Tax Director

MDS Search; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Health & welfare

401(k) retirement plan

Parental leave

Job summary

MDS Search client seeks a Tax Director, Partner and Leader to drive strategic vision and growth of the tax practice in Petaluma, CA. You will oversee sophisticated planning and compliance for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, multi-entity structures and cross-border operations.

We value 10+ years of high-level tax experience, CPA license, and a strong command of federal/state/local tax laws. Expect leadership responsibilities, cross-functional collaboration, and profitability focus.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive, high-level tax experience in public accounting.
• Active CPA license required; Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field (MST or Master’s in Tax strongly preferred).
• Deep command of federal, state, and local tax laws across high-net-worth individuals, multi-entity pass-throughs, C-Corporations, and cross-border operations.
• Leadership & Team Building: Proven track record of scaling teams, developing future leaders, and building an accountable, high-trust culture focused on technical excellence.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: High executive presence with an ability to simplify technical jargon for C-suite executives and business owners, while driving firm profitability and client retention.
• Systems Proficiency: Mastery of modern tax research, compliance, and workflow management software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic execution of complex tax engagements for high-net-worth individuals and entities.
• Act as firmwide technical authority on evolving tax legislation and regulatory changes.
• Oversee risk management, quality control, and workflow efficiency across the practice.
• Direct resource planning and mentor managers and senior managers to develop leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Tax expertise

Client advisory

Team development

Strategic thinking

Education

CPA license

Bachelor's in Accounting

MST or Master’s in Tax

Tools

Tax research software

Tax compliance software

Workflow management software

Job description

Our client is a premier, top-tier advisory firm that combines deep technical tax expertise with a human-first approach.

They are seeking a Tax Director - Partner - Leader for there Petaluma Office.

Whether you are looking to drive practice growth, mentor the next generation of tax leaders, or achieve a fulfilling work-life balance in Northern California's wine country, we provide the platform for you to thrive.

Position Overview & Impact

As Tax Director, you will serve as a core leader within our practice, driving the strategic vision, technical quality, and growth of our tax practice. You will oversee sophisticated tax planning and compliance engagements for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, multi-entity business structures, and cross-border operations.

• Strategic Client Advisory: Lead the execution of complex tax engagements, serving as the primary trusted advisor on advanced tax strategies, including M&A structuring, business succession planning, entity optimization, and long-term tax minimization.
• Technical Authority: Act as the firmwide technical subject matter expert on evolving tax legislation, distilling complex regulatory changes into actionable strategies for clients, internal leadership, and specialized teams (Estate, SALT, International).
• Practice Leadership & Operational Excellence: Oversee risk management, quality control, and compliance practices. Drive continuous improvement by refining tax processes, adopting cutting-edge tax technology, and optimizing workflow scalability.
• Team Development & Mentorship: Direct resource planning and guide a high-performing team of managers and senior managers through coaching, performance development, and strategic succession planning.

Qualifications & Expertise

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive, high-level tax experience in public accounting, with demonstrated expertise managing complex, multi-faceted engagements.
• Licensure & Education: Active CPA license required; Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field (MST or Master’s in Tax strongly preferred).
• Technical Mastery: Deep command of federal, state, and local tax laws across high-net-worth individuals, multi-entity pass-throughs, C-Corporations, and cross-border operations.
• Leadership & Team Building: Proven track record of scaling teams, developing future leaders, and building an accountable, high-trust culture focused on technical excellence.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: High executive presence with an ability to simplify technical jargon for C-suite executives and business owners, while driving firm profitability and client retention.
• Systems Proficiency: Mastery of modern tax research, compliance, and workflow management software.

California Salary Range: $170,000 – $250,000 / year

Actual compensation is determined based on skills, experience, leadership track record, and relevant qualifications. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for discretionary annual incentive compensation based on individual, practice, and firm performance.

What We Offer

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, flexible scheduling options, and a firmwide winter closure.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement savings plan with firm match.
• Family Support: Paid parental leave (available after one year of service).