West Des Moines
Job Description Director – Tax Position Summary The Tax Director is a senior leadership role responsible for serving as the primary relationship manager and trusted advisor for a portfolio of clients while providing strategic tax planning, consulting, and oversight of complex tax engagements. This is a highly client-facing position focused on building long-term relationships, delivering exceptional service, and helping clients achieve their business and financial objectives. In addition to leading engagements and mentoring team members, the Director plays a key role in the firm's continued growth through business development, client retention, and leadership initiatives. This position offers a clearly defined path to Partner for individuals who demonstrate exceptional client leadership, technical expertise, business development success, and alignment with the firm's values. The ideal candidate is an experienced public accounting professional with outstanding relationship-building skills, strong business acumen, and a passion for developing people while delivering exceptional client service. Key Responsibilities Client Leadership & Business Advisory • Serve as the primary relationship manager and trusted advisor for a portfolio of business and individual tax clients., • Build and maintain long-term client relationships by providing proactive communication, strategic tax planning, and practical business advice., • Meet regularly with clients to understand their goals, identify opportunities, and provide value beyond tax compliance., • Deliver a high-touch client experience while serving as the firm's lead point of contact for assigned relationships., • Identify opportunities to expand services and collaborate across the firm to meet evolving client needs., • Participate in networking, referral development, and business development activities that contribute to firm growth. Tax Leadership • Provide technical oversight and review of complex federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, S corporations, trusts, and nonprofit organizations., • Ensure technical accuracy and compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations., • Research complex tax issues and develop practical, client-focused recommendations., • Stay current on changes in tax legislation and industry developments to proactively advise clients. Team Leadership & Development • Lead, mentor, coach, and develop managers, seniors, staff accountants, and interns., • Delegate work effectively while providing guidance, technical support, and professional development., • Review work product and provide timely, constructive feedback., • Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, succession planning, and performance evaluations., • Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture. Engagement & Practice Management • Oversee multiple client engagements while ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently achieved., • Collaborate with Partners, Directors, Managers, and staff to effectively manage workflow and staffing., • Communicate project status, priorities, and resource needs across teams., • Drive continuous improvement in engagement management, processes, and client service delivery. Firm Leadership • Participate in strategic planning and firm leadership initiatives., • Help shape the future growth of the tax practice through innovation, process improvement, and talent development., • Represent the firm within the business community and professional organizations., • Champion the firm's culture of collaboration, responsiveness, and client service excellence. Partner Track Opportunity This position is designed as a long-term leadership opportunity with a clear path toward Partner. Directors are expected to cultivate trusted client relationships, contribute to business development, mentor future leaders, and help drive the strategic growth of the firm. Individuals who consistently demonstrate leadership, client impact, practice growth, and alignment with the firm's culture will have the opportunity to advance into partnership. Qualifications Required • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field., • Minimum of 10 years of progressive tax experience in public accounting., • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing tax professionals., • Extensive experience serving as the primary advisor and relationship manager for business clients., • Strong technical expertise reviewing complex tax returns across multiple entity types., • Demonstrated success managing multiple client engagements and competing priorities., • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills., • Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving abilities., • Proven ability to build trusted client relationships and deliver exceptional client service. CPA license is not required. Candidates with significant public accounting experience and demonstrated technical expertise are strongly encouraged to apply. Preferred • Master's degree in Taxation, Accounting, or a related discipline., • Experience providing strategic tax planning and consulting services., • Experience with tax preparation and workflow management software., • Demonstrated success in business development, client retention, or practice growth. Support & Resources To maximize client service and leadership effectiveness, the Tax Director is supported by an Executive Assistant who provides administrative assistance with scheduling, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, document management, and other operational responsibilities, allowing the Director to focus on client relationships, team leadership, and strategic initiatives. Core Competencies • Executive Client Relationship Management, • Strategic Tax Planning & Consulting, • Leadership & Team Development, • Business Development, • Practice Growth, • Tax Technical Expertise, • Strategic Thinking, • Project Management, • Communication & Collaboration, • Professional Judgment, • Accountability Success in This Role Success as a Tax Director is measured first by the strength of client relationships. The ideal candidate becomes a trusted advisor clients rely on for strategic guidance while consistently delivering exceptional service and technical excellence. They develop future leaders, contribute to firm growth through referrals and business development, and demonstrate the leadership qualities expected of a future Partner. This individual is viewed not only as a technical expert, but as a relationship builder, firm ambassador, and key contributor to the long-term success of the practice. Company DescriptionAbout E&M, PLLC At E&M, PLLC, growth, exceptional client service, and an outstanding workplace culture go hand in hand. Founded in 2018, our firm has grown from a small team of five professionals to a thriving organization of more than 30 talented team members—and we're still growing. Our success is built on strong leadership, a commitment to delivering exceptional service, and a team that genuinely enjoys working together while supporting one another's success. We embrace a "work hard, play hard" philosophy. Every day, we strive to exceed our clients' expectations while fostering a collaborative, positive, and engaging work environment. We celebrate our accomplishments, encourage innovation, and invest in the professional and personal growth of our team members. Our culture is built on professionalism, accountability, integrity, and teamwork. We believe that when our employees thrive, our clients benefit. That's why we seek individuals who are driven, solution-oriented, and committed to continuous improvement. Most importantly, our clients are at the center of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being responsive, detail-oriented, and building long-term relationships based on trust, reliability, and exceptional service. If you're looking for an opportunity to become an integral part of a growing firm where your contributions are valued and your work makes a meaningful impact every day, we'd love to meet you.About E&M, PLLC\r\nAt E&M, PLLC, growth, exceptional client service, and an outstanding workplace culture go hand in hand.\r\nFounded in 2018, our firm has grown from a small team of five professionals to a thriving organization of more than 30 talented team members—and we're still growing. Our success is built on strong leadership, a commitment to delivering exceptional service, and a team that genuinely enjoys working together while supporting one another's success.\r\n\r\nWe embrace a "work hard, play hard" philosophy. Every day, we strive to exceed our clients' expectations while fostering a collaborative, positive, and engaging work environment. We celebrate our accomplishments, encourage innovation, and invest in the professional and personal growth of our team members.\r\n\r\nOur culture is built on professionalism, accountability, integrity, and teamwork. We believe that when our employees thrive, our clients benefit. That's why we seek individuals who are driven, solution-oriented, and committed to continuous improvement.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, our clients are at the center of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being responsive, detail-oriented, and building long-term relationships based on trust, reliability, and exceptional service.\r\nIf you're looking for an opportunity to become an integral part of a growing firm where your contributions are valued and your work makes a meaningful impact every day, we'd love to meet you.