Tax Director (Advisory) (San Francisco)

Instead is a tax platform designed to help taxpayers and tax professionals collaborate to save money on taxes. As the first company in decades to receive IRS approvals to E-file 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S, and 1065 we're re-inventing a complex category. Founded in 2023, Instead combines LLMs with tax law to make tax management a continuous, proactive process rather than a dreaded annual deadline.

Instead's investors include Sarah Guo from Conviction (conviction.com), IRIS (irisglobal.com) the largest tax software provider in the UK and many of our partners and customers who believe in our mission and vision. The Instead team comprises talented leaders from leading tax, financial services and fintech companies Gusto, Intuit, Zenefits, Thomson Reuters, Wolters Kluwer as well as top tax & accounting firms such as PwC, BDO, RSM, and KPMG.

Instead was a 2024 Innovation Award Finalist in CPA Practice Advisor. Instead's CEO, Andrew Argue, is a CPA and has been named Top 100 Most Influential People in the Accounting Profession twice - Ones To Watch and CPA Practice Advisors 20 under 40.

About the role

Were seeking an experienced Tax Director to join our San Francisco office and lead the delivery of full-cycle tax advisory services. In this client-facing role, youll be the primary advisor guiding business owners through strategic tax planning, kickoff calls, implementation of tax-saving strategies, estimated tax calculations, and tax return filing.

This is not just compliance workour team goes beyond traditional tax preparation to help customers unlock meaningful savings and achieve long-term financial success. Youll collaborate with our U.S. and India teams, as well as our accounting firm partners, to deliver an exceptional end-to-end tax advisory experience.

What you'll do

• Host customer kickoff calls and serve as the primary point of contact throughout tax advisory engagements.
• Design, deliver, and explain personalized tax plans that highlight tax-saving opportunities.
• Guide customers through the implementation of strategies, ensuring smooth execution and measurable results utilizing Instead software.
• Calculate and prepare estimated tax payments, while proactively managing deadlines.
• Review and be the final signer of federal and multi-state returns (1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S, 1065 depending on your expertise).
• Research complex tax issues, prepare memos, and provide clients with clear guidance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless experience from planning through filing.
• Mentor and support staff members, helping build a strong advisory-driven tax team.

What you'll need

• CPA license active or in progress, or EA credential
• 35 years of public accounting experience with strong exposure to tax compliance and planning.
• Proficiency in preparing and reviewing returns for some or all of: 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S, 1065.
• Strong communication skills and confidence hosting client-facing meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Nice to have

• Background in multi-state tax compliance.
• Experience in strategic tax planning and advisory services beyond compliance.
• Familiarity with complex research and memo writing.
• Work on a cutting-edge tax tech platform that's transforming the industry
• Be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Gain hands-on exposure to complex tax issues across diverse industries
• Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for mentorship and upward mobility
• Opportunity to help taxpayers find tax savings through tax advisory services, going beyond compliance
• Opportunity to build lasting client relationships and make a meaningful impact on their financial outcomes
• Working with Instead, the first product in decades to receive IRS approval to e-file 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S, 1065.

Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V

As a global business, we rely on diversity of culture and thought to deliver on our goals. To ensure we can do that, we seek talented, qualified employees in all our operations around the world regardless of race, color, sex/gender, including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, citizen status, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law.

We trust our team with sensitive information, so all candidates who receive and accept employment offers must complete a background check before joining us.

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