Vice President, Tax Advisory Group

VICE PRESIDENT Tax Advisory Group
Dopkins & Company, LLP Buffalo, NY

View the full position profile: HERE

Catapult has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Dopkins & Company, LLP

THE OPPORTUNITY

Dopkins & Company, LLP is seeking an accomplished tax leader to serve as Vice President of its Tax Advisory Group.

This opportunity comes at an important point in the evolution of the practice as Dopkins invests in the next generation of leaders who will help steward client relationships, develop emerging talent, contribute to practice growth, and influence the future of the firm.

Dopkins has built a strong tax practice supported by an established client base, talented professionals, and a culture that has historically developed leaders from within. The firm has intentionally invested in developing its internal talent pipeline while also recognizing the opportunity to add experienced leaders who can bring additional perspective, relationships, and leadership capacity to the team.

Dopkins is looking for leaders, not simply experienced tax practitioners. Technical capability is essential, but the individuals who will be most successful will also be:

• Curious about their clients' businesses
• Energized by relationships
• Comfortable assuming accountability for outcomes
• Leaders focused on developing people
• Motivated by the opportunity to help build and shape the future of the practice.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1955, Dopkins & Company, LLP is a locally owned, independent certified public accounting and consulting firm serving businesses, exempt organizations, and individuals throughout Western New York and beyond. The firm has evolved from a traditional accounting practice into a diversified professional services organization offering tax, assurance, business consulting, transaction advisory, forensic accounting, valuation, wealth management-related services, and other specialized capabilities.

Its client base spans a variety of industries, with particularly meaningful relationships among closely held and family-owned businesses, privately held and publicly-traded companies and health and human service organizations.

Dopkins is committed to remain locally rooted and independently owned while expanding the resources available to its professionals and clients through membership in the Aprio Alliance, a national network of independent CPA and professional services firms. The Alliance provides access to specialized technical expertise, national peer relationships, benchmarking, training, leadership development, and broader referral capabilities, allowing Dopkins to maintain its independence while accessing national-caliber resources.

THE DOPKINS DIFFERENCE

One of Dopkins' strongest differentiators is it’s One Firm culture.

Rather than a focus on individual books of business, Dopkins brings the best resources of the firm to each client. Client relationships are supported by teams, professionals collaborate across specialties, and leaders are expected to identify what a client needs and connect them with the right expertise, regardless of where that expertise resides within the organization.

This philosophy has meaningful implications for a senior leader joining the firm. Success is not defined solely by individual production. Leaders are expected to own outcomes for their clients while simultaneously collaborating across the firm, developing colleagues, generating opportunities for others, and contributing to the collective success of Dopkins.

OVERVIEW OF TAX LEADER POSITIONS

Senior tax leaders at Dopkins serve at the intersection of technical expertise, client leadership, people development, business growth, and firm leadership.

These individuals will manage and deepen relationships with a portfolio of clients, serve as trusted advisors to business owners and organizational leaders, guide tax planning and compliance engagements, identify opportunities to provide broader value, develop members of the tax team, and contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the practice.

KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Leadership & Strategic Advisory

• Build, manage, and deepen trusted relationships with clients, developing a comprehensive understanding of their businesses, ownership structures, goals, challenges, and broader financial considerations.
• Serve as a client service coordinator with accountability for the overall client experience, engaging the appropriate Dopkins resources and expertise to address needs beyond an individual tax engagement.
• Move beyond a compliance-focused relationship by proactively identifying planning opportunities, business issues, risks, and strategic considerations where Dopkins can add value.
• Engage directly and confidently with business owners, executives, boards, and other senior decision-makers while demonstrating sound judgment, responsiveness, credibility, and a genuine interest in helping clients succeed.
• Assume responsibility for client deliverables, service quality, risk management, and the coordination of work across engagement teams.

POSITION OVERVIEW

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop tax professionals at varying stages of their careers, helping them expand their technical skills, confidence, client capabilities, and leadership readiness.
• Provide meaningful feedback, establish clear expectations, delegate effectively, and create opportunities for emerging professionals to assume greater responsibility.
• Help identify and intentionally develop future leaders within the Tax Advisory Group.
• Model the collaborative behaviors expected within Dopkins' One Firm culture, sharing knowledge and resources and supporting colleagues across teams and disciplines.

