferred or the ability to attain within the first 12 months

Nice To Haves

Master’s in Taxation

Responsibilities

Analyze client tax situations, including income, investments, retirement plans, equity compensation, business interests, and estate considerations.
Develop individualized, forward‑looking tax planning strategies, such as: Income and deduction timing strategies, Retirement distribution and Roth conversion planning, Capital gains and loss harvesting strategies, Charitable giving strategies (DAFs, QCDs, etc.), Tax‑efficient investment and asset location planning.
Evaluate the tax impact of financial planning recommendations and investment decisions.
Stay current on tax law changes and proactively identify planning opportunities for clients.
Partner with the Planning Team and others across the firm to develop and communicate planning strategies and support the field.
Serve as the primary contact with vendors that provide tax planning tools and resources.
Provide support to Financial Advisors using Tax Planning Tools.
Participate in client meetings alongside Financial Advisors to explain tax strategies and planning concepts.
Collaborate with advisors, clients, and their CPAs to discuss and evaluate possible planning opportunities, ensure alignment, and implement strategies.
Serve as an internal tax resource for Financial Advisors, helping them identify and frame tax planning opportunities for clients.
Provide written summaries and follow‑up communications to document planning opportunities.
Translate complex tax concepts into understandable summaries that advisors and clients can use.
Communicate tax planning ideas and opportunities through blogs, white papers, webinars, etc.
Assist in developing internal tools, templates, or educational materials related to tax planning best practices.
Develop and monitor key performance metrics including advisor and client engagement, planning tool usage, business generated, measure the effectiveness of communications, etc.
Prepare and maintain summary reports for executive leadership on impact and opportunities.