Tax Director

Gaines & Associates, PC.; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Comprehensive benefits package

Vacation/PTO

Continuing professional education support

Job summary

A leading CPA firm is seeking a Tax Director to oversee tax compliance and planning engagements. This high-impact role involves preparing complex returns, mentoring staff, and serving as a key client contact. Qualified candidates should have 5+ years in public accounting, strong skills in project management, and proficiency in complex business returns. This full-time position offers a collaborative environment with competitive salary and performance-based bonus, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experienced in preparing and reviewing complex business and individual returns.
• Strong ability to lead technical reviews and manage risk.
• Familiarity with SALT (State and Local Tax) and consolidations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and review complex tax returns for various entities.
• Oversee tax planning and compliance engagements.
• Serve as key client contact, providing proactive guidance.

Skills

Client communication

Project management

Mentoring

Tax planning

Technical reviews

Education

CPA preferred

5+ years in public accounting

Tools

CCH ProSystem

QuickBooks Online

Power BI

Excel

Job description

GAPC (Gaines & Associates, PC) is a fast-growing CPA–Business Advisory and Consulting firm serving clients nationwide. We offer a collaborative, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment where talented professionals can grow their expertise, make an impact, and build long-term client relationships.

About the Role

We’re seeking a Tax Director to play a key leadership role in our growing team. In this role, you’ll be instrumental in leading tax compliance and planning engagements across entity types, overseeing technical accuracy, and mentoring a team of professionals. You’ll be involved in the preparation of complex returns and planning engagements and serve as the final reviewer and technical authority ensuring accuracy, quality, and efficiency across client deliverables.

This is a high-impact, client-facing position and integral to our collaborative CPA-CFO-Business Advisory model. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to business owners and their leadership teams, helping them make informed decisions and position their companies for sustainable success.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and review complex returns: Prepare, manage, and/or perform final technical reviews of federal and state returns for corporations, partnerships, and individuals, including multi-state filings.
• Drive tax planning: Oversee entity structuring, reorganizations, and quarterly/annual planning (estimates, safe harbors, elections, basis, and credits).
• Research and present findings: Explore, analyze and develop concise, well-supported positions on complex issues (e.g., §199A, §163(j), SALT, FIN 48, NOLs, M&A tax, at-risk).
• Manage client relationships: Serve as a key point of contact for clients, identifying risks and opportunities, and providing proactive guidance.
• Coach and develop staff: Supervise, train, and review work prepared by staff; promote consistency in workflow, QC standards, and deadlines.
• Guide controversy resolution: Handle IRS and state correspondence, penalty abatements, and payment plan negotiations through successful resolution.
• Collaborate across teams: Partner with our Client Advisory Services, CFO, and M&A advisory teams to deliver integrated client solutions that bridge tax and finance.

What You’ll Bring

• CPA preferred but not required; 5+ years in public accounting.
• Proficient in preparing and reviewing complex business and individual returns, multi-state compliance, and planning.
• Strong client communication, project management, and mentoring skills.
• Mastery of pass-through and C-Corp taxation, SALT, and consolidations (a plus).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews, manage risk, and uphold firmwide quality standards.

Nice to Have

• MST, CMI (SALT), or international tax exposure.
• Experience with M&A, transaction tax, or CAS/FP&A collaboration.
• Familiarity with CCH ProSystem, ProConnect, Corptax, QuickBooks Online, Excel, Google Sheets, Power BI or Tableau, NetSuite, or HubSpot.
• Business acumen: Understands how tax planning and compliance drives broader business outcomes.
• Client-centered mindset: Dedicated to delivering responsive, high-quality service.
• Innovative thinking: Brings ideas to improve processes and tools.
• Change management: Leads teams through transitions and new technology adoption.
• Time management: Prioritizes effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus.
• 401(k) plan and comprehensive benefits package.
• Vacation/PTO.
• Continuing professional education and development support.
• Full-time (40+ hours/week).

How to Apply

Please apply directly on LinkedIn with your resume and a brief cover letter (2-3 bullet points on relevant experience or wins) or send to [e-mail]. For more information about GAPC, please visit our website at www.gainescpacfo.com.