Director, Tax

AppFolio; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 184,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AppFolio is seeking a Director of Tax to lead the corporate tax function, guiding tax planning, accounting, compliance, non-income tax strategy, and audit management. You will partner with senior leadership to identify opportunities and risks while building a scalable tax organization.

You will supervise U.S. federal/state/local tax reporting, streamline processes, and enhance internal controls, working cross-functionally with FP&A, Treasury, Legal and Accounting.

Qualifications

• 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 SaaS/tech).
• Deep technical knowledge of ASC 740 income tax accounting, U.S. federal/state tax provisions, GAAP/SEC accounting rules, and SOX controls.
• Hands-on experience with indirect/non-income tax compliance: sales & use tax, property tax, licenses.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary Subject Matter Expert on tax, advising leadership on opportunities and risks.
• Oversee all U.S. federal, state, local tax reporting, GAAP tax provisions, journal entries, reconciliations.
• Build a modern tax roadmap to automate processes and strengthen SOX controls.
• Lead tax audits and manage relationships with external advisors.
• Coach and develop a high-performing tax team with clear performance plans.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Tax technology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA license

Tools

NetSuite

Avalara

Alteryx

CCH

Bloomberg

Google Workspace

Excel

Job description

Description

AppFolio is more than a company. We’re a community of dreamers, big thinkers, problem solvers, active listeners, and multipliers. At every opportunity, we set the pace while delivering innovation built to carry real estate into the future. One in which every experience feels effortless, yet meaningful. Where customers are empowered to take on any opportunity. We show up as one team, connected by our values to be a force for good. Because together, we have the power to create extraordinary outcomes for our customers, our communities, and ourselves.

AppFolio is more than a company. We’re a community of dreamers, big thinkers, problem solvers, active listeners, and multipliers. At every opportunity, we set the pace while delivering innovation built to carry real estate into the future. One in which every experience feels effortless, yet meaningful. Where customers are empowered to take on any opportunity. We show up as one team, connected by our values to be a force for good. Because together, we have the power to create extraordinary outcomes for our customers, our communities, and ourselves.

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.

Your Impact

• 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.

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with strong intellectual horsepower who is comfortable navigating complex tax mechanics and business proposals.
• Proven history of elevating the collective output of the department while maintaining exceptional organizational efficiency and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated success thriving in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment across finance, legal, and corporate strategy teams.
• Exceptional executive-level written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to translate complex tax legislation into clear, actionable guidance.
• Passion for building trust by listening to customer needs and operating with unwavering integrity.

Must Have

• 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.

Strongly Preferred

• 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.

Compensation & 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 - see here.

About AppFolio

AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com.

Why AppFolio

Grow | We enable a culture of high performance, where delivering results is recognized by opportunities for growth and compelling total rewards. Our challenging and meaningful work drive the growth of our business, and ourselves.

Learn | We partner with you to realize your potential by investing in you from the start. We're cultivating a team of big thinkers through coaching and mentorship with our best-in-class leaders, and giving you the time and tools to develop your skills.

Impact | We are creating a world where living in, investing in, managing, and supporting communities feels magical and effortless, freeing people to thrive. We do this by innovating with purpose while cultivating a culture of impact. We learn as much from each other as we do our customers and our communities.

Connect | We excel at hybrid work by fostering an environment that feels flexible, personal and connected, no matter where we are. We create space to fuel innovation and collaboration, and we come together to celebrate, connect, and succeed.

Paddle as One.
Learn more at appfolio.com/company/careers

Statement of Equal Opportunity

At AppFolio, we value diversity in backgrounds and perspectives and depend on it to drive our innovative culture. That’s why we’re a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that our products, our teams, and our business are stronger because of it. This means that no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status, you’re always welcome at AppFolio.