Audit & Assurance Partner

MDS Search
  • Chicago, IL
    1 day ago

    Job Description

    Job Description

    Job Description

    Position Title: Partner – Real Estate & Affordable Housing / LIHTC Practice

    Location: [City, State / Hybrid / Remote]

    Service Line: [Tax & Advisory / Assurance & Advisory]

    About the Role

    We are seeking an experienced and vision-driven Partner to lead and expand our Real Estate & Affordable Housing Practice Group. This executive leader will serve as a trusted strategic advisor to real estate developers, syndicators, institutional investors, and housing authorities.

    In this role, you will leverage your deep technical expertise in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), federal/state housing programs, and complex real estate transactions to drive practice growth, manage high-value client relationships, and mentor the next generation of leadership within the firm.

    Key Responsibilities

    1. Practice Growth & Strategic Leadership

    • Drive business development initiatives to expand the firm’s national footprint in affordable housing, community development, and commercial real estate.
    • Cultivate and maintain high-touch relationships with key industry stakeholders, including developers, state housing finance agencies (HFAs), syndicators, and lenders.
    • Represent the firm as a thought leader at national housing conferences, panels, and industry associations.

    2. Technical Advisory & Engagement Oversight

    • Lead complex advisory, tax structuring, or assurance engagements involving Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC).
    • Oversight of specialized reporting, including 10% Tests, Cost Certifications, Carryover Allocations, and HUD/RD compliance audits.
    • Advise clients on deal structuring, upper-tier and lower-tier partnership agreements, exit strategies, and Year 15 buyout transactions.
    • Ensure technical quality, risk management, and regulatory compliance across all practice deliverables.

    3. Team Mentorship & People Operations

    • Build, lead, and inspire a dedicated team of Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors specializing in affordable housing.
    • Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on career progression, technical training, and work-life harmony.
    • Participate in lateral partner recruiting and senior-level talent acquisition to support practice expansion.

    Required Qualifications & Background

    • Credentials: Active CPA license (or JD/LLM with equivalent tax experience).
    • Experience: 12+ years of progressive accounting, tax, or advisory experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role (Director, Managing Director, or Partner) within a public accounting firm or specialized advisory group.
    • Technical Mastery: Proven expertise in LIHTC (Section 42), HUD/Ginnie Mae guidelines, Partnership Taxation (Subchapter K), real estate revenue recognition, and cost segregation strategies.
    • Business Development Track Record: Demonstrated ability to originate new client relationships, manage a significant client portfolio, or bring a portable book of business.
    • Executive Presence: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

    What We Offer

    • Competitive Executive Compensation: High base salary, lucrative partner profit-sharing/equity distribution, and performance-based bonuses.
    • Autonomy & Resources: The national platform, technology infrastructure, and back-office support needed to seamlessly scale your practice.
    • Balanced Culture: A genuine commitment to flexibility, well-being, and sustainable leadership.
    • Comprehensive Benefits: Executive health coverage, 401(k) match, deferred compensation options, and generous leave policies.



    Numbers & Facts

    LocationChicago, IL

    Skills

    • Administrative Skillsunmatched
    • Affordable Housingunmatched
    • Alliance/Partner Marketingunmatched
    • Business Developmentunmatched
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)unmatched
    • Commercial Real Estateunmatched
    • Community Developmentunmatched
    • Conferencesunmatched
    • Customer Relationsunmatched
    • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)unmatched
    • Distribution Channelunmatched
    • Financeunmatched
    • Ginnie Mae (GNMA)unmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Loansunmatched
    • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)unmatched
    • Maintain Complianceunmatched
    • Mentoringunmatched
    • Negotiation Skillsunmatched
    • Public Accountingunmatched
    • Quality Managementunmatched
    • Real Estateunmatched
    • Real Estate Developmentunmatched
    • Regulatory Complianceunmatched
    • Revenue Recognitionunmatched
    • Risk Managementunmatched
    • Tax Accountingunmatched
    • Tax Creditsunmatched
    • Team Playerunmatched
    • Thought Leadershipunmatched

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