Tax Leader- Employee Benefits Group

What Work You Will Be Responsible For

• Lead and grow the Employee Benefits tax practice, including service delivery, practice development, and talent development.
• Establish the practice’s technical standards, methodologies, and internal quality review processes.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to expand service offerings and strengthen market presence within executive compensation and benefits advisory.
• Serve as the firm’s senior technical authority on:
• Section 457 plans for tax-exempt and governmental entities, including 457(b) and 457(f) plan design, taxation, and vesting rules.
• Section 409A compliance for non-qualified deferred compensation plans, including plan design, operational compliance, valuation requirements, and corrections.
• Section 83(b) implications for restricted stock and equity awards, including election timing, tax consequences, and employer reporting obligations.
• Advise clients on the tax implications of executive compensation arrangements, equity incentives, severance programs, bonuses, and complex compensation packages.
• Provide guidance on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, and fringe benefits.
• Deliver technical reviews of benefit plan documents, agreements, and tax filings.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, including middle-market businesses, private equity-backed firms, and tax-exempt organizations.
• Provide proactive recommendations to clients regarding compensation structuring, tax risk mitigation, and compliance strategies.
• Review and advise on compensation arrangements during corporate transactions, including M&A due diligence and integration.
• Provide guidance to colleagues and clients for reporting on benefit-related tax filings, including:
• Form W-2 reporting of deferred compensation and equity awards
• Section 409A reporting
• Section 83(b) elections and employer recordkeeping
• Section 457(b)/(f) plan reporting

Basic Qualifications

• CPA, JD, or LL.M. in Taxation is required.
• 10+ years of experience in employee benefits taxation, executive compensation, and deferred compensation planning.
• Deep expertise in Sections 409A, 83(b), and 457, including plan document review, tax, and operational compliance.
• Prior experience leading a tax group or serving in a senior technical role within a public accounting firm or law firm.
• Strong understanding of ERISA, payroll tax reporting rules, and benefit-related reporting requirements.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to convey complex tax rules to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated business development capability and experience managing client relationships.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 280G and 162 (m) knowledge is a plus.