Tax Managing Director, Private Client Services

BDO USA•Troy, MI

About The Position

The Tax Managing Director in Private Client Services (PCS) provides tax compliance and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals and clients with complex tax and financial structures. BDO’s boutique PCS practice serves individuals and families, family offices, C-suite executives, athletes, entertainers, and others, with expertise in estate, income, gift, and trust tax consulting and compliance; charitable giving and philanthropic foundations; executive compensation; and cash-flow, retirement, and life insurance planning. The role is a critical member of the office or regional leadership team and calls for strong communication, time-management, leadership, technical, business-development, and people skills. The position leads client engagements and teams, serves as a primary client contact, reviews complex tax returns, advises clients on tax implications and planning alternatives, and addresses highly complex matters involving government agencies. The Managing Director also contributes to practice leadership, business development, staff development, recruiting, training, and performance management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Ten or more years of prior experience in accounting, finance, or law required.
Expertise in private client services required.
Prior supervisory experience required.
CPA credential, IRS Enrolled Agent credential, attorney admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction, or equivalent designation required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat required.
Own career and technical development and actively pursue learning experiences to address technical knowledge gaps.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, translating complex thoughts into clear, concise language and a cohesive narrative.
Communicate client status at the frequency requested by the client and resolve client service issues in a timely and acceptable manner.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technical and practical issues and opportunities affecting high-net-worth individuals and their families.
Have expert knowledge of the application of standards and recognized expertise in a specialized field of taxation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree major in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Statistics.
Master’s degree in Accountancy or Taxation.
Experience working in public accounting.
Other professional degrees or certifications applicable to the role.
Experience with tax compliance process software such as GoSystems, BNA Tax Planner, GoFileRoom, or SurePrep.
Experience with tax research tools such as BNA Portfolio, CCH IntelliConnect, Checkpoint, or Lexis Nexis.

Responsibilities

Lead tax and consulting engagements and teach team members to identify and address client needs, tax planning, and consulting opportunities.
Serve as the primary client contact, providing executive presence and presenting issues and resolutions to clients.
Review complex individual, trust, estate, S-corporation, foundation, partnership, and gift tax returns, and provide written and verbal feedback to preparers.
Direct communications with government agencies on matters of the highest complexity.
Identify technical issues, conduct advanced tax research, and develop recommendations for PCS leadership, clients, and advisors.
Maintain and expand knowledge of tax concepts and current tax developments through client engagements and ongoing learning.
Prioritize and review work to keep engagements on track.
Use analytical, research, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills to support clients’ individual and business decisions.
Contribute to PCS and firm responsibilities, including billing, recruiting, attendance, and participation in CPE activities and training.
Build new relationships and maintain existing relationships with BDO professionals and external contacts.
Develop and introduce ideas to improve outcomes for clients, the Firm, or Firm personnel.
Present complex strategies to clients and prospective clients when required.
Advise clients on tax implications, recommend alternative courses of action, and identify methods of compliance.
Manage and monitor key performance indicators established by the business line.
Perform other duties as required.
Supervise associates, senior associates, and managers as appropriate.
Review work prepared by associates and senior associates and provide review comments.
Serve as a Career Advisor to associates, senior associates, and managers.
Schedule and manage the workload of associates, senior associates, and managers.
Provide verbal and written performance feedback to associates, senior associates, and managers.
Participate in practice leadership matters, including recruitment, staff learning and development, scheduling, and retention.
Develop a professional network of financial decision-makers, referral sources, and recruits, and actively network outside BDO.