Head of Tax

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Head of Tax is the subject matter expert and accountable leader for Arcadia's tax practice, responsible for the technical quality, day-to-day execution, people leadership, workflow discipline, and client delivery of the function. Executive leadership establishes the broader strategic direction for Tax; the Head of Tax reports to the Director of Operations and brings the tax-practice expertise required to execute that direction, operate the function, develop the team, and maintain a high standard of technical and operational performance.
Arcadia's tax practice is primarily focused on individual income tax returns, with a smaller volume of small-business and related entity returns. Most returns are intermediate in complexity, with a limited number of more complex matters. The Head of Tax must have substantial hands‑on tax preparation and review experience and enough depth to independently resolve technical questions, review complex work, and step into preparation when necessary.

This position partners closely with Arcadia's Financial Planners, who own the broader advisory relationship and proactive client tax-planning process. Tax provides preparation, technical expertise, execution, and collaboration on strategies developed with Planning.

• Own the day-to-day operation of the tax practice, including workflow, return status, deadlines, extensions, client assignments, reviewer capacity, and escalation of risks.
• Establish clear operating expectations, process discipline, documentation standards, and accountability across the tax team.
• Maintain visibility into workload, capacity, open items, client commitments, and filing requirements and surface concerns early.
• Own successful filing‑season execution and ensure the department is prepared, organized, and appropriately resourced throughout peak periods.

• Serve as Arcadia's primary tax subject matter expert for the preparation and review of individual and small-business tax returns.
• Review returns for technical accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance; prepare returns directly when needed to support bandwidth, resolve difficult matters, or maintain technical involvement.
• Research and resolve federal and state tax questions and provide practical technical guidance to team members and clients.
• Establish and maintain effective review and quality-control standards; identify recurring errors or root causes and translate findings into process or training improvements.

• Lead, coach, develop, and hold tax team members accountable for quality, productivity, communication, deadlines, and follow-through.
• Assess technical capabilities and skill gaps, provide timely feedback, and coordinate training and development to strengthen the team's performance over time.
• Delegate work based on complexity, experience, and capacity while maintaining clear ownership and review expectations.
• Address performance or execution concerns directly and partner with the Director of Operations and People team when additional support or formal accountability is needed.

• Communicate confidently and professionally with tax clients, including difficult, disappointing, or technically complex conversations.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for client questions, notices, errors, or service concerns and ensure issues are resolved with appropriate urgency and ownership.
• Collaborate with Arcadia's Financial Planners, who own the client advisory relationship and proactive tax-planning process, by providing technical tax expertise and execution support.
• Evaluate AFG-generated tax…