Director of Valuations

Hargrove MSO is hiring an experienced valuation professional to help develop a new valuation business focused on estate and gift tax planning and wealth transfers. You will initially be employed by Hargrove MSO as the business takes shape. The focus will be fair market value of closely held businesses and family LLC and partnership interests, including well-supported discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability.

This is a senior, hands-on role. You'll lead engagements from scoping through final report, work closely with estate-planning attorneys and tax advisers, and help build an efficient service with clear communication and sound professional judgment.

What you will do

• Lead estate and gift tax valuations of closely held operating businesses, family holding entities, and noncontrolling ownership interests. Address entities holding marketable securities, real estate, and private business interests, coordinating with asset specialists when needed.
• Define the interest being valued, valuation date, purpose, scope, and information requirements. Review financial statements, tax returns, ownership records, and operating or partnership agreements, and follow up on missing or inconsistent information.
• Select and apply appropriate income, market, and asset-based approaches. Develop financial adjustments, cash flow assumptions, discount and capitalization rates, comparable analyses, and a reasoned reconciliation of value.
• Develop and document fact-specific lack-of-control and lack-of-marketability analyses. Assess economic rights, governance, distributions, liquidity, and relevant restrictions with counsel as needed; select supporting evidence and avoid double counting adjustments.
• Prepare clear, defensible reports and workpapers under applicable professional standards. Take responsibility for valuation conclusions and final professional sign-off, and explain the analysis to clients, advisers, reviewers, and taxing authorities when needed.
• Establish engagement, documentation, quality-control, and review procedures. Manage deadlines and communicate scope, information needs, and progress to clients and their advisers.
• Help select valuation software and research data, build repeatable workflows, and use automation and AI thoughtfully. Maintain confidentiality, verify outputs, and retain professional responsibility for the final work.
• Help plan staffing and training as the practice develops, and coach team members on analysis, report writing, and professional judgment.

What you will bring

• Ideally 5–10 years of relevant business valuation experience, with substantial direct estate and gift tax work and a strong record of independently leading valuations of family entities and noncontrolling interests from intake through report issuance.
• Deep practical experience developing and defending discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability, including the judgment to determine when a discount is appropriate and how to support it.
• A current ABV, ASA in Business Valuation, or CVA credential in good standing. A CPA qualification is helpful, but direct valuation expertise is essential.
• Strong command of fair market value principles, relevant tax valuation guidance, and the professional standards applicable to your work, including AICPA, ASA, NACVA, or USPAP requirements as applicable.
• Strong financial modeling and research skills, careful documentation, and the ability to write reports that make the assumptions, methods, and conclusions easy to follow.
• The ability to work directly with attorneys, CPAs, business owners, and families, explain technical issues plainly, and protect confidential information.
• The judgment to maintain objectivity, raise concerns early, and support conclusions with evidence. Comfort doing the detailed work while helping build a new practice.

Additional experience we value

Experience responding to IRS valuation questions, supporting counsel in valuation disputes, reviewing other professionals' work, or developing a valuation team. Familiarity with valuation software and data platforms, and experience improving workflows, are also useful.

Why join

You'll join at the ground floor and help shape the new business's valuation methods, client experience, technology choices, and quality standards. This role offers the opportunity to build a focused practice while remaining closely involved in the technical work.

Compensation

$160,000–$180,000 annual base salary, plus a 15% target bonus and equity in a private equity-backed company.

BENEFITS

• Full-time Employment
• 401k with competitive matching
• Health Insurance
• Paid-Time Off
• Flexible Hours
• Fun coworkers and growth potential!

Hargrove Management Services Organization, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace where everyone can thrive.