About this opportunity
Most Tax Managers are told partner is “a few years away” with no book, no date, and no plan. This role has all three.
An established middle-market CPA firm with multiple California offices is hiring a Tax Manager or Senior Tax Manager for its San Diego practice. The current partner is planning a phased transition toward retirement over the next 5–7 years - the person in this seat is the intended successor.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
You’ll take over a book built over nearly two decades made up of real estate partnerships, multi-state work, and high-net-worth individuals.
The partner wants to hand off relationships as well as workload. You’ll own engagements and work directly with clients from day one, and over time the relationships become yours.
The team is small today. Expect to review a lot yourself at first, then hire and build the group under you as the practice grows into a full succession.
WHY IT'S DIFFERENT:
- A real book to inherit. You won’t have to originate $1M from nothing to make partner.
- A defined timeline. The partner path has been discussed openly. It isn’t a vague promise.
- Independent ownership. No private equity. Partner equity here means a genuine ownership stake and a say in how the firm is run.
- Autonomy. You run your workflow and are judged on results, not supervised closely.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Active CPA license
- Around 7–10 years of tax experience, with confidence reviewing complex returns and leading client relationships
- Strong grounding in partnerships, real estate, multi-state, and HNW individual work
- The ambition to run a practice
- Based in, or committed to settling in, Southern California
- Big 4 experience welcome if it’s from HNW, real estate, or service-industry groups rather than large C-corp work
WHAT’S ON OFFER
- $180,000-$210,000 base + benefits
- Rapid progression to Director and then Partner over the next 5 years
- Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 remote, with flexibility for the right person, including hours adjusted around your commute
- A clear, discussed route to equity partner as the incumbent steps back
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