Tax Director - West Coast (Client Development)

Why Work at Mercer Advisors?

For 40 years, Mercer Advisors has worked with families to help them amplify and simplify their financial lives. How? By integrating financial planning, investment management, tax, estate, insurance, and more, all managed by a single team. Today we proudly serve over 31,300 families in more than 90 cities across the U.S. Ranked the #1 RIA Firm in the nation by Barron’s, we are an independent, national fiduciary legally obligated to always act in the best interest of our clients.*

Mercer Advisors offers a distinct work environment that stands out in the financial industry. Our overall employee base and client-facing team are composed of 50% women, reflecting our commitment to diversity. We attract top talent from across the country, with no formal headquarters and flexible working arrangements, allowing us to assemble the best team possible.

Join us and be a part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the financial lives of families across the country.

* Mercer Advisors was ranked #1 for RIA firms with up to $70 billion in assets. The Barron’s top RIA ranking is based on a combination of metrics – including size, growth, service quality, technology, succession planning and others. No fee was paid for participation in the ranking, however, Mercer Advisors has paid a fee to Barron’s to use the ranking in marketing. Please see important information about the ranking criteria methodology here.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a Tax Director to join our Tax team to analyze and build tax planning strategies for our high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. The Tax group is a dedicated team of professionals who work in conjunction with our wealth advisors to provide tax compliance services to our HNW and UHNW clients. We are looking for someone who loves client service but does not enjoy the headaches of billable hours in a traditional public accounting firm. We offer a great work/life balance, a fun and supportive environment, and the chance to work directly with a wide variety of clients. We do not do audits or assurance work.

In addition, this role will partner closely with our Client Development team to support growth efforts by providing tax expertise in prospect conversations, client meetings, and relationship‑expansion opportunities. This includes identifying tax-related planning opportunities, participating in client development initiatives, and helping strengthen the firm’s value proposition during the sales process.

As a member of the Tax Team, the Tax Director is primarily responsible for leading client relationships, reviewing and delivering income tax returns, tax projections, and analysis for our clients. The Tax Director has a passion for client service with experience in individual, entity and complex tax preparation and review. The Tax Director is personable, demonstrates superior communication skills, and possesses the flexibility to multi-task in a fast-paced tax preparation environment.

Essential Job Functions for this role include:

• Research, analyze, and review individual, corporate and partnership tax returns for HNW and UHNW clients
• Lead a niche responsibility such as our UHNW client segmentation or highly complex tax law subject matter expertise
• Provide insight on clients’ current entity structures, family businesses, corporate tax issues and philanthropic strategies
• Review and analyze sophisticated models of wealth transfer and philanthropic strategies for clients, incorporating federal and state income and estate tax consequences
• Independently review and summarize planning documents (e.g., Irrevocable Trusts, operating agreements) to create an analysis of current planning strategies and provide feedback and recommendations
• Responsible for clear & concise communication with clients on all matters related to the delivery of income tax returns
• Work with tax staff to respond to tax notices and review of correspondence
• Assist with the advancement of technical knowledge and mentorship of less experienced tax team members
• Partner with the Client Development team by providing tax expertise for prospect meetings, proposals, presentations, and client retention initiatives
• Identify tax‑related opportunities that enhance client relationships and support the firm’s business development strategies
• Participate in client and prospect conversations to help articulate tax planning value and support overall client experience goals
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Minimum 10+ years of public accounting experience, or equivalent experience
• Advanced degree or designation required (e.g., CPA or JD, MS/LLM)
• Advanced tax code knowledge, application and accounting skills
• Experience with UltraTax and Sureprep a plus
• Highly organized and tax-oriented
• Ability to communicate concepts to clients and advisors in concise and understandable fashion
• Must be detail-oriented and have excellent time-management skills
• Team player, collaborative and able to work in concert with others
• Client first attitude including a passion for providing an excellent client experience
• Comfort participating in client development discussions and supporting relationship‑building efforts

Work Schedule:

This professional role requires availability during standard business hours of Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. At times, the role may have early or late hours to meet business tasks and deadlines for external and internal client needs.

All roles classified as a non-exempt are required to record working time into the timekeeping system daily at the start and end of each workday plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch period.

Working Conditions:

This position may be in a professional office environment or a dedicated home office workspace which is free of interruptions. Whether position is in a dedicated office space or home office workspace, basic technology needs will be provided to satisfy position requirements. Routinely sitting and standing for periods of time. No heavy lifting over 10 lbs.

Actual base pay within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the applicant’s geographic location, relevant experience, education, skills and licenses/certifications. This position is also eligible to earn incentive compensation through one of Mercer Advisors’ incentive compensation programs.

Pay Range
$170,000—$200,000 USD

Benefits:

Mercer Advisors offers a competitive and robust benefit package to our employees. Our benefit programs are focused on meeting all of our employees and their eligible dependents health and welfare needs. We offer the following:

• Company Paid Basic Life & AD&D Insurance

• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Supplemental Life & AD&D; Short-Term Disability; Accident; Critical Illness; and Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• Three medical plans offerings including two High Deductible Health Plans and a Traditional Co-Pay medical plan.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions on a per pay period basis if enrolled in either HDHP medical plan.

• Two comprehensive Dental Plans

• Vision Insurance Plan

• Dependent Care Savings Account for child and dependent care.

• 14 Company Paid Holidays with a full week off at Thanksgiving.

• Generous paid time off program for vacation and sick days

• Employee Assistance Plan

• Family Medical Leave

• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks)

• Maternity benefits utilizing company paid STD, any supplemental STD, plus Parental Leave (6 weeks) to provide time for recovery, baby bonding, and enjoying your family time.

• Adoption Assistance Reimbursement Program

• Company Paid Concierge Services for you and your loved ones for the spectrum of caring needs for your aging parents, young children, life’s challenges and more.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with both Traditional and Roth plans with per pay period match

• Pet Insurance

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting.

Mercer Advisors provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to age, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other characteristic protected by law in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Mercer Advisors provides equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and employee relations, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, demotion, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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