Director of Tax and Accounting

Aardvark Tax Advisors is a full-service tax, accounting, and advisory firm serving small businesses and entrepreneurs. We're the accounting and client services practice of Cynch AI. We're growing fast. As the accounting profession faces a growing succession challenge, we're partnering with retiring practitioners and thoughtfully bringing their clients into Aardvark, preserving the trusted relationships and personal service those clients value. We use proprietary AI to amplify your expertise while always deferring to your judgment. By shifting routine work to AI, Cynch's platform gives our accounting and tax teams more time for complex problem-solving, proactive planning, and building client relationships that last. We're looking for a Director of Tax and Accounting to serve as a senior leader in our growing practice. Working closely with our Head of Tax, you'll own complex engagements while leading the people, quality, and operating cadence. That means working across entity types, delivering planning that goes beyond compliance, and developing the people doing the work. This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll remain close to clients and complex work while taking meaningful ownership of how the broader practice operates, develops, and scales. The role is hybrid, based out of our Cupertino, Pleasanton, or Santa Cruz offices, with additional potential work locations in the North Bay. What Youʼll Do Client Relationships & Tax Delivery Own client relationships on complex tax matters, including planning, compliance, and consulting, and be the person clients call when something is urgent or complicatedPlay a key leadership role in the integration of new books of business, aligning tax operations, client service models, teams, and best practices to ensure a seamless transition Lead the preparation and review of complex returns for corporations, partnerships, individuals, trusts, and estates across federal, state, and local jurisdictionsDeliver tax planning that goes beyond compliance; identify savings, restructure positions, and advise clients on the impact of legislative changesStay current on legislative changes and preemptively translate them into specific, actionable guidanceEnsure every return that leaves the practice meets the standard youʼd put your own name onProvide senior-level oversight across accounting and advisory engagements for small-business clients, ensuring the same standards of accuracy, judgment, and client service exist across the broader practice. Team Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop managers and team members. Set expectations, give direct feedback, and hold people accountableLead performance evaluations that are specific and useful. Know where the team is strong and where it isnʼt, and build the training needed to close those gapsManage capacity, priorities, and operating cadence across the practice, particularly during periods of peak client demandServe as a senior escalation point for managers when client, technical, or delivery issues require additional expertise Practice Development & Quality Help shape the direction of the practice while identifying opportunities to expand services with existing clients where the value is realMonitor and manage tax risk for the practice and for clients. Positions taken should be defensible. Full stopWhen the same issue keeps showing up across returns or clients, fix the entire processPartner with technology, product, and the Head of Tax to translate tax delivery problems into practical platform improvements. You donʼt need to write code; you need to articulate whatʼs broken and what fixed looks like Requirements Core Qualifications Active CPA or EA required12+ years in public accounting or tax, with substantial hands-on experience serving individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses across compliance, planning, and advisoryProven experience managing and developing tax and accounting professionalsStrong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations, including complex returns and multi-entity planningDirect client relationship experience. Youʼve managed a book of business, juggled competing deadlines, and kept clients informedProficiency in professional tax software (UltraTax, Axcess Tax, Lacerte, or similar) What Will Make You Effective Brings sound judgment to ambiguous situations and doesn't let details slipCommunicates clearly across clients, colleagues, and technical partners without losing anything in translationComfortable in an environment where not everything is figured out yet Preferred Masterʼs degree in Taxation, Business Administration, or a related fieldTrack record of growing client relationships and expanding practice areas through business development. Work Environment Hybrid: Santa Cruz, Cupertino, or Pleasanton, CA, North BayExtended hours during peak tax season and as needed to meet client deadlinesOccasional travel for client meetings or practice eventsCalifornia Salary Range: $170,000 - $220,000 Benefits MedicalDentalVision401k with matchBasic LifeLTD