Tax Principal - Real Estate
SR Staffing, los angeles, ca, United States
A highly respected public accounting firm serving UHNW/HNW individuals and sophisticated real estate investors is seeking a Tax Principal (Non‑Equity Partner) to step into a critical leadership role within its real estate tax practice. This opening is driven by a planned Partner retirement in June , creating a clear, near‑term succession opportunity for a technically elite tax professional.
This role is deeply technical and execution‑focused . The firm is specifically seeking someone who thrives in complex tax preparation and intensive review , not someone removed from the work. The Tax Principal will be directly responsible for overseeing—and personally reviewing—highly complex real estate, partnership, trust, and individual returns.
The firm completes 3,000+ returns annually and operates in a collaborative, high‑accountability environment. While remote flexibility exists, success in this role requires strong communication skills and a willingness to stay closely involved with both the work and the team.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
- Defined path to Equity Partner tied to an upcoming Partner retirement
- True leadership seat within a highly specialized real estate tax practice
- Role requires deep technical prep and review , not just client oversight
- Stable firm with low turnover and a strong, collaborative culture
- Competitive compensation with structured equity vesting
The Role: Technical Leadership & Heavy Review
This is a hands‑on Tax Principal role requiring advanced technical judgment and comfort reviewing highly complicated returns. The right candidate will be relied upon as the final technical authority on complex matters.
You will:
- Lead technical review of complex real estate and partnership returns
- Serve as the go‑to expert for difficult tax positions and structuring issues
- Support and mentor senior managers and managers on high‑level prep and review
- Work directly with UHNW/HNW clients on complex tax matters and controversy issues
- Play an integral role in succession planning and long‑term practice leadership
Core Technical Requirements
- Complex partnership return review
- 1031 exchanges
- Debt‑financed distributions
- Step‑ups in basis and transactional structuring
- Form 706 (estate tax returns)
- Form 709 (gift tax returns)
- Interaction between estate planning and real estate holdings
Individual Tax (Complex 1040s)
- UHNW individual returns with layered partnership, trust, and real estate income
- Reviewing returns with significant K‑1 activity and multi‑state exposure
Tax Controversy
- IRS and state notices
- Audit support and resolution
- Technical responses and representation
Candidate Profile
- 10+ years of public accounting tax experience
- Demonstrated depth in real estate and partnership taxation
- Proven ability to review highly complex returns independently
- Comfortable being hands‑on with prep and review when needed
- Stable career history with progressive responsibility
- Collaborative leadership style; effective with partially remote teams
- Southern California presence preferred , but strong remote candidates encouraged
Compensation & Vesting
- Bonus: Discretionary, paid twice annually (May & January)
- Bonus structure discussed transparently during interviews
- Equity Vesting: 3‑year schedule (fully vested at 3 years)