Tax Managing Director, Private Client Services

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Total Rewards benefits

Job summary

BDO's Private Client Services seeks a Tax Managing Director to lead tax engagements for high-net-worth clients, overseeing complex returns and strategy. The role emphasizes leadership, client relations, and technical excellence in estate, gift, and trust planning.

The position requires a decade of experience, CPA/EA/attorney credentials, and senior supervisory capabilities, with opportunities to shape client service delivery and KPI outcomes.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of accounting, finance, or law experience.
• Expertise in the private client service area.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience working in public accounting, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads tax and consulting engagements and mentors the team.
• Serves as primary client contact for preparation and resolution.
• Reviews complex tax returns and provides feedback.
• Directs communications with government agencies on complex matters.
• Conducts advanced tax research and develops recommendations.
• Oversees KPI tracking and practice leadership responsibilities.
• Assists with recruitment and firm contributions.

Skills

Executive presence

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Analytical skills

Research abilities

People skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Statistics

Master’s degree in Accountancy or Taxation

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

GoSystems

BNA Tax Planner

GoFileRoom

SurePrep

BNA Portfolio

CCH IntelliConnect

Checkpoint

Lexis Nexis

Job description

Job Summary:

Private Client Services at BDO is a boutique practice within our firm. Offering a high touch approach, we have extensive experience serving high net-worth individuals, their families, family offices, C-Suite executives, athletes, entertainers, as well as other people with complicated tax and financial structures. The Private Client Services Practice is experienced in all aspects of estate, income, gift, and trust tax consulting and compliance; charitable giving and philanthropic foundations; executive compensation; and cash-flow, retirement, and life insurance planning.

A Tax Managing Director, Private Client Services (PCS) is responsible for utilizing their educational background and professional experience as well as their communication, time management, leadership, technical, business development, and people skills to provide tax compliance and consulting services to our high net-worth clients. The Tax Managing Director is a critical member of the office/region leadership team.

Job Duties:

• Leads tax and consulting engagements and teaches their team the skills needed to identify and address client needs, tax planning, and consulting opportunities
• ProvidesExecutive presence and acts as the primary client contact for preparation and presentation of issues and resolution to clients
• Reviews complex individual, trust, estate, S-Corp, foundation, partnership, and gift tax returns and provides written and verbal feedback to preparers
• Directs communication with government agencies for matters of the highest complexity
• Identifies technical issues, conducts advanced tax research, and develops sound recommendations for PCS leadership, clients, and advisors
• Expands their in-depth understanding of tax concepts and knowledge through client engagements and current tax developments
• Prioritizes andreviews work to keep engagements on track
• Utilizes strong analytical, research and critical thinking skills as well as decision-making skills to assist with client needs regarding individual and business decisions
• Assists with PCS/firm contribution responsibilities including billing, recruiting, attendance, and participation in CPE activities and training
• Builds new relationships and maintains existing relationships with BDO professionals and external sources
• Introduces and develops new or improved ideas to improve the position of clients, the Firm, or Firm personnel,
• May be required to present complex strategies to clients and prospective clients
• Advises clients on tax implications and recommend alternative courses of action and identify different methods of compliance
• Manages and monitors key performance indicators (KPI’s) as established by the business line
• Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises associates, senior associates and managers, as the situation dictates
• Reviews work prepared by associates and senior associates and provide review comments
• Acts as a Career Advisor to associates, senior associates and managers
• Schedules and manages workload of associates, senior associates, and managers
• Provides verbal and written performance feedback to associates, senior associates and managers

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, required; major in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Statistics, preferred
• Master’s degree in Accountancy or Taxation, preferred

Experience:

• Ten (10) or more years prior experience in accounting, finance, or law, required
• Expertise in the private client service area, required
• Prior supervisory experience, required
• Experience working in public accounting, preferred

License/Certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant credential, Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent (“EA”) credential, Attorney (admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction), or the equivalent of one of these designations, required
• Possession of other professional degrees or certifications applicable to role, preferred

Software:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat, required
• Experience with tax compliance process software (GoSystems, BNA Tax Planner, GoFileRoom, SurePrep), preferred
• Experience with tax research tools (BNA Portfolio, CCH IntelliConnect, Checkpoint and Lexis Nexis), preferred

Language:

• N/A

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Owns their own career and technical development
• Demonstrates self-awareness, actively pursues projects and learning experiences to fill in their technical knowledge gaps
• Takes joint responsibility for the success of the practice
• Expresses themselves effectively verbally and in writing; takes complex thoughts, synthesizes them into works using clear, concise language, and presents a cohesive narrative
• Communicates status to the client in line with the frequencies the client desires; Resolves client service issues in a timely and acceptable manner
• Internally, behaves as part of the practice leadership group and is actively involved in practice matters such as recruitment, staff learning and development, scheduling, and retention
• Develops an in-depth understanding of the technical and practical issues and opportunities for high net-worth individuals and their families
• Has expert knowledge of application of standards
• Recognized as industry expert in specialized field of taxation
• Spends time developing their network of key financial decision makers, referral sources, and recruits
• Seizes opportunities for new professional contacts when presented; Actively networks professionally outside of BDO

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

California Range: $215,000 - $270,000
Colorado Range: $170,000 - $225,000
Illinois Range: $175,000 - $250,000
Maryland Range: $185,000 - $260,000
Massachusetts Range: $215,000 - $300,000
Minnesota Range: $170,000 - $250,000
New Jersey Range: $190,000 - $350,000
Ohio Range: $150,000 - $300,000
NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $230,000 - $350,000
Washington Range: $180,000 - $240,000
Washington DC Range: $190,000 - $300,000

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance your financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits.

*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets