Not every great accountant wants Big 4 hours or firm politics. The best Tax Managers and Audit Seniors are quietly looking — they’re not responding to job postings. They respond to direct outreach from someone they trust. I find them, and I place them at small and mid-sized CPA firms that offer real client work, real flexibility, and a real path to partnership.
How I help CPA firms
I work contingency, so you pay nothing unless I deliver. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- You get candidates who already understand public accounting. No explaining busy season, review responsibilities, or client-service expectations to someone coming out of industry.
- I position your firm as the alternative to Big 4 — the place where senior talent gets complex work without the politics and 70-hour weeks.
- I move fast. Tell me the role. I’ll tell you in 24 hours whether it’s in my strike zone and what senior talent in your market is actually looking for right now.
Roles I Fill at CPA Firms
- Tax —Tax Senior, Tax Supervisor, Tax Manager, Senior Tax Manager, Tax Director, Tax Partner
- Audit —Audit Senior, Audit Supervisor, Audit Manager, Senior Audit Manager, Audit Partner
- Leadership — Office Managing Partner, Practice Leader (industry or service line), Succession/Emerging Leader roles
Where I Work
I place Tax and Audit talent at CPA firms across the following markets:
Northeast: New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia
Mid-Atlantic: Baltimore, Washington DC metro, Virginia
Southeast: Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando
West Coast: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco
Don’t see your market? Reach out — I may have an unlisted search or active candidates in your area.
Who I Work With
My sweet spot is CPA firms serving owner-managed businesses, families, and middle-market clients — typically 20 to 500 employees. Regional and national firms welcome. If you compete on culture — reasonable hours, real mentorship, genuine flexibility — while maintaining high technical standards, we’re probably a good fit.
If you’re on the Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For, or just building something worth joining, we should talk.
If your firm is growing, navigating a partner retirement, or just tired of losing good people to bigger shops — that’s exactly the conversation I’m built for. I work fast, I work confidently, and I only take searches I can actually win.
Active Searches — CPA Firms
Right now I’m actively placing in these disciplines and markets:
| Role | Markets |
|---|---|
| Tax Manager | NYC, NJ, CT, Philadelphia, Miami, LA |
| Tax Senior | NYC, NJ, Boston, DC metro, South Florida |
| Audit Manager | NYC, NJ, CT, LA, OC |
| Audit Senior | Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tampa, Orlando |
| Tax Director | Nationwide (select markets) |
Searches are ongoing and confidential. New roles are added regularly.
For CPA Firms — Hiring:
Hiring a Tax Manager, Audit Senior, or firm leader? Share the role and I’ll tell you in 24 hours if it’s in my strike zone — and what senior talent in your market is actually looking for right now.
Contact Greg → greg@swellrecruit.com
For Candidates — Exploring:
Tired of Big 4 hours? Looking for serious client work at a firm that actually values your life outside the office? I work with firms most candidates never find on their own. Reach out — confidential conversations welcome.
Let’s Talk → greg@swellrecruit.com
Swell Recruit is a boutique executive search firm specializing in public accounting recruitment. We place Tax Seniors, Tax Managers, Tax Directors, Audit Seniors, Audit Managers, and CPA firm partners across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic — including New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the Washington DC metro area — as well as South Florida markets including Miami, West Palm Beach, and West Coast markets including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and San Francisco. Our contingency model means you pay only when we deliver.
Greg Larson, Founder — NYC | LA | South Florida.