Financial Services Tax Principal

Job Description:

Withum is currently looking for an exceptional professional to build out and Lead a Financial Services Practice within the San Francisco area. This individual will serve as a strategic and tactical leader, contributing to the local and national go-to-market strategy of the group. This professional will be directly responsible for developing the local team, executing on strategy, representing the Firm’s brand in local markets, overseeing quality of practice and integrating the local team into the national group. This includes collaborating with local office, region, industry and national leadership for successful SF market penetration ensuring the SF Financial Services ecosystem is aware of the full suite of services our firm has to offer. 

This will be a high-profile leadership level role within the Firm. This individual will coordinate with numerous firm resources to develop and execute their geographic/market specific contribution to the national growth strategy. This is a leadership role first and a technical discipline role second.

We seek a thoughtful professional that is driven, has high EQ, as well as IQ, and knows the appropriate services to offer our clients and prospects in the CP market regardless of what stage in their life cycle they are in.

How You’ll Spend Your Time:

• Driving Financial Services tax practice growth by achieving revenue targets, expanding tax team headcount, and strengthening key ecosystem, referral, and alliance relationships

• Serving as a focal point for collaboration, coordination, and communication across the local tax team and the national Financial Services Tax practice

• Identifying and leading coordinated, cross‑functional teams to pursue Financial Services tax opportunities within the San Francisco marketplace

• Overseeing and evaluating key organizational tax‑focused sponsorships, affiliations, and strategic industry partnerships

• Actively participating in national Tax and Financial Services strategy sessions, marketing calls, and market‑facing events

• Partnering with industry and service line engagement teams to ensure the appropriate tax expertise, resources, and deliverables are provided to Financial Services clients

• Maintaining a strong understanding of clients’ tax positions, organizational structures, leadership, activities, risks, and challenges to proactively support their needs

• Providing visible tax thought leadership within the San Francisco Financial Services market

• Actively contributing to tax, industry, and service line leadership by sharing perspective on tax trends, growth opportunities, and challenges impacting Withum in the Financial Services marketplace

The Kind of People We Want to Talk to Have Many of The Following:

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting or finance from an accredited institution, is required. An MBA is a plus

• CPA, JD, LLM, or MST required

• Minimum of 8+ years of professional services experience required

• Minimum 5 years industry knowledge within the DS sector required

• Partner / Senior Manager from a Top 50 CPA Firm is a plus

• Demonstrated strategic leadership. Defining market opportunities, creating a strategic plan, process and deployment capabilities

• Demonstrated process creation.  Adept at developing and deploying best of breed business development and relationship management practices

• Outstanding multitasking skills and organization

• Strong verbal, writing and presentation skills a must.

• Strong leadership skills. Demonstrate ability to set strategy and lead a team of professionals in a variety of capacities and different position responsibilities

• Project management. Must demonstrate ability to manage time, multi-task, and meet deadlines for themselves and their firm team members

• Tangible and demonstrated experience in formal sales process deployment, use and training

• Ability to adhere to an environment of accountability and responsibility – no excuses

• Ability to constructively monitor, formally (CRM) and informally (personal interaction) personal and client account performance

• Creative problem solving & conflict resolution

• Attentiveness to detail

• Outgoing personality and self-starter

• Outstanding relationship management skills and personal networking skills are essential

Who You Will Report to and the Compensation:

• Reports directly to the National Financial Services Leader

• Reports indirectly to the SFO Partner – in - Charge

The compensation for this position ranges from $200,000 – $250,000 for our San Francisco office. In addition to the base compensation, Withum offers a competitive benefits package and bonus program (for eligible roles) based on individual and firm performance. Final offer amounts are based on multiple factors such as the specific role, hiring location, as well as the individual’s skills, experience and qualifications. For additional information on our benefits, visit our website at https://www.withum.com/careers/.

#Hybrid; #LI-MM1

WithumSmith+Brown, PC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, (including pregnancy), genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, weight, height, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.