Director - Trust & Estate

Overview

About PKF O’Connor Davies PKF O’Connor Davies is a top-ranked accounting, tax, and advisory firm with offices across the U.S. and internationally through our PKF global network. For over a century, we have built our reputation on deep industry expertise, a personalized approach, and a commitment to delivering real value to our clients.

Our mission is to provide exceptional service while fostering long-term relationships built on trust and integrity. We serve a diverse client base across industries and sectors, helping organizations and individuals navigate complex challenges with confidence. At PKF O’Connor Davies, culture is at the heart of who we are. We believe our team members are our greatest asset, and we invest in their growth and success through mentorship, professional development, and continuous learning opportunities.

Our goal is to foster a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued, innovation is encouraged, and team members can make an impact. We are also committed to supporting work–life balance, offering flexibility and resources to help our team members grow their careers while maintaining fulfilling personal lives.

If you are looking for a career where you can grow, contribute, and be part of a firm that values both excellence and community, PKF O’Connor Davies is the place for you!

We are seeking a Tax Director to join our growing Trust & Estate practice. This role provides technical leadership, client advisory services, and oversight of complex fiduciary, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax matters for high-net-worth individuals and families. The Director partners closely with firm leadership, attorneys, wealth advisors, and clients to deliver strategic planning and ensure compliance.

• Client Advisory & Technical Leadership:
  Serve as a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees, and executors
• Provide advanced estate, gift, trust, and wealth transfer planning, including GRATs, IDGTs, SLATs, charitable planning, and succession strategies
• Advise on fiduciary income tax planning and compliance (Forms 1041, 706, 709)
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local tax laws related to trusts and estates
• Review complex tax returns and planning deliverables to ensure technical accuracy

• Lead and develop the Trust & Estate practice, including identifying growth opportunities and expanding service offerings
• Participate in business development efforts, including proposal development, client presentations, and relationship building
• Collaborate with Partners to support cross-selling opportunities within the firm
• Stay current on legislative and regulatory changes impacting trusts and estates and communicate implications to clients and internal teams

• Mentor and develop staff and managers; provide technical guidance and performance feedback
• Oversee engagement planning, staffing, budgeting, and deadline management
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices within the group

• Work closely with attorneys, investment advisors, family offices, and internal tax teams
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary client solutions across tax, audit, advisory, and wealth services

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited college/university required
• Active CPA license or EA certification required
• MST, JD, or LLM in Taxation a plus
• 10+ years of progressive experience in public accounting with a strong focus on Trust & Estate taxation
• Deep technical knowledge of fiduciary income, estate, gift, and GST taxation
• Proven experience advising high-net-worth individuals and complex family structures
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and tax research platforms (e.g., CCH, BNA, RIA). Knowledge of Pro Systems FX preferred
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and mentor team members
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with executive presence
• Performing, documenting, summarizing, and reviewing research conclusions regarding specific tax issues
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and contribute to firm growth