Tax Principal

Harbor Accounting Group; Syosset (NY); On-site; USD 203,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary starting at $

Performance-based bonus opportunities

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development and CE

Leadership opportunity within growingF

Job summary

Harbor Accounting Group in Syosset, NY is seeking an experienced Tax Principal to lead tax engagements for closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals. You will manage tax planning, compliance, and advisory services while guiding engagement teams and maintaining strong client relationships.

The role combines technical leadership with business development, mentoring, and innovation in tax technology to drive growth and profitability for the Tax & Advisory Services practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or related field.
• Active CPA or EA license required.
• 15+ years of progressive public accounting experience, including significant responsibility for tax engagements and client relationships.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local taxation (partnership, S corporation, individual).
• Extensive experience serving closely held businesses, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Ability to independently manage complex client engagements and diverse portfolio.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Strong client relationship management, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and deadlines with exceptional client service.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals.
• Provide proactive federal, state, and local tax planning, consulting, and compliance services.
• Advise clients on complex tax matters, including entity structuring and succession planning.
• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships while identifying advisory opportunities.
• Collaborate with clients' management teams and professionals on tax matters.
• Provide guidance on evolving tax legislation and regulatory developments.
• Oversee the review and delivery of complex returns (individual, partnership, S corp, C corp, fiduciary).
• Lead tax planning and research initiatives with practical solutions.
• Manage multiple engagements, staffing, budgets, deadlines, and profitability.
• Ensure quality and timely deliverables in line with professional standards.
• Provide technical guidance to managers and staff on complex issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and client service.
• Contribute to growth of Harbor Accounting Group's Tax & Advisory practice.
• Develop relationships with clients and referral sources; pursue new opportunities.
• Participate in business development, networking, and professional organizations.
• Support integration of new clients and member firms as the organization grows.
• Lead, mentor, and develop tax managers, seniors, and staff; provide feedback and career guidance.
• Delegate responsibilities and oversee engagement teams for quality and efficiency.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Champion tax technology and automation to improve engagement execution.
• Stay current on emerging technologies and industry developments affecting the profession.

Skills

Tax expertise

Client relationship management

Leadership & mentoring

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Taxation

Tools

ProSystem fx

Lacerte

UltraTax

Job description

Harbor Accounting Group | Syosset, NY

About Harbor Accounting Group

Harbor Accounting Group is a family-owned accounting firm based on Long Island, New York. Comprised of seven member firms and continuing to grow, we provide comprehensive tax, accounting, and advisory services to closely held businesses, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals across a variety of industries.

We combine the personalized service and strong client relationships of our member firms with the resources, technology, and expertise of a growing organization. We foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where experienced professionals are empowered to lead, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

Position Overview

Harbor Accounting Group is seeking an experienced Tax Principal to join our growing Tax & Advisory Services practice. This position will manage an established portfolio of closely held businesses, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals, with responsibility for tax compliance, strategic planning, advisory services, and oversight of client relationships and engagement teams.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished tax professional with strong technical expertise, exceptional client relationship management skills, and a demonstrated ability to lead complex engagements and develop high-performing teams.

This role combines technical leadership, strategic client advisory, practice management, and business development responsibilities. The Tax Principal will work closely with firm leadership and play an integral role in the continued growth and success of Harbor Accounting Group.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Strategic Advisory

• Serve as the primary relationship manager and trusted advisor for a portfolio of closely held businesses, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Provide proactive federal, state, and local tax planning, consulting, and compliance services.
• Advise clients on complex tax matters, including entity structuring, business transactions, succession planning, and other strategic tax considerations.
• Develop and maintain strong, long-term client relationships while identifying opportunities to provide additional advisory services.
• Collaborate with clients' management teams, attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals to address business and tax matters.
• Provide guidance on evolving tax legislation and regulatory developments impacting clients.

Technical Excellence & Engagement Oversight

• Oversee the review and delivery of complex individual, partnership, S corporation, C corporation, and fiduciary tax returns.
• Lead tax planning and research initiatives, providing practical solutions to complex technical and compliance matters.
• Manage multiple client engagements, including staffing, budgets, deadlines, workflow, and profitability.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and timely completion of client deliverables while maintaining compliance with professional standards.
• Provide technical guidance and support to managers and staff on complex tax issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance efficiency, and strengthen client service.

Practice Growth & Business Development

• Contribute to the strategic growth and continued expansion of Harbor Accounting Group's Tax & Advisory Services practice.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with existing clients, referral sources, and other industry professionals.
• Identify new business opportunities and additional service offerings within existing client relationships.
• Participate in business development initiatives, networking events, and professional organizations.
• Collaborate with firm leadership on practice development, client retention, and growth initiatives.
• Support the successful integration of new clients and member firms as the organization expands.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop tax managers, seniors, and staff, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
• Provide meaningful feedback, career guidance, and professional development opportunities.
• Effectively delegate responsibilities and oversee engagement teams to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.

Innovation & Operational Excellence

• Champion the use of tax technology, automation, and digital solutions to improve engagement execution and client service.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline workflows, improve operational efficiency, and enhance profitability.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to establish best practices and promote consistency across the organization.
• Stay current on emerging technologies and industry developments affecting the accounting profession.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related field.
• Active CPA or EA license required
• 15+ years of progressive public accounting experience, including significant responsibility for tax engagements and client relationships.
• Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local taxation, particularly partnership, S corporation, and individual taxation.
• Extensive experience serving closely held businesses, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex client engagements and a diverse client portfolio.
• Proven experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Strong client relationship management, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and deadlines while maintaining exceptional client service standards.

Preferred

• Experience in a Tax Director, Principal, Partner, or senior-level tax leadership role.
• Experience with multistate taxation, fiduciary taxation, and business succession planning.
• Proficiency with CCH ProSystem fx, Lacerte, or Ultra Tax.
• Demonstrated success in business development and practice growth initiatives.
• Experience managing engagement budgets, staffing, and profitability.
• Familiarity with tax technology, automation, and process improvement initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $225,000+ annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Harbor Accounting Group offers a competitive compensation package, including performance-based incentive opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits may include:

• Competitive base salary starting at $225,000
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership within a growing firm

Location

This position is based in our Syosset, New York office on Long Island.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Harbor Accounting Group is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.