ABOUT THE ROLE
A leading public accounting and advisory firm is seeking a Trust & Estates Tax Principal to join its Private Client practice. This senior leadership role provides strategic tax planning, compliance, and advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, and family offices. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor with deep technical expertise in fiduciary taxation, a strong track record of developing client relationships, and experience leading high-performing teams while contributing to business growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead complex trust, estate, gift, and fiduciary tax compliance engagements.
- Review federal and state estate, gift, and fiduciary tax returns, including Forms 706, 709, and 1041.
- Advise high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, and family offices on sophisticated wealth transfer and estate planning strategies.
- Provide guidance on complex trust and estate structures and resolve technical tax matters.
- Monitor changes in tax legislation and proactively identify planning opportunities for clients.
- Develop long-term client relationships while serving as a trusted strategic advisor.
- Advise clients on the tax implications of estate planning, philanthropy, investment structures, and family office matters.
- Mentor, coach, and develop tax professionals while fostering collaboration and technical excellence.
- Lead engagement planning, review work quality, and ensure timely delivery of client services.
- Partner with firm leadership on business development initiatives and practice growth.
- Represent the firm through networking, industry events, and professional organizations.
- Collaborate across service lines to deliver integrated tax and advisory solutions.
- Manage engagement risk through technical review and adherence to professional standards.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related field.
- CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) required.
- 12+ years of public accounting experience focused on trust, estate, and private client taxation.
- Extensive experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, and family offices.
- Deep knowledge of estate, gift, fiduciary, and individual taxation.
- Proven leadership experience managing complex client relationships and developing tax professionals.
- Strong expertise in wealth transfer planning and sophisticated estate planning strategies.
- Excellent technical research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Outstanding communication, relationship management, and business development abilities.
- Experience leading multiple engagements while maintaining exceptional client service and technical quality.