Practice Growth & Market Presence

• Contribute to the continued growth of the Tax Advisory Group by identifying opportunities to expand relationships with existing clients and develop new relationships in the marketplace.
• Build credibility and visibility within the business community through networking, Centers of Influence, professional relationships, community involvement, and other market-facing activities.
• Develop a reputation as a trusted advisor and represent Dopkins in a manner that strengthens the firm's brand and relationships.
• Demonstrate curiosity about client organizations and actively identify opportunities to connect clients with additional Dopkins capabilities.

Firm & Practice Leadership

• Contribute ideas and perspective to the continued development of the Tax Advisory Group, including strategy, processes, talent, client service, technology, and growth initiatives.
• Participate in leadership initiatives and strategic discussions appropriate to level and experience.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take ownership—not only of individual client relationships, but of the broader success of the tax practice and Dopkins.
• Support firmwide initiatives and collaborate across tax, assurance, consulting, advisory, and other disciplines consistent with Dopkins' One Firm philosophy.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Candidates should bring progressive tax experience and the technical capability necessary to advise sophisticated clients, combined with a demonstrated interest in expanding beyond technical execution into broader client, people, and business leadership.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or a related field required. CPA designation required. Advanced education or credentials, including a Master’s in Taxation or Accounting is valued but not required.
• Progressive professional experience in taxation, including within public accounting or another environment providing exposure to complex client relationships.
• Strong technical tax knowledge and the ability to apply that expertise practically to client circumstances.
• Experience building meaningful client relationships and communicating directly with owners, executives, and other senior decision-makers.
• The ability and desire to move beyond tax compliance and function as a strategic advisor.
• Experience leading engagements, coordinating resources, and accepting accountability for client outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop less-experienced professionals.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, critical-thinking, and business judgment skills.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to share clients, opportunities, knowledge, and resources across the firm.
• Curiosity about clients' businesses and the ability to recognize needs and opportunities beyond an immediate tax assignment.
• Interest in contributing to practice growth through relationship development, expanded client services, networking, community involvement, and/or business development.
• High standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, and accountability.

VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President opportunity is designed for a seasoned tax leader who can immediately assume a broader role in client, people, practice, and firm leadership.

Approximately 12-15 years of progressive tax experience, preferably within public accounting, with demonstrated success leading significant client relationships, serving as a strategic advisor, developing professionals, contributing to business development and practice growth, and influencing practice or firm-level initiatives.

Candidates at this level should bring a demonstrated record of owning and growing client relationships; serving as a strategic advisor to business owners and senior executives; developing other professionals and leaders; contributing to business development and practice growth; and influencing decisions beyond their individual portfolio of work.

A Vice President should be prepared to contribute meaningfully to the leadership and future direction of the Tax Advisory Group, participate in broader firm initiatives, help develop the next generation of Dopkins leaders, and represent the firm externally in the business community. They should be capable and demonstrated their ability to own relationships and create growth, with a “One Firm” mentality.

LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Relationship-oriented. They genuinely enjoy clients and people, seek to understand what matters to them, and build trust over time.
• Ownership-minded. They take responsibility for outcomes and do not wait for someone else to identify what needs to happen.
• Collaborative. They are comfortable bringing others into relationships and believe the best client solution matters more than individual ownership or credit.
• Entrepreneurial. They see possibilities, identify opportunities, and want the ability to influence how a practice and firm grow.
• Curious. They ask questions about the client's business rather than limiting conversations to the tax return or immediate assignment.
• Confident without ego. They have the credibility and presence to advise sophisticated clients while operating successfully within a humble, team-oriented culture.
• Development-oriented. They derive satisfaction from coaching others, sharing knowledge, and helping emerging professionals become stronger.
• Community-minded. They are willing to represent Dopkins externally, build relationships, and become active participants in the business community.
• Motivated and accountable. They understand the demands of public accounting and are energized by the opportunity and responsibility that accompany leadership.

COMPENSATION & WORK LOCATION

The anticipated base salary range for the Vice President is $200,000-$225,000.

Salary is commensurate with the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and level of responsibility. The position also includes the opportunity for additional incentive compensation based on individual and firm performance, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

These roles are expected to be based on-site in Buffalo, New York, supporting close collaboration with clients, colleagues, and firm leadership.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Dopkins is an equal opportunity employer and, in accordance with all applicable laws, prohibits discrimination against applicants and employees based on race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, or any other category protected by law.