Tax Director

Tax Director - Lead the Tax Practice, Shape the Firm

Elm Grove, WI

You’re not looking for another busy season. You’re looking for a seat at the table where you set direction, elevate the work, and become the go‑to strategic tax voice for closely held businesses and their owners.

In this Tax Director role, you’ll lead the entire tax practice for a full-service firm that serves manufacturers, real estate and construction companies, and professional services clients. You’ll set strategy, drive execution, and be the trusted advisor clients call before they make big moves.

You’ll build and develop a high-performing tax team, tighten processes, and partner directly with firm leadership on growth, quality, and profitability.

If you’re a CPA tax leader who loves complex work, leading people, and shaping a department—not just managing files—we should talk.

You’ll sit at the center of the firm’s tax strategy, operations, and client relationships:

• Tax department strategy, structure, and financial performance
• Complex individual, business, partnership, and pass-through tax engagements
• Proactive tax planning and consulting for closely held and middle‑market clients
• Firmwide tax processes, workflows, and engagement delivery
• Cross‑functional collaboration with other service lines
• Client experience and long‑term advisory relationships
• Tax research, regulatory and industry trend monitoring
• Department KPIs, budgeting, and P&L performance

You’ll leverage Microsoft Office, tax software platforms, and, ideally, Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite to deliver work that’s accurate, efficient, and highly valued.

This is where technical excellence meets true practice leadership.

• Leading the Tax department to support firm growth, profitability, and long‑term strategic goals
• Driving an exceptional client experience through proactive tax planning and responsive, high‑quality guidance
• Building, developing, and retaining a strong Tax team through coaching, accountability, and professional development
• Creating and refining efficient tax processes and workflows that support timely, accurate engagement delivery
• Overseeing daily workflow, engagement assignments, and department capacity planning
• Monitoring department performance and KPIs, and implementing improvements in quality, efficiency, and consistency
• Interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and mentoring tax professionals at all levels
• Conducting performance evaluations and providing timely, constructive feedback
• Researching federal and state tax law developments and clearly communicating implications to clients and internal teams
• Serving as strategic tax advisor for key clients and maintaining trusted relationships with business owners and individuals
• Leading and reviewing complex returns for individuals, businesses, partnerships, and pass‑through entities
• Driving business development through networking, thought leadership, and market visibility while representing the firm at client and industry events
• Collaborating with other service lines to deliver integrated solutions and identify cross‑selling opportunities
• Supporting annual and quarterly budgeting, financial planning, and achievement of department P&L goals

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field
• Active CPA license
• Minimum of 10 years of public accounting tax experience with progressive leadership responsibility
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state tax rules, planning strategies, and tax research
• Significant experience reviewing and managing complex business and individual tax returns
• Experience advising closely held businesses and middle‑market clients preferred
• Proven ability to mentor, influence, and develop high‑performing professionals
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially explaining complex tax matters clearly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and tax software platforms; experience with Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite preferred