Deputy Tax & Accounting Leader

Cynch AI

Deputy Tax & Accounting Leader managing complex client relationships and tax delivery at Aardvark Tax Advisors, an AI-native firm expanding its practice in California.

Posted 7/25/2026full-timeSanta Cruz • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $170,000 - $220,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in tax planning, compliance, and advisory services, with a strong focus on managing client relationships and developing tax professionals. Proficient in navigating complex tax regulations and delivering actionable guidance on legislative changes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Active CPA Or EA Credential12+ Years In Public Accounting Or TaxStrong Technical Knowledge Of Tax RegulationsProven Experience Managing Tax ProfessionalsProficiency In Professional Tax Software

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Tax PlanningTax ComplianceComplex Returns PreparationMulti-Entity PlanningClient Relationship Management

Soft Skills

LeadershipMentoringDirect FeedbackAccountability

Tools & Technologies

UltraTaxAxcess TaxLacerte

Certifications & Qualifications

CPAEA

Industry Keywords

Public AccountingTax AdvisoryTax Risk ManagementLegislative ChangesClient Service Models

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own client relationships on complex tax matters, including planning, compliance, and consulting, and be the person clients call when something is urgent or complicated.
Play a key leadership role in the integration of acquired firms, 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 jurisdictions.
Deliver tax planning that goes beyond compliance; identify savings, restructure positions, and advise clients on the impact of legislative changes.
Stay current on legislative changes and preemptively translate them into specific, actionable guidance.
Ensure every return that leaves the practice meets the standard youʼd put your own name on.
Lead, mentor, and develop managers and tax professionals across the practice. Set expectations, give direct feedback, and hold people accountable.
Partner with the Head of Tax on performance evaluations that are specific and useful. Know where the team is strong and where it isnʼt, and build the training and processes to close those gaps.
Help shape the direction of the practice while identifying opportunities to expand services with existing clients where the value is real.
Monitor and manage tax risk for the practice and for clients. Positions taken should be defensible. Full stop.
When the same issue keeps showing up across returns or clients, fix the entire process.
Partner 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

What you’ll need

An active CPA or EA credential.
12+ years in public accounting or tax, with real depth in compliance, planning, and advisory across individuals, partnerships, and small-business entities.
Proven experience managing and developing tax professionals—not just assigning work, but building people.
Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations, including complex returns and multi-entity planning.
Direct client relationship experience. Youʼve managed a book of business, juggled competing deadlines, and kept clients informed.
Proficiency in professional tax software (UltraTax, Axcess Tax, Lacerte, or similar).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical
Dental
Vision
401k with match
Basic Life
LTD