Senior Tax Associate

Most senior associates don't move because they're unhappy. They move because they've done the math on how long the manager seat is going to take where they are, and the answer is too long.

If that's landed with you recently, keep reading.

An independent CPA firm in San Diego is hiring a Senior Tax Associate.

Independent means what it says. No private equity, no sale process, no consolidation. What they do have is an ambitious five year organic growth plan, which is the version of growth that creates manager seats.

The San Diego office runs its own book of around 700 returns, and you'd also work with the wider tax team across a few other California offices. Partner access here is genuinely unusual, and retention reflects that. People are given a reason to stay.

• Preparing the complex returns, reviewing the more straightforward ones. That mix is deliberate as it's the step that gets you to manager.
• Real estate partnerships and closely held businesses at the core, with S-corps, HNW individuals and multi-state alongside.
• Direct client contact from the start, not rationed out over three years.
• Autonomy over how you run your work. The Tax Partner leads with trust rather than oversight.

• 3 to 7 years in public accounting, tax focused
• CPA licensed
• Strong on partnerships and pass-throughs. Real estate exposure helps, but isn't a prerequisite.
• Some review experience, and the appetite to mentor and develop juniors
• Based in San Diego or within commuting distance 2-3 days a week

• Seniors at national or PE-backed firms who want the breadth back in their day to day rather than being specialized into a corner
• Anyone who's noticed the partner they report to is now three levels away and getting further
• People who want the reviewer seat this year, not on a five year timeline someone else controls

flexible hybrid arrangement - 2-3 days in office a week. Core hours 10 to 3, with a realistic view of San Diego traffic. Busy season is 50 to 55 hours, closer to 60 at the peak.

they'll do informal conversations this side of busy season for the right people. No process or pressure, just a look at whether it's worth pursuing. And if you're not planning to move until after October, that's completely fine. Better to have the conversation now than start from zero in November.

We work with a range of independent CPA firms across California (San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, LA) and we're regularly placing at Senior Associate, Manager and Senior Manager level across tax disciplines.