Tax Principal

Wertz & Associates; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Performance-based bonus program

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Wertz & Associates is seeking an experienced Tax Principal to lead our Real Estate & Construction tax practice from Cleveland with hybrid flexibility. This role offers a base compensation of $180,000–$250,000 plus performance bonus and leadership visibility.

The ideal candidate will have CPA credentials, 10+ years in public accounting tax, and a track record serving real estate, construction, and closely held clients. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity with significant growth potential.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required.
• 10+ years of progressive public accounting tax experience.
• Strong experience serving real estate, construction, and closely held business clients.
• Experience managing sophisticated tax planning and compliance engagements.
• Proven leadership, mentorship, and business development abilities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to serve as both a technical expert and trusted business advisor.
• Desire to contribute to firm growth and long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead sophisticated tax planning engagements for real estate developers, construction companies, closely held businesses, investors, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Review complex corporate, partnership, individual, fiduciary, and pass-through entity tax returns.
• Develop proactive tax strategies designed to maximize client outcomes.
• Advise clients on business transactions, succession planning, estate planning, and wealth preservation strategies.
• Monitor tax legislation and communicate planning opportunities to clients and internal teams.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for key client relationships.
• Partner with business owners and executives on critical financial and tax decisions.
• Deliver exceptional client service through responsiveness, accessibility, and practical advice.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and service offerings.
• Mentor, coach, and develop managers, seniors, and staff professionals.
• Help build a high-performance team culture focused on collaboration and accountability.
• Support recruiting, training, and retention initiatives.
• Promote technical excellence and professional growth throughout the organization.
• Actively participate in networking and business development initiatives.
• Develop referral relationships with attorneys, bankers, wealth advisors, and other professional partners.
• Represent the firm at industry events and community organizations.
• Help drive strategic growth initiatives and market expansion efforts.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Tax planning

Mentorship

Business development

Education

Active CPA license

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

10+ years tax experience

Job description

Tax Principal

Real Estate & Construction Tax | Practice Leadership | Business Development | Future Firm Leadership

Compensation: $180,000–$250,000 Base + Performance Bonus + Leadership Opportunity
(Exceptional candidates with significant real estate or construction industry expertise, established client relationships, or proven business-development capabilities may be considered above the posted compensation range.)

Location: Cleveland / Sheffield Village, Ohio (Hybrid Flexibility Available)

Our client, a highly respected and growth-focused public accounting and advisory firm, is seeking an experienced Tax Principal to play a key leadership role in the continued expansion of its tax practice.

This is not simply another senior tax leadership position.

This is an opportunity to become one of the key drivers of a thriving firm known for exceptional client service, deep advisory relationships, and a commitment to developing both its clients and its people.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical tax expertise, proven leadership abilities, and a passion for building relationships. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to business owners, real estate investors, developers, construction companies, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth families while helping shape the firm's future growth strategy.

If you're looking for a seat at the leadership table, influence over firm direction, and the opportunity to expand an already successful practice, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• $180,000–$250,000 base salary
• Performance-based bonus program
• Significant leadership visibility and influence
• Opportunity to further expand a thriving Real Estate & Construction practice
• Established client relationships and referral networks
• Sophisticated tax planning and consulting engagements
• Meaningful business development opportunities
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial leadership team
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Outstanding long-term career upside

Exceptional candidates with significant real estate or construction industry expertise, established client relationships, or proven business-development capabilities may be considered above the posted compensation range.

The Opportunity

As a Tax Principal, you'll serve as a strategic advisor, business builder, mentor, and firm leader.

You'll partner closely with business owners, investors, executives, family groups, developers, and closely held companies to help them navigate complex tax challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve long-term financial success.

This role combines:

• Advanced Tax Planning & Strategy
• Real Estate & Construction Expertise
• Client Advisory Services
• Practice Leadership
• Team Development & Mentorship
• Business Development
• Firm Growth & Strategic Initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Tax Advisory

• Lead sophisticated tax planning engagements for real estate developers, construction companies, closely held businesses, investors, and high-net-worth individuals
• Review complex corporate, partnership, individual, fiduciary, and pass-through entity tax returns
• Develop proactive tax strategies designed to maximize client outcomes
• Advise clients on business transactions, succession planning, estate planning, and wealth preservation strategies
• Monitor tax legislation and communicate planning opportunities to clients and internal teams

Client Relationship Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor for key client relationships
• Partner with business owners and executives on critical financial and tax decisions
• Deliver exceptional client service through responsiveness, accessibility, and practical advice
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and service offerings

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop managers, seniors, and staff professionals
• Help build a high-performance team culture focused on collaboration and accountability
• Support recruiting, training, and retention initiatives
• Promote technical excellence and professional growth throughout the organization

Practice Growth

• Actively participate in networking and business development initiatives
• Develop referral relationships with attorneys, bankers, wealth advisors, and other professional partners
• Represent the firm at industry events and community organizations
• Help drive strategic growth initiatives and market expansion efforts

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required
• 10+ years of progressive public accounting tax experience
• Strong experience serving real estate, construction, and closely held business clients
• Experience managing sophisticated tax planning and compliance engagements
• Proven leadership, mentorship, and business development abilities
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to serve as both a technical expert and trusted business advisor
• Desire to contribute to firm growth and long-term success

Who Thrives Here?

The ideal candidate:

• Thinks like a business advisor, not simply a tax professional
• Enjoys building and growing client relationships
• Has a passion for mentoring future leaders
• Brings an entrepreneurial mindset to practice development
• Wants a high-impact leadership role with visibility and influence
• Takes pride in becoming a trusted advisor to clients and colleagues
• Seeks an opportunity where contributions directly affect firm success

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Performance-based bonus program
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Disability and life insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Paid parkingSummer hours program with flexible Fridays
• Busy season meals
• Flexible scheduling
• Firm retreats, social events, and team-building activities
• Employee fee participation program

About Our Client

Our client has built a reputation for delivering exceptional tax, advisory, audit, valuation, transaction, succession planning, and consulting services to privately held businesses and their owners.

Unlike firms focused solely on compliance, they take a holistic advisory approach, helping clients navigate every stage of the business lifecycle—from growth and expansion to succession, retirement, and exit planning.

The firm's culture is built around leadership, accountability, continuous learning, community involvement, and an unwavering commitment to client success. As they continue to grow, they are seeking leaders who want to make a meaningful impact on clients, mentor future professionals, and help shape the next generation of firm leadership.

If you're an experienced tax leader seeking a highly visible role with significant influence, strong earning potential, and the opportunity to help grow a premier advisory practice, we'd love to speak with you confidentially.