Tax Leader

About Ascend Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit  www.ascendtogether.com . The Opportunity BiggsKofford is seeking an experienced tax professional to become a key leader in our  Real Estate & Construction practice , with the opportunity to build upon an established client base and ultimately assume a significant partner leadership role within the firm. We are intentionally keeping the title flexible. The right candidate could currently be a  Senior Tax Manager, Director, Principal, or early-stage Partner . We are much more interested in finding the right person than fitting the opportunity into a predetermined title. This is not a position where someone will simply inherit a workload and review tax returns. We are looking for an entrepreneurial CPA who wants the opportunity to  lead and grow a practice . BiggsKofford has a long history and strong reputation serving Colorado’s  real estate developers, homebuilders, construction companies, contractors, landowners and real estate investors . That history has created a substantial existing base from which the successful candidate can develop an even larger Real Estate & Construction tax practice. Importantly, a legacy partner who has served many of these relationships is progressing toward retirement. This creates a natural succession opportunity for the right person to assume important client relationships while simultaneously building his or her own practice. For someone who wants to move beyond being one of many managers or partners in a large organization and instead become a recognized leader of a significant practice, we believe this is an unusual opportunity. Why BiggsKofford? BiggsKofford occupies a unique position in the Colorado CPA market. We have the technical sophistication and depth to serve substantial privately held businesses, while retaining the responsiveness, entrepreneurial culture and independence of a boutique firm. Our clients are often comparable in size and complexity to those served by regional and national CPA firms. However, many of Colorado’s largest  privately held real estate developers, homebuilders and construction companies  value working with an independent firm where senior professionals remain directly involved in their businesses. That creates a particularly compelling market position for BiggsKofford. As consolidation continues within the accounting profession, there are fewer sophisticated independent CPA firms capable of serving larger privately held companies. BiggsKofford intends to continue expanding within that segment of the market. Our offices in  Colorado Springs and the Denver Tech Center  provide access to opportunities throughout Colorado’s Front Range. We believe there is substantial untapped opportunity—from Southern Colorado through Denver and the surrounding communities—for the right individual to expand our Real Estate & Construction practice. There is no predefined ceiling on what this practice can become. What We Are Looking For The ideal candidate will combine strong tax technical skills with the personality and ambition of a business advisor and practice leader. We are particularly interested in someone who: Is a  CPA  with significant public accounting tax experience, generally 8+ years; Has meaningful experience serving  real estate, construction, homebuilding, development, or related privately held businesses ; Understands sophisticated closely held businesses and their owners; Can manage complex tax engagements involving partnerships, S corporations, individuals and other closely held entities; Enjoys tax planning and business consulting—not simply tax compliance; Is comfortable developing relationships directly with business owners, CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives; Has demonstrated an ability to lead, mentor and develop professional staff; Can become a trusted advisor whom clients call regarding business issues that extend beyond the tax return; Has the ability or desire to develop relationships with attorneys, bankers, investment advisors and other centers of influence; Thinks entrepreneurially about client service and business development; and Wants to become an important member of the leadership team of a growing CPA firm. An existing portable book of business is not necessarily required. Although if the candidate has existing relationships we would welcome the opportunity to consider the appropriate acquisition cost for that book of business. That said, we are more interested in finding someone with the ability, credibility and ambition to develop a significant practice when provided with an established platform, existing client relationships and the resources of BiggsKofford. More Than a Tax Compliance Role BiggsKofford’s approach to client service extends well beyond preparing tax returns. Our senior professionals are expected to understand the client’s business, identify opportunities, anticipate issues and work collaboratively across the firm’s service areas. The successful candidate should enjoy sitting across the table from an entrepreneur and discussing the broader financial and strategic issues affecting the company and its owners. The individual will ultimately be expected to: Serve as the primary relationship leader for a significant portfolio of Real Estate & Construction clients; Provide proactive tax plannin